Membership News & Updates |
|
There's plenty of news here at the Chamber with a new employee and seven new members. We also have a great lineup of events in the coming month.
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
|
|
Chamber Hires New Events & Tourism Coordinator |
We are pleased to introduce Amy Djordjevic as our new Events and Tourism Coordinator. Amy is co-owner of the Strong House Inn in Vergennes and brings to the Chamber years of experience in the hospitality industry. |
|
|
|
|
Virtual Webinar:
Implementing Family Friendly Business Practices
|
Tuesday, April 6th
8:30 - 10:00am
Raising a family and caring for loved ones while holding a part or full-time job has always been a challenging balancing act. As with most things, the pandemic has brought that reality into sharp relief. What can businesses do to support their employees with families? Join us for a panel discussion with local business experts to think through the opportunities that exist for implementing new policies and practices.
|
|
Virtual Monthly Networking Mixer |
Thursday, April 15th
5:00 - 6:00pm
Please join us for our April Virtual Mixer with our friends from the Early Care and Learning Partnership, who work collaboratively with other local organizations, across health, education, social services and the business community to ensure the very best health, education and overall wellbeing for our youngest Vermonters and their families.
There will also be time for breakout conversations, door prizes and our Pot of Gold.
|
|
|
|
|
March Mixer Attendees Were Entertained and Educated |
Lisa Sacheli from Mahaney Arts Center and Mikki Lane from Middlebury College Museum of Art provided attendees with great videos, including music by Sullivan Fortner and the history of local sculpture Margaret Foley.
Jim Douglas won four tickets to events at MAC, and Kristen Ginsburg won a gift bag from the museum. The company name drawn for the Pot of Gold was Addison County Community Trust, but unfortunately they were not present to win.
|
|
Welcome to Our Newest Members |
|
We had seven new members join the Chamber in the past month. Learn more about them below:
Community Market - Community Market offers pizza, sandwiches, deli meats, hot takeout foods (a recent menu included corn chowder and beef stew), beverages, and enough competitively priced groceries that customers can save a stop at a larger market.
Edward Jones - Marc Gwinn is now representing Edward Jones in Vergennes. Marc came to Jones later in life after a diverse and many-colored career path. He has held jobs from university professor to Broadway actor to supply chain management consultant to wedding singer to financial advisor.
Otter East Bakery & Deli - Otter Creek Bakery has expanded to East Middlebury with tasty breakfasts, hearty lunches and fresh baked goods made daily.
The Arcadian - The Arcadian provides farm to table Italian food featuring Vermont producers and following the seasons. They celebrate homemade pasta and fresh seafood through the bounty of Vermont.
Haymaker Buns - Tucked along the cozy Bakery Lane is Haymaker Bun Co., a pastry shop in a modern, gorgeous space with indoor and outdoor seating next to the Otter Creek. Owner Caroline Corrente, trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, creates classic sweet, chocolate, and savory buns.
Rocker's Pizzeria - Rockers Pizzeria is intended to be a wholesome space for all. The atmosphere borders vintage and rock culture themes, as both exhibit the aesthetic and interests Jon and Arielle share. They aren’t upscale, they aren’t modern, they just want to be that ol’ pizza place in town.
|
|
Opportunities to Promote Your Business |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Bread Loaf provides Planning, Design, Pre-construction and Construction services to clients throughout Vermont, Northern New England and Northeastern New York. Rooted in their core values of commitment, innovation, integrity and respect, their integrated approach has earned them an outstanding reputation in architecture and construction. Read More
|
|
Congratulations to Our Members |
|
|
|
Kick Start Middlebury is a new incentive program to recruit business to Middlebury storefronts and other spaces left vacant after downtown construction and the pandemic. Kick Start Middlebury is offering new or expanding businesses $10,000 toward start-up costs, as well as a substantial business support package of in-kind donations of graphic design services, printing, business consulting, retrofit needs and more worth thousands of dollars.
