Hello Business Owners of the Deerfield Valley,

Today, Governor Scott said at his briefing that he expects additional opening guidelines, including limited indoor dining for restaurants, by the end of the week. He also said that he expects expanded allowances for our hospitality properties in the very near future as well. The Governor declared the official formation of the VT Racial Equality Task Force, saying that he hopes to have members appointed shortly.

Last week, Scott announced additional limited openings for close contact business, dentists, and in-home services. The press release and updates from his press conference can be seen HERE . In addition, Scott has said that sleep away camps could operate throughout the summer and would be used as a way to determine how incoming traffic from out of state could be addressed. He also added that updates would be coming from the ACCD regarding the opening of gyms, indoor arts/entertainment, and flea markets. Any changes in the phased restart plan can be seen on the ACCD website under their Sector Specific Guidance page.

As of June 1st, social gatherings (barbecues, family gatherings, private parties, etc) have been increased from a gathering of 10 to 25 people. This new guidance does not effect the maximum capacity of dining or retail establishments. Also, the mandatory 14-day quarantine still applies to these functions.

The Governor stressed again that while our numbers are among the best in the country, that it is not possible to claim "victory" over the COVID-19 pandemic. There is continued caution regarding out of state visitors due to rising numbers just a short drive from our borders. The Department of Financial Regulation released an interactive map showing the severity of cases within 1 to 5 hours drive from VT. You can see the interactive map HERE .

The State Legislature is still trying to work through the details surrounding the Governors proposed $400 million Economic Relief Package . While more details around the plan have been announced, it has not yet been voted on. There is obviously a sense of urgency at the State level to get it through, but it could still take a number of different forms before all is said and done. We will be monitoring the progress of the package and share any updates we receive with you as they are available.


Some updates since last week...

In Order Below

Updated SBA Guidance 701

Workshop for On-Street Retail and Dining
Tuesday 6/2 with
Governor's Task Force

DVRT Restaurant Resiliency Call
Scheduled for Wednesday 6/3

DVRT "Marketing Moving Forward" Call
Scheduled for Thursday 6/4

Video: Restaurant and Retail Resiliency Calls from Last
Week Available Now

Letter to Governor and Secretary Kurrle on Behalf of
the Chambers and our Lodging Businesses

Proposed Vermont Economic Recovery Package from Phil Scott

Restart Plan Templates for Gyms, Golf Courses,
Real Estate, Restaurants, and Retail Available from ACCD

Please Share Your Marketing Updates with Us

Update from Congressmen Welch Lodging Round Table

Deerfield Valley Rescue Benefit BBQ
@ The Roadhouse

PPPFA Bill Passes U.S. House

Previous Updates
Updated SBA Guidance 701
Our friend Deb Boudriaeu at the VtSBDC has provided us with the most current updates to the SBA CARES Act funding, including EIDL and PPP. It has been updated to reflect the impending changes that will come when the Governors Economic Recovery Package is passed.

Workshop for On-Street Retail and Dining
The Local Support and Community Action Team of the Governor’s Economic Mitigation and Recovery Task Force is offering an online workshop about re-configuring outdoor spaces in Vermont towns for safe dining, shopping, biking and walking. The free webinar will happen Tuesday, June 2nd at 12:00pm and  registration  is required.
REMINDER: Restaurant Resiliency Resource Call
Wednesday June 3rd, 10AM (Please note earlier time)

We moved the time of the call up to 10 am so we can all listen to the Governor's update at 11.

As we creep closer to indoor dining, let's address selling the experience of dining out with social distancing / doing it well:  From renewing guest confidence, setting up the dining room, moving to touchless dining, training staff and more there will be lots to discuss.

We would also like to invite all local restaurants to join a Google Groups forum for Deerfield Valley Restaurants and continue the conversations that are started via these calls. Everyone has received an invite, so just respond and you'll automatically be added. Or if you don't see the invite, you can  Email Meg  and be added.
A full schedule of our remaining Deerfield Valley Covid-19 Business Resilience Webinar Series is now up  HERE

(This information will provide access to the next Restaurant call as well)
REMINDER: "Marketing Moving Forward"
Thursday June 4th, 9AM
Join information   HERE

Join marketing guru, entrepreneur, and 7th-generation Vermonter Jack Derby for a stimulating discussion. Topics covered will include finding new markets and customers, using shorter marketing lead times, marketing safety, and more. We think this call will be of special interest to lodging businesses, but it is sure to spark an ongoing conversation among the many local businesses operating and marketing themselves within a tourism economy. Let's learn how to do this together!
Video: Restaurant and Retail Resiliency Calls from Last
Week Available Now
Last week, the Deerfield Valley Resiliency Team hosted Zoom calls for our Restaurant and Retail businesses as a part of our sector specific resiliency guidance webinar series.

