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Smallest businesses can still apply for Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Submitted by tim on

Vermont Business Magazine The US Small Business Administration's RRF program has received more than 147,000 applications from women, veterans, and socially- and economically-disadvantaged business owners requesting a total of $29 billion in relief funds, and more than 266,000 applications overall representing over $65 billion in requested funds nationwide.

Though the program, which was allocated $28.6 billon in funding, is oversubscribed, money remains in the $500 million carve out for the smallest restaurants with revenues up to $50,000. The application portal remains open for these businesses.

Tourism and Hospitality Worker Vaccine Clinics Announced

In partnership with the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Tourism and Marketing, the Department of Health will host walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinics for restaurant, hospitality, and tourism workers over the coming weeks. The initial wave of clinics will take place at seven locations, with each site offering Johnson & Johnson vaccines for tourism and hospitality workers on a walk-in basis. Clinics will be staged at restaurants, lodging properties, ski resorts, and other tourism attractions in an effort to bring the vaccine directly to the workers of this sector.

Scheduled Vaccine Clinics

To see all dates, times, and locations for these tourism and hospitality worker vaccine clinics, please visit the ACCD Recovery Resource Center.

More than a dozen additional clinics — including in Rutland, Killington, Stowe, and Vergennes — are being planned now and will be added as details are confirmed. If a tourism or hospitality business would like to host a clinic for industry employees in their area, please contact Amy Spear at the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.

Vaccination Now Open for Ages 12 to 15

As of today, May 13th, Vermonters aged 12 to 15 are now eligible to make vaccination appointments by visiting HealthVermont.gov/MyVaccine. Those making appointments for this age group will only see clinics with the Pfizer vaccine and parental/caregiver consent is required. To create an account (or use an existing account, adding the child as a dependent) and book an appointment, visit the Department of Health website or call (855) 722-7878.

Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program Reopened

The Vermont Housing Finance Agency is accepting applications again from Vermont homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This latest round of program funding provides grants for up to 12 months of past-due mortgage and property tax payments for eligible Vermont homeowners. For mortgage assistance, visit www.vhfa.org/map or call (888) 714-2260 to learn more and apply.

A separate rental assistance program is available through the Vermont State Housing Authority at erap.vsha.org.

New Resource to Promote Upcoming Events

The new VermontVacation.com events calendar is almost ready, and we hope businesses and event organizers can help populate it for launch to the public. If you have an event happening after May 15th, you can fill out the event submission form now so that your event will be available when the new calendar officially launches. Don’t have an event? Make sure your business is listed on the trip planning directory by signing up. Events and business listings must be tourism-related and appropriate for out of state visitors.