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Dear Neighbor:
On Tuesday April 7th the Vermont Department of Labor will hold the second in a series of Town Halls on Unemployment Insurance. This event highlights resources available for self-employed or independent contractors and process they should take to apply for unemployment insurance benefits. Details on how to connect are linked in this newsletter as well as a recording of the first Town Hall for employers.
You will also find a new tutorial on stress testing your business from R.T. Brown and we hope you are able to participate in our weekly business webinars. Join us every Friday at 2:15 pm for a Zoom webinar – we try to bring you answers to questions and point you to resources as they become available.
In partnership,
Adam Grinold
 
Executive Director
Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation
Connect on LinkedIn — call me: 802 257-7731 ext 224 — email me
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| RT Brown walks you through a tutorial on completing BDCC’s resiliency assessment. Click on the photo to go to the YouTube tutorial |
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Business Assistance – What to Consider Now?
Business owners should contact their SBA-affiliated banks to inquire about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This program supports businesses by helping to keep existing employees. If 75% of the funds are used for payroll purposes – there is the potential of partial loan forgiveness during the specified period.
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) is also available to businesses now and can work to provide low interest access to capital with the potential of an advance up to $10,000.
NOTE: These are finite resources. It is advised that businesses who are interested complete applications in order to be considered.
Review BDCC’s Business Resiliency Program’s pages and recent webinars for up-to-date information.
BDCC’s Micro-entrepreneur Loan Program is also available for businesses suffering economic injury. Use this from to learn more. |
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Virtual Town Hall Series from the VT Department of Labor
The Vermont Department of Labor held the first in a series of Virtual Town Hall events on Thursday, April 2 at 2:00pm. This first event focused on services for employers, focusing on issues around Unemployment Insurance, among other labor-related topics.
The next Town Hall will take place on Tuesday April 7th from 2-3 pm https://Labor.Vermont.gov. |
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| Recording of August 2nd Department of Labor Town Hall for Employers |
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The University of Vermont Extension Food Safety for Food Processors program has created a podcast series to capture the response by food manufacturers to the impact of COVID-19 in their companies. UVM Extension has asked Vermont-based companies to share some best practices to adjust to these unique circumstances and keep manufacturing companies open and operating safely.
This podcast link contains interviews from the following Vermont business owners:
- Peter Cooper-Ellis, owner of Hidden Springs Maple, Putney, VT
- Roger Brown, owner of Slopeside Syrup, Williston, VT
- Mark Bove, owner of Bove Brothers Milton, LLC, Milton, VT
- Calley Hastings, owner of Fat Toad Farm, Brookfield, VT, and President of the Board of Directors of the Vermont Specialty Food Association
Note: As other Vermont food manufacturers are interviewed, their podcast will be added to the link.
This series provides powerful words to remind us of the major shifts we are undergoing as a society, and the possible long-lasting impact on food manufacturing. Also, with the Vermont Specialty Food Association and the Vermont Retail & Grocers Association, UVM Extension recorded a webinar to provide answers to some basic questions about COVID-19 that can be found at this link. Should you or someone you know wish to participate in these podcasts, please contact Omar Oyarzabal, Associate Professor, Food Safety Specialist, University of Vermont Extension at omar.oyarzabal@uvm.edu or (802) 651-0054, ext. 503.
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| Comprehensive Health Information on the Vermont Department of Health Website |
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THREE THINGS TO DO RIGHT NOWLet us know how your business is impacted:
If haven’t completed an impact statement please do so here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/929SVMQ.
We need this information to understand what is happening for you, and to accurately advocate for disaster relief to businesses and employers in this region
Stress Test your business:
Find information on BDCC’s web site on how to complete a Business Resiliency Assessment “Stress Test. This worksheet is designed to help you create a plan of action for your business to weather these uncertain times.
Participate in Weekly Business Webinars
Join us every Friday at 2:15 pm for a Zoom webinar – we try to bring you answers to questions and point you to resources as they become available.
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| Is my business essential?
On Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Governor Scott issued a, “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order and directed the closure of in-person operations for all non-essential businesses.
Please be sure to read the full list of exempt businesses here. On 3/25 The Secretary of Commerce issued additional guidance on their Stay Home, Stay Safe Business FAQ page. The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) is directing businesses to use the FAQ and a NAICS Code Guidance List to self-determine if your sector and activities are essential. This form also indicates certain exemptions, please review to see if you fall under these exemptions. If you are uncertain if your activities are exempt, you may request a review here.
All business activities and workers identified in The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response dated March 19, 2020 are deemed critical to public health, safety, or economic and national security in Vermont. Businesses, organizations, or entities with workers identified in the CISA memorandum may remain operational during the COVID-19 response. However, these businesses must comply to the fullest extent possible to the Governor’s executive order concerning telework and remote work, and follow CDC and VDH guidelines. |
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