COMMERCE CONNECTION
February 2023
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Last Chance: Annual Vermont Business Economic Survey |
Help the Vermont Chamber better understand the economic issues facing your business in 2023. Take the annual Vermont Business Economic survey, in partnership with Davis & Hodgdon Associates.
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2023 Vermont Economic Conference Provides Outlook for the Year Ahead |
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce’s annual Vermont Economic Conference made its in-person return with over 200 business and policy leaders gathering at the University of Vermont for an in-depth look at national, global, and state perspectives on the economy as well as the latest economic indicators for business growth.
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Legislators of all parties, businesses from all industries, and communities across the state, agree that housing is the foundational challenge for Vermont right now. We can no longer allow state and local regulatory processes to be misused to derail housing opportunities. Multiple housing bills that address the legislative suggestions laid out here are under construction with the expectation that the Senate will take this critical topic up first.
The Vermont Chamber is collecting stories of businesses that have lost employees or prospective employees because of housing. If you are an employer who has experienced this, please share your story.
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Save The Date: Tourism Day at the State House |
Travel spending by visitors has a $3 billion economic impact annually. Join the tourism and hospitality industry at the State House on Wednesday, March 22 to raise awareness of the importance of the industry in Vermont to legislators.
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Chamber President Betsy Bishop joined “Vermont Viewpoint” this week to discuss legislative priorities, and answer questions from callers on the state of the Vermont economy.
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Elevate Your Business and Connect to Vermont Visitors |
The Vermont Tourism Marketing Program is a powerful partnership between the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing aimed at driving visitors to your business. The suite of products and services communicates your message via dynamic print and digital products, promoting your business to the 80 million people within a day’s drive of Vermont. Contact Megan Bullard or Marc Plouffe to learn more about the Vermont Tourism Marketing Program.
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State to Main: Stay Up to Date With Our Advocacy Efforts |
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Team is on the ground in Montpelier this legislative session to evaluate, monitor, and champion equitable policies that ensure the success of all Vermont businesses. With decades of experience, we have the knowledge and the relationships to make a real difference on the issues that matter most to you.
With the return to weekly editions of State to Main, each Friday you’ll have the most up-to-date information on the policy proposals legislators are talking about, how they will impact your business, what the Vermont Chamber is doing on your behalf, and how to engage on the issues that matter most to you. Read the latest edition of State to Main and stay in the loop by subscribing.
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Key Population Trends Shaping Vermont's Economy: Consumption |
In the final part of a four-part deep dive into the population trends shaping Vermont's economy, learn from our partner, the Vermont Futures Project, how consumption can impact key aspects of the Vermont economy.
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Survey: Impact of the Proposed Childcare Payroll Tax |
To aid the advocacy efforts of the Vermont Chamber during the 2023 legislative session, we are collecting information on how the proposed childcare payroll tax would impact businesses and their employees. If you or your business and employees would be impacted, please complete the below survey.
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The State of Manufacturing in January |
While inflation may have softened in December, it remains high as we begin 2023, causing manufacturers to navigate an economy in flux. The industry is facing workforce and housing shortages, persistent inflation, supply chain challenges, increased raw material costs, a looming debt ceiling crisis, geopolitical conflict, and risk of recession.
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Climate Workforce Retention Webinar: February 9, 2023 |
The Energy Action Network’s Climate Workforce Network Action Team will provide an inspiring view of low and no-cost retention techniques for climate workforce employers. The event will feature a presentation by Susan Loynd, M.A., SHRM-SCP, who is an accomplished, certified, senior human resource executive with over 25 years of experience as a business leader.
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Community National Bank President Shares Video, Warns Against Fraud And Scams |
Chamber Board member Kathy Austin, of Community National Bank, shares great insight for avoiding scams and fraudulent activity.
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Vend in the Vermont Building at the Big E |
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is pleased to invite Vermont businesses to apply to vend inside the Vermont Building at the 2023 Big E. The Vermont Building is one of six New England buildings on the Avenue of the States at the Big E, a 17-day fair and exposition which takes place each September in West Springfield, MA. During this event, which brings in approximately 1.6 million people each year, the Vermont Building hosts a variety of Vermont food and retail businesses which showcase the best of what our state has to offer. The 2023 Big E will take place September 15 - October 1.
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Trade Talk Tuesday - Registration Now Open for International Export Trainings |
Vermont businesses may now register for a series of international trade trainings conducted by export expert Mike Allocca of Allocca Enterprises. Four separate training programs scheduled in 2023 will cover international documentation and export compliance. The trainings are all virtual and take place on Tuesdays from 10am-12pm. A separate registration is required for each session and costs $50.
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Apply Now: VEDA's Short-Term Forgivable Loan Program |
Is your business still feeling the financial impacts of the pandemic? Apply for VEDA's Short Term Forgivable Loan program which will provide financial assistance to businesses that continue to experience current and ongoing harm due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The application period closes March 31, 2023.
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Apply Now: Vermont Creative Futures Grant Program |
The Vermont Arts Council is now accepting applications for Round 2 of its Creative Futures Grants to help the creative sector recover from economic losses due to the pandemic. Grants of up to $200K will be available to nonprofit and for-profit entities based on 2019 (pre-pandemic) operating revenue.
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Apply Now: Community Recovery and Revitalization Program |
Funding is intended for projects that make capital improvements or capital expansions that spur economic recovery and revitalization in communities across the state. The funding is also available for capital expenditures that support childcare and affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income households, and to establish or improve municipal water and wastewater systems to build housing or create jobs through business creation and expansion.
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Apply Now: COVID Paid Leave Grant Program |
The application window for this program is now open. Employers must demonstrate the dates each employee was out due to COVID, the total and hourly sick leave wages paid to each employee out due to COVID and provide documentation to support that the leave was due to eligible COVID-related reasons.
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First Generation Homebuyer Program |
Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) launched this program with the goal of helping more Vermonters afford their first home. This program provides a grant to eligible homebuyers whose parents or legal guardians were likely unable to pass on the generational wealth homeownership can provide.
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Vermont Chamber In Action |
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Want great exposure for your business? By sponsoring a Vermont Chamber newsletter, you can reach a target audience of over 1,800 people. Email Megan Bullard for more information on our affordable pricing opportunities.
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