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​Grants for recruiting workers, low-cost financing, State House to Farmhouse

Submitted by tim on

New Relocating Worker Grant

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Demand for employees in a wide range of occupations remains high in Vermont, as in the rest of the country. Vermont’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.1 percent in June, well below the national average, and employers are offering higher than average wages, signing bonuses and other perks to assist with recruitment.

To further assist businesses as they look to hire, the Vermont Department of Economic Development has launched the New Relocating Worker Grant, which is now open and accepting applications.

New Vermonters who relocate after July 1, 2021 and accept a full-time position with a Vermont employer in specific occupations are currently eligible to apply. These new grants build upon Vermont’s previous relocation incentives and offer reimbursement for eligible relocation expenses — such as closing costs, first month of rent and moving supplies — up to $7,500.

This is a great opportunity for people who are interested in relocating to Vermont to start, advance or make a career change.

Learn More Here

The Northern Vermont Recovery Loan Fund (NVRLF) from the Vermont Community Loan Fund provides no-cost/low-cost debt financing, along with business advisory services and other supports to help alleviate the economic disruption caused by COVID-19. NVRLF finances businesses in diverse sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, forestry & wood products, and others. To be eligible, organizations must be located in Caledonia, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, or Orleans counties.

The Cleaning & Sanitizing Resources for Your Business (SCRUB) project is hosting a series of virtual workshops focused on cleaning and sanitizing strategies for produce farms. Learn from experienced growers and UVM Extension experts about topics including bins, doing more with less, floors, wash water, employee management, and bubblers. These participatory "Twilight Highlights" will take place Wednesday evenings from:

September 1 through October 6.

This online training course offers an in-depth study of backyard composting. Participants will learn about the many different ways to turn food scraps and yard trimmings into compost for healthier, nutrient-rich soil. Two options exist for completing the course. The first, Track 1, is only open to VT residents and requires a special application process. The second option, Track 2, is open to anyone and is designed to be self-paced. The cost of the course is $50 for VT residents and $150 for out of state participants.

Course Dates: Sept. 10 - November 12

Join Rural Vermont at the 4th annual State House to Farmhouse. State House to Farmhouse is a series of events held at farms throughout the state. Events are designed as opportunities for farmers, farmworkers, and policy makers to build relationships and engage in rich dialogue about how policy can support a resilient and equitable agriculture that benefits all people, communities, and landscapes. This event is primarily designed as a gathering for farmers, farm workers and Vermont legislators. RSVP encouraged.

Events Happening: September 9 - 13

Source: 8.29.2021 Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets https://agriculture.vermont.gov