Grant program expands for businesses

A busy summer day in downtown Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

More Vermont businesses can now apply for pandemic relief grants after the state expanded eligibility for the funding. 

This change is likely to be welcome news for some sole proprietors who found themselves unable to access the Economic Recovery Grants when they were unveiled earlier this summer.

Under the original eligibility criteria, a business was required to have at least one W-2 employee who was not an owner of that business. Starting Monday, businesses with at least one W-2 employee — now including those who are an owner — were also eligible.  

Gov. Phil Scott announced the change, hoping it would aid recovery efforts. 

“Businesses of all sizes are doing everything they can to survive under the difficult circumstances caused by this pandemic, and it’s our responsibility to step up and support them in the recovery,” Scott said in a statement on Monday afternoon.

Commerce Secretary Lindsay Kurrle said efforts to help these business operations will continue. 

“Even with this expansion of the program we know sole proprietors without a W-2 employee will still be in need of assistance, and we will work with the Legislature to develop solutions upon their return,” Kurrle said. 

Lawmakers resume their work on Aug. 25, looking to address a state-budget revenue gap of over $300 million. Many hope the next federal stimulus bill will supply more aid to businesses, the unemployed and also state governments. The recovery grants mentioned above were funded by the first pandemic relief bill out of Washington, the CARES Act, passed in March. 

The need for a new federal relief bill can't be overstated. Despite some progress from the weekend, major stumbling blocks remain in the ongoing negotiations, including the enhanced federal unemployment benefits which recently expired. 

Amid recent challenges, Monday's announcement about Vermont's recovery grants was good news, which will hopefully help more small businesses get through the upcoming months. We're also hopeful that Vermonters' hard work and steady resolve will be greeted by better news out of Congress later this week. 

— Gareth Henderson