
Vermont Business Magazine A recipient of one of the largest Shuttered Venue Operator Grants awarded in Vermont is scheduled to host its grand re-opening Thursday evening in Burlington.
The Vermont Comedy Club, founded and owned by Nathan Hartswick and Natalie Miller in 2015, was awarded a $408,319.65 SVOG.
The SVOG Program is overseen by the Small Business Administration and its purpose is to provide emergency grants to eligible live venues affected by COVID-19. More than $16.2 billion was appropriated for grants via the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act and the American Rescue Plan Act. Eligible applicants could qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue up to a maximum amount of $10 million for a single grant.
Miller said she had a range of emotions when she was notified in July that the Vermont Comedy club was awarded a grant.
“Relief, excitement, finally. I had so many emotions and so many things were running through my mind when I read we were receiving funding. I knew then we were going to be able to reopen and get back to doing what we love to do,” said Miller.
![]() |
Intro To VT PTAC Sept 8
Join the Vermont Procurement and Technical Center for a webinar a 11 a.m. Sept. 8 to learn how experienced procurement counselors can assist businesses to navigate the sometimes challenging processes of government contracting
VT PTAC is a government-funded program assisting Vermont businesses to pursue and perform government contracts with the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, state and local governments and with government prime contractors. VT PTAC provides a wide range of free services including individual counseling, proposal assistance, marketing opportunities, training and networking events.
To register, click here.
![]() |
SBA Grants for Global Expansion Sept 9
Join the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of International Trade for a 20-minute discussion on about the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant at 2 p.m. Sept. 9. Listen to small business explain how STEP assisted with global expansion. A Q & A will follow the presentation.
To register, click here.
Staying Sane in Your Business Sept 9
It's no secret that running a business is hard work, but how can we make it less stressful? Join the Center for Women and Enterprise Vermont at 10 a.m. Sept. 9 to learn how small business owners can identify stress and implement techniques to manage it.
Akshata Nayak, a CWE Core Counselor & Instructor, will be leading this workshop. Having just launched her third business, she is an experienced entrepreneur and has many tips and techniques to help manage stress as a small business owner. Akshata is also a nutritionist at her clinic Alternative Roots Wellness Center in Essex and works to help people manage stress through nutrition and lifestyle choices. Join us to learn more about what stress is, how to identify it, and the best ways to mitigate it in your business.
To register, click here.
![]() |
WEOC Save The Date: Oct 23
The Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference is scheduled for Oct. 23. The 24th annual event will be a virtual conference in 2021 and is scheduled to run from 9 to 11 a.m.
Topics include woman-owned businesses that made it through the pandemic, balancing work and personal life and Vermonters accessing federal recovery support that helped keep businesses afloat.
For more information about WEOC, click here.
![]() |
EIDL Applications Still Being Accepted
The SBA continues to accept COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications from all qualified small businesses, including private nonprofit organizations.
The COVID EIDL program is a federal small business loan program which provides economic relief to small businesses and nonprofit organizations experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to the pandemic.
An EIDL can be used for working capital, payroll, health care benefits, rent, utilities, and fixed debt payments. The loan amount equals 24 months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.
The terms are as follows:
- Fixed 3.75% for businesses
- Fixed 2.75% for nonprofits
- 30 years
- No pre-payment penalty or fees.
To apply for an EIDL, visit https://covid19relief.sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955.
Source: SBA Vermont District Office Montpelier 9.1.2021
www.sba.gov/vt




