Updated Sector Guidance
Be sure to check back periodically for any new updates to sector guidance information on the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order. The newest updates will be marked in red.
Guidance Clarification for Vermont Emergency Economic Recovery Grants
ACCD guidance had previously stated that all businesses receiving a Vermont Emergency Economic Recovery Grant must spend the grant money by December 30, 2020. We are pleased to clarify that if a business obtains an Emergency Economic Recovery Grant for qualifying losses incurred between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020, the awarded grant funds are not required to be spent by the business by December 30, 2020.
Technical Assistance Program Available
ACCD encourages all businesses to look into free technical assistance options now available through the Small Business Recovery Technical Assistance Program. Business support remains available in a variety of areas being provided by the state’s 12 regional development corporations, Champlain College, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Northern Community Investment Corporation, and the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund.
BIPOC Business Survey
The Vermont Partnership for Fairness and Diversity has launched a survey to gauge interest in the creation of an entity to serve the needs of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) business owners in Vermont. The entity would provide technical assistance to BIPOC business owners and assist in securing state and federal grants to support businesses in times of crisis. The survey is open until November 15th.
Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
Consider how the re-opening process and operational changes might impact compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The health and safety guidance provided by ACCD does not negate any obligations as outlined by the ADA. Refer to A Primer for Small Business for additional information.
Everyone Eats Program
Vermont Everyone Eats is a program created through federal CRF funds that works with local restaurants to help feed Vermonters who are struggling due to COVID-19. The program pays restaurants $10/meal to help feed their neighbors and there are already over 140 distribution sites around Vermont.
Simpler PPP Loan Forgiveness Application for Loans of $50,000 or Less
To streamline the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgiveness process, a simpler application for loans of $50,000 or less was recently released. More than 8,000 Vermont small businesses are eligible to use the new, simpler form. Download the PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Form 3508S.
PPP Forgiveness Webinar
The SBA Vermont District Office hosts a twice-weekly webinar to discuss Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30am – 12:30pm
- Join online
- Join by phone: (202) 765-1264; Code: 237511921#
Round Two of Healthcare Provider Stabilization Grant Program Now Open
The second round of the Healthcare Provider Stabilization Grant Program is now open. Eligible healthcare and human services providers, including those that received funding from the first round, can apply online through November 6th.
Second Round of Hazard Pay Grants Available
The new round of hazard pay grants for essential workers launched on October 28, 2020 and funds will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. The first round was limited to essential workers in the healthcare sector. This new round of hazard pay grants expands eligibility to many additional sectors including lodging, traveling nurses, janitorial services, retail and food service, childcare, and more.
Agriculture Grants Support Resources
The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets continues to offer resources to those looking to apply for grants related to farmers markets, farm to school programs, dairy, and working lands initiatives. A new series of two-minute videos is now available to help guide applicants through the application process. Many of the programs have deadlines in early November.
VBSR Small Business Resiliency Fund
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) has launched the Small Business Resiliency Fund to provide grants to small businesses who demonstrate the ability to rebuild, sustain, and grow their operations through a “triple- bottom-line” focused on people, planet, and prosperity. Grantees will receive cash awards of $10,000 and referrals to VBSR partner organizations for technical and business assistance. Further information will be made available in early November and applications will be due Monday, November 16th. For more information, visit the Frequently Asked Questions.
Mask Mandate Signage Available
ACCD has available signage for businesses, organizations, and partners to help inform that masks will be required on August 1st. The signage options also include posters to help explain why it is important to wear a mask and are part of the larger statewide mask education effort being coordinated through ACCD and the Agency of Human Services.
Restaurant Industry Survey
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Vermont Independent Restaurants, is conducting a short survey to continue to learn about the impacts of COVID-19 on the restaurant industry. Data collected will be used for continued restaurant relief and recovery advocacy work. The survey takes less than 3 minutes to complete.
Farmers' Market Relief Application Available
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets launched a new Vermont COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program (VCAAP) to address COVID-19 pandemic impacts on our agricultural communities. The VCAAP Farmers’ Market Application is open to farmers’ markets with less than $10,000 in annual gross sales. Eligible applicants can apply for up to $2,000. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 6th.
Agriculture and Working Lands Assistance
The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is accepting applications for Agriculture and Working Lands Assistance grants. A total of $8.5 million is available to help farmers, meat and poultry processors, slaughterhouses, farmers markets, agricultural food products businesses, forest products businesses, and producer associations to cover losses and expenses caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. A series of webinars will be held to walk prospective applicants through the application process and answer questions.
Restart Plan Templates Available
The Work Smart and Stay Safe initiative requires businesses that closed for 7 days or more to adopt or create a sector-specific reopening and training plan before reopening. Restart plan templates are available and can help businesses establish best practices as they reopen and train employees on safety precautions and protocols.
PPE Survey for Businesses
Various Vermont business organizations have come together to launch a survey for employers to help quantify the use, demand (current and future), and supply of masks/face coverings around the state. Participation in the survey will help inform ongoing efforts to assist Vermont employers in securing the masks/face coverings and other PPE they need to operate safely.
Recovery Resource for Communities
The Local Support and Community Action Team, a committee of the Economic Mitigation & Recovery Task Force, is developing strategies to speed long-term community recovery. Their new website shares stand-out examples of best practices and other news in the Vermont community recovery.
Archived Q&A Webinars for Municipalities
Find previous question and answer webinars with Deputy Secretary Ted Brady that covered best practices, tools, and resources for municipalities. This event series was jointly hosted by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) and ACCD.
Resources for Vermont's Creative Sector
The COVID-19 outbreak brings particularly uncertain and challenging times for Vermont's creative sector, and the Vermont Arts Council is working to enable artists and arts and culture organizations to respond effectively. Visit the Council's COVID-19 Resource Page to find information about special funding opportunities, recovery and response events for the creative sector, and how to stay connected through virtual art experiences while social distancing, and more.
Mandatory Safety Training
All employees returning to work according to the Phased Restart Work Safe Guidelines, including those already working, must complete a mandatory training on health and safety requirements as provided by VOSHA, or another training program that meets or exceeds the VOSHA-provided standard. The Department of Labor has posted training materials in both online and printable formats. Completed training certificates should kept on hand by each employer.
Business Impact Assessments
ACCD wants to hear from all Vermont businesses impacted by the response to the COVID-19 virus. Please share these impacts via the ACCD Business Impact Form, which will help us assess the full impact as we work toward solutions.