|
|
April 7 - Wednesday - Middlebury - Park & Recreation - 8:30am to 1:30pm
April 14 - Wednesday - Middlebury - Congregational Church - 10:00am to 2:30pm
April 23 - Friday - Vergennes - Victory Baptist Church 10:00am to 2:30pm
April 24 - Saturday - Middlebury - Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints 9:00am to 2:00pm
|
|
April 29 - Thursday - Middlebury - Counseling Services of Addison County - 10:00am to 2:30pm
April 30 - Saturday - Bristol - Holley Hall - 9:00am to 1:00pm
|
|
|
|
The Acorn Renewable Energy Co-op (@acornenergycoop) is excited to announce the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation's approval of the public offering documentation for the Bristol Community Solar project. A limited number of subscriptions are now available for the community solar array planned for the closed landfill on Pine Street in Bristol.
An overview of Bristol Community Solar is on the Community Solar page of Acorn Energy Co-op's website.
|
|
Just released from the Mahaney Art Center archive: an inspired set from Aída O'Brien '20, who opened for the Joshua Pinkham Trio at the Mahaney Arts Center's Robison Hall in April 2018. Listen to "The Girl in the Blue Dress," "Come Back," "Blue Eyes," and "Mystic Water." Listen Now
|
|
|
|
|
Basin Harbor is announcing some exciting new offerings this season, including their modified Kids Club!
|
|
The exciting online monthly movie series Split/Screen resumes with its February edition, coming up April 16-25. Co-presented by the Vermont International Film Festival [VTIFF] and the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival [MNFF].
|
|
|
|
|
VT Dept of Labor Virtual Job Fairs |
Regional job fair Thursdays at 11:15am
Or call in to the regional fair using these local numbers:
- Bennington: 802-753-0802
- Middlebury: 802-377-3778
- Rutland: 802-772-0890
Conference ID: 702 981 040#
|
|
You're Invited to #Farm24VT |
The Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition and the Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance are hosting a 24-hour social media celebration of agriculture, food, and dairy in Vermont. Farmers, agribusinesses, food producers, and others will be sharing photos, videos, and stories to show the passion, hard work, and commitment that goes into bringing Vermont farm and food products to tables throughout the region.
The fun gets underway at 5:00 a.m. on May 12 and runs for a full 24 hours.
|
|
|
The Bixby Library has a few physical copies of tax documents for 2021; and is happy to print or copy tax documents upon request. Please call 802-877-2211 or email info@bixbylibrary.org to discuss your needs with a librarian.
For tax preparation help, call 802-388-7044 to set up a socially distanced appointment at either the Bristol Rescue or Middlebury Rec Hall.
|
|
|
Hospitality Industry News |
|
Restaurant Revitalization Fund - SBA announced that applicants for RRF will not need to register for a DUNS number or on SAM.gov. Learn more through the National Restaurant Association's 90-second industry update.
Tourism Dollars - Last week, the House passed the Economic Development Bill, which includes a one-time $2.5 million boost for the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing’s efforts.
|
|
Business News & Resources |
|
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:
Creation Grants - Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on April 14, 2021. Learn more.
Artist Development Grants - Deadline: May 10, 2021. Learn more.
Cultural Facilities Grants - Deadline: June 7, 2021. Learn more.
PPP First & Second Draw Webinar Wednesdays - The SBA Vermont District Office hosts free webinars from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays about the Paycheck Protection Program First Draw and Second Draw options. What is a PPP loan, terms, eligibility, and the application process. What is the difference between them? What has changed with the Economic Aid Act? Details on both programs will be presented.
PPP Forgiveness Webinars Tuesdays - The SBA Vermont District Office hosts free webinars from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays about Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness. Topics include criteria, the process, changes and more. To access the webinar, click here.
|
|
Addison County Chamber of Commerce | 802-388-7951 | www.AddisonCounty.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
