COVID-19 Update

ACEDC's Latest COVID 19 Updates

First and foremost, ACEDC urges all businesses and their employees to follow the latest guidance from the Vermont Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

The most current information can be found here: healthvermont.gov/COVID-19 

Stay up to date with Business and Community Resources. Visit our COVID-19 Business and Community Resource Page or sign up for our email updates

For technical assistance, contact:

04.30.2021

New Round of Vermont Business Recovery Grants Available Soon

On April 17, 2021, H.315 was enacted (Act 9). The Act appropriates $10 million of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to the Agency of Commerce to provide grants to businesses that have not received prior State or Federal financial assistance. To the extent that funds remain available, the program is also intended to provide funding to businesses that have suffered a tax loss even after receiving State or Federal aid. To view the program guidance, click here.  Further guidance, information regarding the launch date for the program, application portal, FAQs, and translated versions of materials will be posted soon. The application portal will be live in early June 2021.

Grants for Sole Proprietor Businesses Still Available

The second round of sole proprietor grants are available. This additional funding will offer grants of between $1,500 and $10,000 to qualifying sole proprietors on a first-come, first-served basis. The application for this new round of funding opened on April 5th. Click here for the program information, application and technical assistance. 

SBA Restaurant Revitalization Grant Program Portal Opens May 3

The SBA announced today that they will begin pre-registrations at 9 a.m. EDT April 30 and open for applications at noon EDT May 3 for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted. 

For the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize funding applications from businesses owned and controlled by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. All eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as the portal opens. Following the 21 days, all eligible applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, visit sba.gov/restaurants or in Spanish at sba.gov/restaurantes.

SBA Vermont District Office Hosts Free Webinars on Restaurant Revitalization Program 

The SBA’s Vermont District Office is hosting a free webinar at 9:am on Tuesdays and Thursdays on the Restaurant Revitalization Program. Topis will include an overview of the program, eligibility, and the application process.  To access the webinar, click here. (Direct link: http://ow.ly/YFWn50EswnL). To access the webinar by phone, call 202-765-1264 and enter code 981035922#. For more information, email brian.declue@sba.gov.

SBA Shuttered Venue Grant Program Portal is Open

The SBA has completed rigorous testing and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal reopened on Saturday, April 24. Interested applicants should register for an account in advance through the portal.  


04.21.2021

Table 21 Launches Second Round of Middlebury Business Relief Grants

Table 21, a Middlebury non-profit distributing an anonymous donation to benefit Middlebury area businesses has announced a second round of grant applications This round will prioritize small retail and services businesses. Maximum grant amounts will be $10,000.  Applications are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 23, with awards being distributed the first week of May.  Click here for information and the application.

Kick Start Middlebury Launched

Kick Start Middlebury is a new initiative that welcomes any and all ideas from businesses and entrepreneurs that will add to a vibrant Main Street mix, provide residents and visitors with experiential opportunities, and bring new energy and jobs to the downtown. Kick Start Middlebury offers packages of valuable start-up incentives to at least three to five applicants to locate a new or expanded operation in Middlebury. Each package includes free or discounted services and products donated by area businesses, a $20,000 cash grant made available by the Town of Middlebury and donations from the Rotary Club of Middlebury and Table 21, as well as various benefits provided by property owners. More than a cash prize and valuable start-up services, the initiative offers business support, coaching and connections that will help all applicants advance their ideas. Click here for more info and to apply.

Vermont Forward Plan

On April 6, Governor Scott released the Vermont Forward reopening plan to help Vermonters and local businesses see the path for a phased return to unrestricted travel, business operations, and event gatherings. The plan was developed by the Department of Health, the Department of Public Safety, and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and uses vaccination milestones to ensure a safe easing of personal restrictions and continued reopening of the state's economy. The three-step plan offers a roadmap and guidance with the goal of lifting most restrictions by the 4th of July. For plan details, click here. To view an April 14 webinar on the plan, click here

Governor and Legislature Debate Best Allocation of Discretionary Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

