Sole Proprietor Grants Available Beginning 7/20/2020
An economic relief grant program has been announced which will provide grants of $5,000, $7,500, or $10,000 to qualifying sole proprietors through a lottery draw. The program is funded through $1.6 million from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s CDBG Program and passed through the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD). The application window will open Monday, July 20, 2020, and grants will be awarded through a lottery system on August 14, 2020.
There are two specifically designated organizations that will be administering this program: Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) and Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC). Full details can be found on the program portal https://www.vermont-cdbg-cv.com. That includes the program breakdown, eligibility requirements, application materials, and timelines, as well as technical assistance and FAQs.
COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program Now Open
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets (AAFM) is now accepting applications for the COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program for dairy producers and processors that have experienced income loss, additional expenses, and market disruption as a result of the pandemic. The funding, $25 million, is available for businesses through the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund.
For details about the application process, eligibility, and upcoming educational webinars on the program, visit the AAFM website https://agriculture.vermont.gov/covid-19-information/vermont-covid-19-agriculture-assistance-program/dairy-assistance-vermont-covid
Economic Recovery Grants Update
Last week, the Vermont Department of Transportation awarded $33 million in grants to Vermont businesses. Grant payments from ACCD are expected to go out starting this week. There is still money available and time remains to apply. Funds are available to Vermont businesses that can demonstrate a revenue decline of at least 50% in any one-month period from March 1, 2020, to August 31, 2020, when compared with the same month in 2019. The Economic Recovery Grants landing page https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19/economic-recovery-grants has full details, including eligibility requirements, document preparation instructions, and a series of FAQs https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19/economic-recovery-grants/faqs to assist businesses in completing the application.
