Easing outdoor gathering guidelines aimed to help business

The guidelines for outdoor gatherings are slowly easing. On Friday, state parks reopened, and event venues are now permitted to host 150 people outdoors and up to 75 indoors — good news for wedding planners and people who present cultural and entertainment events. The new guidelines cover event venues, arts, culture, and entertainment venues, and restaurants that serve the public. The operations can’t go above the stated 75- or 150-person limit, no matter what their fire safety occupancy. And the number of … (read more)

The Scott administration announced Friday that as of June 26, restaurants, entertainment venues and other hospitality businesses will be able to open their doors to more people. The new rules set the cap for indoor establishments at 75 people and outdoor … (read more)

Despite an outbreak of COVID-19 in Winooski that now numbers 34 cases, Gov. Phil Scott and other state officials outlined a series of orders on Friday that open the door to indoor restaurant dining, increased travel and more lodging opportunities includin … (read more)

The leaders of Vermont’s House and Senate say they plan on fast-tracking grant money for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and may send an initial economic relief package to the governor’s desk by the end of next week. Last month, Gov. Phil Sc … (read more)

ADDISON COUNTY — The Addison County Regional Planning Commission (ACRPC) is preparing to apply for a Broadband Innovation Grant for $60,000 to conduct a feasibility study about how best to help unserved and under-served portions of Addison County. The COV … (read more)

BRANDON — The plan was always to come back to Brandon. And much like the U.S. Postal Service, neither rain nor pandemic would keep Janet and Joel Mondlak from their appointed rounds here. The Mondlaks lived in town for many years and raised their daughter … (read more)

SHOREHAM — As COVID-19 has closed bigger retail establishments, restaurants, hotels, lodges and inns across Vermont and the country, it’s also affected the hundreds smaller bed and breakfasts and country inns scattered throughout Vermont and New England. … (read more)

Gov. Phil Scott on Friday announced the resumption of additional business operations, including outdoor seating at restaurants and bars, hair salons and barber shops and some additional health services. “I believe these steps forward will be welcome news … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — The small town of Middlebury will have a big impact in shaping the Northeast’s economic recovery from COVID-19. Fred Kenney, executive director of the Addison County Economic Development Corp., said Middlebury has been selected as one of only … (read more)

ADDISON COUNTY — The Addison County Recovery Team is going over the results of its own survey of the local economy. The online survey garnered an impressive 275 responses from a diverse array of area business sectors, according to Fred Kenney, executive d … (read more)

ADDISON COUNTY — Anyone interested in the local economy is invited to join members of the Addison County Recovery Team at a community town hall event next Tuesday. Members of the team will share survey results and talk about next steps in the recovery pro … (read more)

Vermont retailers, closed for seven weeks to halt the spread of coronavirus, will begin a “gradual reopening” starting Monday, Gov. Phil Scott announced this week. Scott said that all employees at retail outlets will need to wear face covering and maintai … (read more)

VERGENNES — During his childhood, Vergennes resident Rodney Olsen said ice cream was a regular on the family menu. “We’d always sit around, and some of our great memories are getting a big bowl of ice cream and watching a hockey game together,” said Olsen … (read more)

If Vermont’s low rate of COVID-19 infection continues, the state’s manufacturing, distribution and construction companies will be able to reopen for business May 11 under new health and safety restrictions, Gov. Phil Scott said on Friday. Scott opened the … (read more)

The Vermont Legislature’s economist projects revenue losses from the COVID-19 crisis will triple in the upcoming fiscal year and that the state could see tax receipts drop by $430 million. Lawmakers are already contending with a massive budget gap in the … (read more)