Much of the $2.7 billion that is coming to Vermont from the recently passed ARPA legislation is going directly to individuals, schools, municipalities, etc (see our March 16 COVID Update for a complete list).  But the Governor and the legislature have discretion on how and when to allocate about $1 billion of those funds over the next three years. The legislature took a rather unprecedented step of allocating about $64 million of those funds in H.315 without debate or public input, which was one reason Governor Scott let the bill go into law without his signature. The legislature is working on several other pieces of legislation that will allocate more of the Vermont ARPA funds: H.159, a Community and Economic Development bill, which currently contains another $10 million for additional business recovery grants; H.360. a bill to improve connectivity and high-speed broadband; and the FY22 State Budget bill, H.439. Governor Scott released his proposal to allocate these funds on April 6. Click here to view his proposal.  With the legislature poised to end the 2021 session by May 14, they may have to reconvene in late 2021 or wait until the 2022 session to make final decisions on the allocation of all ARPA funding. 

Another Round of Vermont Business Recovery Grants Approved

With the passage of H.315, the legislature approved another $10 million in business recovery grants. The Agency of Commerce will release eligibility criteria and rules within the next 14 days, so watch these updates for release of the application portal address and rules. One thing we know for sure is that the application will require that you have filed a 2020 tax return for the business that applies, so take that step now. The legislation limits eligibility, but additional funding is expected to be allocated soon, so we are recommending that any business with a remaining financial need file an application to get in the queue.

Vermont Sole Proprietor Grant Program Reopens

A second round of sole proprietor grants are available. This additional funding will offer grants of between $1,500 and $10,000 to qualifying sole proprietors on a first come, first served basis. The application for this new round of funding opened on April 5th. Click here for the program information, application and technical assistance. 

Cultural Facilities Grants Available

Cultural Facilities Grants are being offered by the Vermont Arts Council. Applications for awards of up to $30,000 to Vermont nonprofit organizations and municipalities to increase the physical capacity to provide cultural activities for the public are now being accepted through June 7th. Click here for information and to apply. 

Vermont SBDC Offers Business Financial Literacy Series

Working knowledge of your business financials (and how to navigate the information they provide) is your greatest tool for sustained success. Nothing else will give you a more accurate assessment of how your business is doing. Yet the finances of the business is often one of the biggest challenges. Know Your Number$ is a series of advisor/accountant-guided modules that introduces the basic financial statements and how to use them. The modules are short, with specific examples, and can be used as an introduction if you are completely new to the financials or as a review if you have a working knowledge you would like refreshed (no matter what sector or stage of business). Each module is designed to assist you in confidently achieving your data-driven business goals. Click here to access the series.

Amtrak Service in Vermont Resumes July 19

The Vermont Agency of Transportation has announced the upcoming resumption of Amtrak service in the state. Visitors and Vermonters alike will soon be able to travel between East Coast cities and Vermont. The Vermonter connects Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Hartford, and stops in Massachusetts and New Hampshire to one of nine Vermont communities. The Ethan Allen Express links New York and Vermont via the scenic Hudson River Valley. Current safety protocols include contactless boarding and enhanced surface cleaning, and trains are equipped with onboard air filtration systems. Additionally, all change fees are waived for reservations made by September 6, 2021, allowing greater flexibility with travel plans.

SBA Program News:

  • Paycheck Protection Program Deadline Extended: The deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been extended until May 31st. The Vermont District Office of the SBA continues to offer two weekly webinars on First and Second Draw PPP loans and PPP loan forgiveness. ACCD encourages businesses to sign up for their newsletter to get the most timely updates to the PPP and Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program.
     
  • Taxation of PPP is being debated by the Vermont legislature: H.315, which was passed by the legislature and Governor Scott allowed to become law without his signature, includes a provision to tax PPP loans that are forgiven in 2021. (Loans forgiven in 2020 are not taxed).  The legislature is taking further testimony on the issue. ACEDC has signed on to a joint letter to the legislature and has communicated with the Addison County delegation asking that this provision be reversed. 
     
  • COVID-19 EIDL Deferment Period Extended: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced extended deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022. All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2020, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12-months to 24-months from the date of the note. All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2021, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12-months to 18-months from the date of the note.
     
