Membership News & Updates |
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There's plenty of news here at the Chamber with upcoming events and one new member to introduce this month. Don't miss the opportunities to promote your business.
As you'll see in this newsletter, there are many opportunities for entertainment locally and support for businesses continues to be made available.
Regards,
Rob, Maria & Amy
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May Webinar:
Using Social Media Effectively
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Thursday, May 6th
8:30 - 10:00am
Join us May 6th to learn the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of Social Media. Whether you are just starting out or looking to get to the next level, your marketing strategy is critical to your success. We can help you find your voice and share it with your target audience. Our speakers will be Mike Quinlan and Amy Crawford of Clover Ridge Media.
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May Networking Mixer
(In Person!)
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Thursday, May 20th
5:30 - 7:00pm
Please join us for our first in-person mixer for 2021! We’re looking forward to welcoming you to a safe event that follows the current health guidelines. We’ll be meeting up at the Common Ground Center a Family Camp and Retreat Center located in Starksboro on 700 acres for a fun and relaxed, socially responsible get together. Plenty of space to spread out with a large indoor hall if the weather is not ideal. There will be food and beverages as well as networking opportunities, door prizes, and the Pot of Gold drawing. Small group tours of the grounds will also be available.
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Welcome to Our Newest Members |
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We had one new members join the Chamber in the past month. Learn more about them below:
Vermont Rail Action Network - The Vermont Rail Action Network exists to convert general public support for improved rail services in Vermont into an active, organized constituency that can help lead Vermont into a new age of the train. They educate members, elected official and the public on railroad issues in Vermont, Coordinate voices to be more powerful when well-timed and unified, and Engage by bringing together public and private partners on projects to improve railroad facilities and services.
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Opportunities to Promote Your Business |
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We are gearing up for the 2021-2022 edition of the Addison County Guide and hope members will be able to participate this year.
The 64-page guide is a trusted resource for visitors and residents. Published in mid-June, the annual guide is a year-round resource to increase your visibility with both visitors and residents at an affordable price! Click the image at the right to view the online edition for 2020-2021.
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The Addison County Chamber offers sponsorship opportunities for our community events, webinars, annual meeting and mixers, plus e-newsletters, legislative updates and web pages. You can learn more in our Promotional Opportunities Guide.
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This month’s Member Spotlight features J.P. Carrara & Sons, a member of the Addison County Chamber since 1983. Read More.
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Congratulations to Our Members |
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Rokeby Museum welcomes Tucker Foltz as Education Programs Manager.
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Community News and Opportunities |
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Kick Start Middlebury has wrapped up the first round of its process to provide grants to businesses hoping to fill empty spaces in the downtown. The program received 40 letters of interest and will be inviting 12 to the next stage of the application process. The program has been a real success, and has brought in additional funding, bringing the overall program grants to $110,000. Four to five businesses will receive $20,000 grants plus several thousand more in donated services by area businesses. |
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May 4: Congregational Church of Vergennes - 12:30 - 5:00pm
May 11: Middlebury Community large drive (usually at the Legion) - CVUUS Church - 10:00am - 4:00pm
May 18: Bristol American Legion - 12:30 - 5:00pm
May 25: Vermont Cider, Exchange St, Middlebury - 9:00am - 1:30pm
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May 26: Vergennes Assembly of God Church - 12:00 - 4:30pm
May 29: New Haven Town Gym - 9:00am-1:30pm - will receive a Red Cross T-Shirt
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The Acorn Energy Co-op, is now accepting subscriptions for their new Bristol Community Solar array, planned for the closed landfill on Pine Street in Bristol. Learn more by attending one of the upcoming Zoom informational meetings:
• Thursday, May 6 at 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 12 at 7 p.m.
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'Spring Into Bristol' Loyalty Card Program
If you're in search of the perfect gift for Mother's Day, fun activities for the kids, supplies to prep your garden, fresh decor for your home, a new book to read, or someone else to do the cooking...
Then Bristol merchants have great news for you: you can find all of this–and more–when you Spring Into Bristol!
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Small Business Success Summit |
Join SCORE Vermont on Friday, May 7th for the 2021 Small Business Success Summit as they close out Small Business Week with a summit that any small business owner, or budding entrepreneur, will not want to miss - and it’s free!
