By Betsy Bishop, President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and Charles Martin, Government Affairs Director of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce
It has been a challenging year for businesses across the country. Pandemic restrictions have significantly reduced occupancy and revenues. Small businesses in Vermont are struggling, and nearly every industry has been impacted. Some, like restaurants and lodging properties, were hit hardest. And the hits keep coming.
The pandemic, which started in spring of this year, continues, and Vermont remains in a state of emergency. This month, Vermont broke its own record for single-day COVID cases.
Throughout the public health crisis, legislators have listened carefully to businesses across the state and to the Vermont Chamber’s ongoing advocacy for swift relief.
Next week, the Legislature reconvenes, and the legislative cycle begins anew. At the Vermont Chamber, we have listened to our partners and 1,200 member businesses share their concerns, and this input has shaped our 2021 priorities.
Addressing these outlined needs is essential to ensuring the health of our local communities and Vermont’s economic future. We will continue to work with state and federal legislators, our partners, and Vermont’s business community to make progress in 2021 on these important issues.
It has been a challenging year for businesses across the country. Pandemic restrictions have significantly reduced occupancy and revenues. Small businesses in Vermont are struggling, and nearly every industry has been impacted. Some, like restaurants and lodging properties, were hit hardest. And the hits keep coming.
The pandemic, which started in spring of this year, continues, and Vermont remains in a state of emergency. This month, Vermont broke its own record for single-day COVID cases.
Throughout the public health crisis, legislators have listened carefully to businesses across the state and to the Vermont Chamber’s ongoing advocacy for swift relief.
Next week, the Legislature reconvenes, and the legislative cycle begins anew. At the Vermont Chamber, we have listened to our partners and 1,200 member businesses share their concerns, and this input has shaped our 2021 priorities.
- Additional Business Grants
- Special Help for Restaurants & Lodging Properties
- Unemployment Insurance Relief
- Increased Investment in Child Care & Broadband
Addressing these outlined needs is essential to ensuring the health of our local communities and Vermont’s economic future. We will continue to work with state and federal legislators, our partners, and Vermont’s business community to make progress in 2021 on these important issues.

Betsy Bishop is the President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, whose mission is focused on creating an economic climate conducive to business growth while enhancing Vermont’s quality of life. She lives in East Montpelier.

Charles Martin is the Government Affairs Director of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. He lives in Huntington.