  • The SBA's Shuttered Venue Program launched in early April but the application portal suffered technical issues. They aim to reopen the portal by the end of the week of April 18, 2021As soon as the exact date is confirmed, they will provide advance notice. Also, they are updating the applicant user guide and FAQs to further clarify information and will post those here in advance of the application portal opening. Applicants may continue to register for an application portal account here.
     
  • The SBA Announces Restaurant Revitalization Fund Application & Guidelines: On April 17, the Small Business Administration announced key details about application requirements, eligibility and a program guide for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The RRF will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenueloss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding if funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023. The SBA site (www.sba.gov/restaurants) is live and has both a sample application and a program guide. We strongly encourage Vermont restaurants, brew pubs, food trucks, coffee shops, bars and all other potential applicants to look through this website and get their documents ready.
  • Restaurant Revitalization Fund Webinar 9am April 22: The SBA Vermont District Office is hosting a free webinar at 9 a.m. April 22 about the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. To access the webinar, click here(Direct link: http://ow.ly/YFWn50EswnL). To access the webinar by phone, call 202-765-1264 and enter code 981035922#. For more information, email brian.declue@sba.gov.
     

03.31.2021

Sole Proprietor Stabilization Grant Program Opens April 5; Attend Webinar April 1

A new round of grants for Sole Proprietor businesses will open for applications on April 5. Webinar training for potential program applicants will be available on April 1st. All applications must be submitted online. To learn more about the program visit the program web site: https://www.vermont-cdbg-cv.com/. Beginning on April 5 th at 9:00 AM, the site will also allow applicants to sign up. 

SBA Shuttered Venue Grant Program Set to Begin Accepting Applications April 8 

The US Small Business Administration is slated to begin accepting applications for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant on April 8 and has launched a portal, www.svograntportal.sba.gov, for this economic relief program. Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. Reserved is $2 billion for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees. Eligible entities may be live venues, promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organizations, museums, movie theaters, and talent representatives. To ensure eligible venues do not miss a window to receive assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program, the American Rescue Plan Act also amended the SVOG program so entities that have applied for and received a PPP loan after Dec. 27 can also apply for an SVOG.  The eligible entity’s SVOG would be reduced by the total loan amount of any PPP loans (First and/or Second Draw) approved after Dec. 27.  If a SVOG is granted, that entity is no longer eligible to apply for a PPP loan.  A dedicated SBA website, www.sba.gov/svogrant, includes frequently asked questions, video tutorials and other SVOG details.  To prepare in advance of the SVOG application portal opening  April 8, potential applicants should get registered in the federal government’s System for Award Management, www.sam.gov, as this is required for an entity to receive an SVOG, and reference the preliminary application checklist and eligibility requirements. 

PPP News

  • Congress passed and the President signed HR1799 to extend the PPP application deadline to May 31, 2021. The bill also allows the SBA until June 30, 2021 to process all of the applications that are in the pipeline.  If you have questions, contact your lender. 
  • Forgiveness Application Deadline: The more-simplified PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Process (expected in mid-March) has not been released as of today. Anyone who received a First Draw PPP in the early weeks of April of 2020 should check their dates and contact their lender to begin the forgiveness process. 

Ongoing Vt SBA PPP Webinars

PPP Forgiveness Webinars Tuesdays:

The SBA Vermont District Office hosts free webinars from 11:30 a.m.  to 1 p.m. Tuesdays  about Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness. Topics include criteria, the process, changes and more.

To access the webinar, click here. To access the webinar by phone, call 202-765-1264 and enter code 986 011 495#.

For more information, email susan.mazza@sba.gov.

PPP First & Second Draw Webinar Wednesdays:

The SBA Vermont District Office hosts free webinars from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays about the Paycheck Protection Program First Draw and Second Draw options. What is a PPP loan, terms, eligibility, and the application process. What is the difference between them? What has changed with the Economic Aid Act? Details on both programs will be presented. 

To access the webinar, click here.  To access the webinar by phone, call 202-765-1264 and enter code 142 718 62#.