Keith Arnold spoke to our Restaurant owners covering a wide range of topics including selling the experience to your customers, renewing guest confidence, and training and guidance for your staff.

On Thursday, nationally recognized retail consultant Lyn Falk spoke to our retail businesses about how to move forward with retail in the world of COVID-19.

Both of these calls are now available for viewing below:
Restaurant Resiliency Call 5/27
Retail After Covid- 19: Still Providing a Powerful Customer Experience - 5/28
Letter to Governor Scott & Secretary Kurrle on Behalf of the Chambers and our Lodging Businesses
A letter has been drafted on behalf of Lodging establishments and Chambers around the State calling for revised guidelines for out of State lodging. Our Chamber has signed on in support of the letter which is due to be sent June 1. The hope is that the Governor and ACCD will take into account the immediate needs of our Lodging community while maintaining the health and safety of Vermonters.

While each item requested would not be required of each establishment, it may open the door to getting visitors back. More Chambers around the State have signed onto this letter since the original draft was proposed. You can see the letter HERE .
Proposed Vermont Economic Recovery Package from Phil Scott
The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development has provided updated information on the Governors proposed Economic Recovery Package. Again, please note that the package has not been voted through the Vermont legislature at this time, but this update provides more clarity on how the program could be run.

Restart Plan Templates for Gyms, Golf Courses,
Real Estate, Restaurants, and Retail Available from ACCD
Restart plan templates are  now available  for  construction ;  golf courses ;  gyms and fitness centers ;  manufacturing , distribution and warehousing ;  real estate sales and leasing ;  restaurants ; and  retail establishments . These plans can help businesses establish best practices as they reopen and train employees on safety precautions and protocols.
Please Be Sure to Share Your Marketing Updates with the Chamber
The Chamber would like to remind you to send any information you would like shared either via email or social media as you all are in the process of reopening.

  • Offering take-out or curbside pickup?
  • New Hours?
  • Expanded online sales?
  • Running a special?
  • Gift cards?
  • Anything!

We are happy to share any and all info to support your business in any way we can. While we do our best to speak with as many of you as we can on a regular basis, it is important that you let us know if there is something you would like sent out for you.
Please send all information to Eric@VisitVermont.com
Priorities Surface at Lodging Town Hall with Congressman Welch
Congressman Peter Welch heard from over 80 businesses in the state’s lodging sector and Chambers from around the State during a virtual Vermont Chamber Town Hall about how COVID-19 is affecting Vermont’s lodging properties.

The May 26 Town Hall was an opportunity for lodging businesses to further Congressman Welch’s understanding of COVID-19’s impact, share ideas, and help shape what future assistance will look like. There was a resounding consensus among lodging proprietors and Chamber representatives that the industry has been decimated by the economic downturn resulting from the health crisis and that more needs to be done to help these Vermont businesses survive.

Lodging industry representatives urged Congressman Welch to advocate for changes to the Paycheck Protection Program and unemployment insurance. They also asked for consideration of tax credits, and liability protections.
Deerfield Valley Rescue Benefit BBQ
@ The Roadhouse
Congress Advances Paycheck Protection Program Changes
The U.S. House passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA), which would enact changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). If passed into law, the bill would extend the eight-week period businesses have to use PPP money to qualify for loan forgiveness to 24 weeks and also change the requirement that at least 75 percent of PPP funds be used for payroll expenses.

The new ratio would enable businesses to use up to 40 percent of PPP funds on costs unrelated to payroll. The bill was a compromise extracted from the previously passed HEROES Act , which met considerable opposition in the U.S. Senate and is not expected to advance.

In order to become law, the bill must still pass through the U.S. Senate and be signed by the President. We will closely monitor this bill and be sure to update you on its progress.
Previous Updates
If you have missed any of our previous updates to businesses, be sure to check out the News Section on the home page of VisitVermont.com . Here you will find all the important updates we've sent and links to videos of the Chamber COVID-19 Town Hall meeting and the sector specific calls that have already been held.
Don't forget to reach out to us if you have questions or concerns at any time, we are here to help. Contact the Chamber , Wilmington Works , or either of the Economic Departments of Dover or Wilmington for assistance.
Stay healthy and stay awesome, Deerfield Valley
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(802) 464-8092