In his Inaugural Address, many of the policy priorities presented by the Governor reflect those that the Vermont Chamber has highlighted. Housing, workforce recruitment and retention, and valuing economic stewardship, were all key themes.

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The Vermont economy is showing signs of distress, and as the legislature convenes, they need to carefully balance current conditions with the weight of the work ahead. While proposals are worthy endeavors, the cumulative impact of these millions of dollars of new taxes and spending could overwhelm the Vermont economy.

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With 12 newly appointed committee chairs, some of whom will oversee policy that impacts the business community, there’s been a notable shift in the House and Senate leadership this session.

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With substantial turnover in both the House and the Senate, many legislators find themselves on new committees, and some committees find themselves largely made up of new legislators.

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With unemployment consistently below 3% in 2022, there aren’t enough people in Vermont to meet the workforce demand. A single solution won’t fix this problem, so it’s important to understand the potential impact of proposed strategies.

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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 complete the form linked below.

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• 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. Learn more.
• 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. Learn more.
• 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. Learn more.
• First Generation Homebuyer Program: Vermont Housing Finance Agency 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. Learn more.
• Worker Relocation Incentive Program: The program has received a high volume of applications that total more than the amount of funding available. While applications continue to be processed in the order they are received, and the program will remain open and continue to accept applications until all available funding has been distributed, applicants should understand that funding is not guaranteed. Learn more.