For more information, email susan.mazza@sba.gov.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) News

  • The US SBA made the following announcement on an increase in the cap of the EIDL amount from $150,000 to $500,000: “Some loans approved prior to the week of April 6, 2021 will be eligible for an increase based on new loan maximum amounts announced March 24, 2021. Businesses that received a loan subject to the current loan limit do not need to submit a request for an increase at this time. SBA will reach out directly via email closer to the April 6, 2021 implementation date to provide more details about how businesses can request an increase.”  Read more. Businesses should consider that the EIDL program offers loans (not forgivable).  As always, businesses should consider the impact of acquiring additional debt on your business.  For assistance, confer with your CPA, ACEDC, or a Vt Small Business Development Center Advisor (https://www.vtsbdc.org/covid-19-lending/)
  • The US SBA also announced extended deferment periods for all COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL program), until 2022.All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2020, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12-months to 24-months from the date of the note. All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2021, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12-months to 18-months from the date of the note. Read more. 

03.16.2021

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Signed into Law
Congress has passed and the President signed the next COVID relief legislation allocating $1.9 trillion for relief.  Additional resources will come into Vermont through competitive programs, unemployment insurance benefits, and other means, but Vermont will directly receive an estimated $2.7 billion. See below for an outline of the legislation organized by where the dollars will go and what the funds are for. Many thanks to our Congressional Delegation for their work on this bill. 

ARPA, Funds to Vermont Through Government Entities:

  • $1.052B to the State, most to be allocated by the Administration and General Assembly
  • $19M to "Metro Areas" (Burlington)
  • $57M to other "non-county" regions
  • $121M to Counties (Since Vermont does not have county government, these funds will flow through the State)
  • $113M to the State for capital projects

ARPA, by Use of Funds:

  • $1.35 billion from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (see above). Includes $113 million for infrastructures such as broadband and $197 million for Vermont municipalities.
  • $731 million in Direct Economic Impact Payments to Vermonters
  • $293 million for Vermont K-12 Schools
  • $152 million for Rental Assistance
  • $65 million for Vermont Colleges and Universities
  • $50 million for Homeowner Assistance
  • $47 million for Childcare Subsidies and Support for Childcare Providers
  • $27 million for Vaccine Distribution
  • $20.7 million for LIHEAP (Federal heating assistance)
  • $14.3 million in Public Transit Funds
  • $7.9 million for Burlington Airport and Vermont State-Owned Airports

The Act also includes $28.6B in direct relief for restaurants and an additional $1.25B for the shuttered venue program, nationally, administered by the USSBA. The Act expands eligibility for the PPP and adds over $7B for the program. The Act did not extend the PPP beyond March 31, 2021, but Congressional sources report that there will be a follow-up bill to extend the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) beyond March 31.

Click here for a Title-by-title Summary of the ARPA.

 

03.04.2021

Webinar Series: PPP Updates for Your Small Business
The Small Business Administration has some key changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) which will be available for a limited amount of time to ensure America’s smallest businesses get exclusive access. If you are a small business owner with 20 employees or less or are self-employed; there is new information for you. Please join us for a series of webinars hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Public-Private Strategies Institute, & other stakeholders to hear about:

  • What steps you can take now to take advantage of this special opportunity, which closes at 5:00 P.M. EST, Tuesday, March 9th, 2021.

  • Additional changes and recent policy announcements made by Biden-Harris Administration

  • Have your questions answered by SBA Leadership

Schedule

Mar. 3, 12:30 p.m. ET, Women Business Owners, Click here to register.

Mar. 4, 3:00 p.m. ET, Asian-American + Pacific Islander, Native American + Tribal Small Business Owners;  Click here to register.

Mar. 5, 1:00 p.m. ET,  Black + African-American Small Business Owners, Click here to register.

Mar. 5, 3:00 p.m. ET, Hispanic Small Business Owners, Click here to register.

Mar. 6, 2:00 p.m. ET, Veterans, Self-Employed Business Owners, Click here to register.

Mar. 8, 3:00 p.m. ET, LGTBQ Business Owners, Youth Entrepreneurs, Restaurant Owners, Click here to register.