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Let's share our human potential to activate change! Join the positive revolution and parade your resilience in the HUMAN POWERED PARADE in Bristol! What better way to celebrate the emergence of spring than a zany village parade! When we ride bikes, scooters, skateboards, walk, or run, we connect with our environment in a more direct way. Learn More
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Vermont Sun Half Marathon |
Sunday, May 16th
Nestled against the Green Mountains, just below Rattlesnake Point is Branbury State Park. The lake region is a most spectacular and pristine place to run. Novice and advanced athletes alike marvel the beauty of their courses and enjoy the mountains, lakes and streams of Central Vermont. Register Now
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How to Fund Your Retirement |
May 18, 2021, 6:00-6:30pm
You are invited to attend How Will You Fund Your Retirement Lifestyle, a complimentary informational workshop, designed specifically to explore the many issues faced by the owner of a closely-held business in today's economic environment.
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Zeno Mountain Farm in Lincoln, Vermont champions lifelong friendship and opportunity for people with disabilities and other marginalized communities. “Best Summer Ever” is their first feature length movie and largest project ever. The Hirschfield International Film Series brings us this refreshingly cheerful film that premiered at the 2021 SXSW Festival. Matthew Cherchio '11 was an Associate Producer and Production Manager on the film. This screening is presented with open captions. (1 hour 12 minutes)
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Summit on the Future of Vermont |
May 26 and 27, 1-5pm
The Summit on the Future of Vermont on May 26 and 27 will bring Vermonters together to consider the Vermont Proposition ‒ a framework of ideas for the future of the state, drawn from the input of thousands of Vermonters, that lays out a set of bold opportunities for our economy, communities, and environment by mid-century.
For more information and to register, visit:
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Friday Night, May 7 in Vergennes
Shops up, down and around Main are leaving the lights on and keeping their doors open to welcome shoppers into the evening.
Sweet Charity - Your Turn Resale Shoppe - Linda's Apparel - Men's Corner - lu.lu ice cream | espresso bar - Vergennes Wine & Beverage - Stone Block Antiques - The Blue Lily Clothing Co. – Malabar - Vermont Pure CBD - Kre8tive Nails - ALL will be open until 7:00pm this Friday evening.
Each purchase made (from the 10 shops) between 5:00-7:00pm gives you a chance to win a $100 Vergennes Green Gift Certificate!
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Hospitality Industry News |
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Economic Recovery Bridge Grants Announced - On April 17th, H.315 was enacted (Act 9). The Act appropriates $10 million of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to ACCD to provide priority funding to businesses that have not received prior State or Federal financial assistance. To the extent that funds remain available, the program is also intended to provide funding to businesses that have suffered a tax loss even after receiving State or Federal aid. The Act requires ACCD to post guidance for the program 10 days after enactment, and that public guidance can be found at the ACCD COVID-19 Recovery Resource Center today.
Restaurant Revitalization Fund Update - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that the application portal for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) will open on Monday, May 3rd at 12:00pm. Businesses can begin pre-registration on Friday, April 30th at 9:00am.
Work Search Requirement for Unemployment Benefits to be Reinstated - The Vermont Department of Labor announced today that the work search requirement for unemployment claimants will be reinstated beginning May 9, 2021 for all claimants in regular UI and specific claimants in the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. Claimants will be required to conduct three qualified job contacts for each week they claim unemployment insurance. Additional information and resources will be available soon.
Vermont Forward Plan metrics are on pace to move to Step 2 on May 1. Restaurants and bars move to Universal Guidance at that time.
The House Committee on General, Housing, and Military Affairs completed a detailed review of S.79, which contains a provision to establish a short-term rental registry.
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Business News & Resources |
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ACCT Offers New “Family Supportive Services” - Low- to moderate-income Addison County residents may now sign up for new levels of assistance through Addison County Community Trust. Contact Elise Shanbacker at elise@addisontrust.org or (802)877-2626 x101.
The FCC posted a new consumer FAQ on the Emergency Broadband Benefit. The FAQ provides answers to common questions on benefit eligibility, how the discount will be applied to broadband service costs, and program length. It also includes information on the enhanced Tribal benefit and the connected device benefit.
Sole Proprietor Stabilization Grant Program - A second round of sole proprietors grants from the VT Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) was recently announced. This additional funding will offer grants of between $1,500 and $10,000 to qualifying Sole Proprietors on a first come, first served basis. The application for this new round of funding will open on Monday April 5th.
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Application Opens on April 8th - Reminder that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) plans to open applications for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program (SVOG) on April 8th. Visit the SVOG application portal for the latest information, FAQs, and application information to stay up to date on this program.
Arts Council Grant Opportunities:
Artist Development Grants - Deadline: May 10, 2021. Learn more
Cultural Facilities Grants - Deadline: June 7, 2021. Learn more
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Addison County Chamber of Commerce | 802-388-7951 | www.AddisonCounty.com |
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