Vermont Tourism Industry Update

Vermont Tourism Industry News

ECONOMIC RECOVERY GRANT MAXIMUM AWARD INCREASED

On Tuesday, it was announced that the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) and the Department of Taxes would increase the maximum grant award for Economic Recovery Grants for businesses most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic including lodging, retail, hospitality, arts, travel and event affiliated sectors that have continued capacity constraints.

Previously, businesses could receive up to $50,000 in grant funds. Now, businesses in eligible industries can receive up to an additional $100,000 in grant funding, for a total of $150,000 from the program. The increased maximum award is available both to new applicants to the program and to those businesses that have already received a $50,000 grant.

All businesses that received a $50,000 grant award from the Department of Taxes are eligible to request an increase to the new maximum award amount and can do so through the MyVTax portal now. On Monday, August 24, 2020 ACCD will be contacting eligible businesses that already received a $50,000 grant notifying them that supplemental grant funding may be available.

If a business has not applied for a grant yet, you can still do so at the ACCD website. The grant program was also recently expanded to include businesses with at least one W-2 employee – including those who are an owner. This change refers to S corps, C corps, and LLCs.

RESTART VERMONT REGIONAL MARKETING AND STIMULUS GRANTS

ACCD has launched the Restart Vermont Regional Marketing and Stimulus Grant Program. The program will provide $500,000 in grants to organizations for efforts and activities related to economic recovery, consumer stimulus, marketing, or tourism projects to support businesses that have suffered economic harm due to the COVID-19.

Eligible applicants include downtown organizations, chambers of commerce, regional development corporations, municipal economic development/community development departments and committees, local community/economic development organizations, statewide business organizations, or other similar groups.

The application window is now open and the deadline to apply is August 31st. For full eligibility requirements and application process, please visit the ACCD Business Recovery Resource Center.

An informational webinar about the program is being held TODAY, Thursday, August 20 at 3:30pm. A recording of the webinar will be posted on the website for future reference.

TOURISM INDUSTRY SURVEY

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of the tourism economy in Vermont. To help VDTM quantify the impact across the industry -- from lodging to retail and restaurants to the arts -- we are asking for your participation in a survey. Having accurate impact data will help inform additional recovery strategies going forward. VDTM hopes you will take a moment to help us understand the economic loss and seasonal trends by filling out the survey and sharing it with industry partners or businesses to fill out as well. Responses are requested by Friday, September 4th.

TRAVEL QUARANTINE FAQ'S

As mitigation efforts continue to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Cross State Travel Map is updated weekly to allow for quarantine free travel from counties with a similar case load to Vermont. ACCD has fielded many questions about the map and quarantine rules that are in effect and compiled them in a new FAQ Section on the website.

Visit VermontPartners.com for industry research, media, and more.

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