01.29.2021

Middlebury Non-Profit Offers Grants to Local Restaurants and Farms
Table 21 is a Middlebury non-profit with a mission to provide grants to local farms, restaurants and small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Table 21 welcomes grant applications from any farm, restaurant, or small business in greater Middlebury, Vermont that has experienced a negative impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the intention of Table 21 to prioritize grants that will strengthen the applicant businesses, strengthen and assist the Middlebury food network, and support the community. Initially, preference will be given to applications from restaurants located in Middlebury and farms in and around Middlebury. Future rounds may consider other types of small businesses within and around Middlebury. Applicants must use this application. Grant applications will be accepted through February 15, 2021, and grants will be distributed to selected recipients on or around March 1, 2021. Grants up to $25,000 will be awarded to eligible and selected applicants. 

GRANT CRITERIA: 

Applicant business:

  • must be a for-profit business entity;
  • must be headquartered in Vermont;
  • that is a farm must have a physical location in or around Middlebury and provide goods and services to greater Middlebury.
  • that is a restaurant or other type of small businesses must have a physical location in Middlebury, Vermont;
  • must be registered with the State of Vermont;
  • must not currently be in bankruptcy;
  • must have been established on or before March 15, 2020;
  • must be open at the time of grant distribution or have a plan to reopen in 2021;
  • must be able to substantiate need due to a loss of business or other negative impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic; anmust be able to demonstrate that the grant funds will be used by the applicant business to mitigate the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
     

Applications will be accepted from any Middlebury area farm and Middlebury-based restaurant or small business. However, for initial awards, priority will be given to applications from restaurants and farms that:

  • Demonstrate that the funds will be used to mitigate negative COVID-19 pandemic impacts and strengthen or reopen the applicant business through, for example, expenditures on the cost of goods sold and/or wages and salaries of employees.
  • Demonstrate substantial community involvement such as volunteering, donations to non-profit organizations or community events, and efforts to buy local. 

Access the Table 21 Grant Application here.

COVID Pandemic Recovery Webinars:

Weekly State Business Update:

Join the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development for a weekly webinar series focused on health and commerce pandemic updates for the business community. Decision-makers from the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, the Vermont Department of Health, and the Vermont Department of Public Safety will provide updates and be available to answer your questions. This webinar is designed for business owners and organizations that primarily serve businesses.

To help us serve you better during the webinar, please consider submitting your questions ahead of time. Businesses joining the webinar by phone must enter their questions using this link ahead of time, as only those participating via the Microsoft Teams online platform will be able to ask real-time questions. Participants can submit anonymous questions via the webinar’s online questionnaire.

To link to the weekly webinar, go here: https://accd.vermont.gov/calendar/list 

Weekly SBA PPP Webinars: 

The SBA Vermont District Office hosts free webinars from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays about the Paycheck Protection Program First Draw and Second Draw options. What is a PPP loan, terms, eligibility, and the application process? What is the difference between them? What has changed with the Economic Aid Act? Details on both programs will be presented. 

To access the webinar, click hereTo access the webinar by phone, call 202-765-1264 and enter code 142 718 62#.

For more information, email susan.mazza@sba.gov.

PPP Forgiveness Webinars Tuesdays

The SBA Vermont District Office hosts free webinars from 11:30 a.m.  to 1 p.m. Tuesdays  about Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness. Topics include criteria, the process, changes and more.

To access the webinar, click here.  To access the webinar by phone, call 202-765-1264 and enter code 986 011 495#.

For more information, email susan.mazza@sba.gov.

 

01.12.2021

Business Provisions in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

The COVID relief bill passed by Congress on December 22 contained many benefits for businesses including the extension of existing programs and the allocation of new funds. 

Here is a summary:

COVID EIDL Advance Payments (Grants) Available for Certain Businesses

The bill makes available a direct grant from the SBA for businesses that have under 300 employees, have suffered a reduction in gross receipts greater than 30%, and are located in "low-income communities." The only area in Addison County that meets the location criteria is the City of Vergennes. The portal to apply for an EIDL Advance (grant) is expected to open on January 17, 2021.

COVID-19 EIDL (Loan) Application Deadline Extended To Dec. 31, 2021

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that the deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for the COVID-19 Pandemic disaster declaration is extended to Dec. 31, 2021.  EIDL loan applications will continue to be accepted through December 2021, pending the availability of funds. Loans are offered at very affordable terms, with a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses and 2.75% interest rate for nonprofit organizations, a 30-year maturity, and an automatic deferment of one year before monthly payments begin. Apply online using ONLY the SBA portal here.

Payroll Protection Program
The new program offers two applications

  • First Draw PPP for new borrowers.
  • Second Draw PPP for any business that received a PPP in 2020. 

The program will open by categories of lending institutions as follows

  • The program will be open in two rounds via Community Lending Institutions (such as VEDA (https://www.veda.org/ppp-program ), Credit Unions, Farm Credit System Institutions and Insured Depository Institutions

OPEN - 1/11/21 for First Draw Loans for NEW PPP Borrowers.

OPEN - 1/13/21 for Second Draw Loans CERTAIN EXISTING PPP Borrowers.

  • The PPP will open to ALL Participating lenders shortly thereafter.
  •  If you are interested in applying for a First Draw PPP and your local lending institution is not doing these loans, you can call the Vermont SBA office at (802) 828-4422 (M-F 8:00 am to 4:30 pm).    

The first two Interim Final Regulations (IFRs) were issued on 1/7/21 about the PPP Second Draw Program:

Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Program as Amended by Economic Aid Act

Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Program Second Draw Loans

All IFR’s on the previous PPP programs for reference is here

Shuttered Venue Operator Grants 
(Also known as the "Save Our Stages" grants) The bill includes a new $15 billion grant program through which the U.S. SBA will provide aid to struggling live venue operators and related businesses. The grants will offer a critical lifeline for the nation’s performing arts venues, movie theatres and museums. Read more about the program and eligibility. The grant portal has not yet opened. We encourage organizations and businesses who may be eligible to begin preparations. To that end, the Vermont Arts Council is hosting an online session about the Grants from 1-2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. Darcy Carter and Susan Mazza, the director and deputy director of the Vermont District Office of U.S. Small Business Administration, will share information and answer questions. Register for the Vermont Arts Council's Save Our Stages Online Informational Session. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join the meeting. Unable to attend? Register anyway and they will send you a link to view the recording.

Unemployment Insurance Programs under the CARES Act have been extended. Programs include Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), and the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program, which has been reinstated to provide an additional $300 per week to claimants. Full details and updates to these programs are available at the Department of Labor website.  

Employee Retention Tax Credit

This is a very complicated tax credit, made even more complicated by the new COVID relief bill. Businesses should confer with their accountant/CPA.  

Wednesday State of Vermont Business Webinars

The Agency of Commerce is hosting COVID-related informational webinars every Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. for businesses. For information click here. The topic of the January 6 webinar was the newly-passed COVID relief bill. To view the slide deck from the webinar, click here

PPP Forgiveness Webinars Tuesdays & Wednesdays

The SBA Vermont District Office hosts free webinars Tuesdays and Wednesdays about Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness. Topics include criteria, the process, changes, and more.

PPP Forgiveness Webinars Tuesdays
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Click here to access the webinar link.

To access by phone, call 202-765-1264 and enter code 986 011 495#.
PPP Forgiveness Webinars Wednesdays
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Click here to access the webinar link.
To access by phone, call 202-765-1264 and enter code 984 055 02#.
For more information, email susan.mazza@sba.gov.

What a COVID Vaccine Will Mean for Vermont Businesses 
On January 13 at 9:00 a.m. Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine and Dept. of Financial Regulation Commissioner Michael Pieciak will discuss the impact a COVID-19 vaccine will have on Vermont’s businesses and workforce and share their predictions for the year ahead. This event will be moderated by Betsy Bishop, President, Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Register Here

Signage for Businesses
As a reminder, the State has signage available for businesses and communities to help educate customers and visitors with guidance and restrictions in place. New signage has been added to reiterate specifically the need to quarantine for those returning to the state, or for those who are visiting the state. You can find the signage at the ACCD COVID-19 Recovery Resource Center.