Vermont Chamber Testifies on Impacted Tourism Industry
Latest Business Relief Proposal Includes Vermont Chamber Priorities
Local Chambers Call for Relief
VDTM Highlights $10 Million Marketing Proposal
Act 250 Reform Remains in Limbo
Resource Roundup
In Case You Missed It
Vermont Chamber Testifies on Impacted Tourism Industry
Amy Spear, Vermont Chamber Vice President of Tourism, testified this week in the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on the ongoing impact of pandemic related restrictions and the economic downturn. Amy briefed the Committee on many of the specific challenges facing tourism industry businesses, with a focus on lodging properties and restaurants, and advocated in support of the lodging and restaurant rescue package recently proposed by the Scott Administration. As written, the Administration’s proposal would provide $133 million in relief funds, including $23 million for businesses left out of relief programs created in June and $50 million for the hospitality industry. The Committee spent much of the week reviewing a draft bill that, if passed into law, would authorize the additional funds. You can watch the full testimony here.
Latest Business Relief Proposal Includes Vermont Chamber Priorities
Officials from the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) testified in the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on the status of existing relief programs and on Governor Scott’s most recent economic relief proposal. Deputy Secretary Ted Brady, one of the witnesses from ACCD, forecast that relief dollars in existing programs would be drawn down to zero within the next three weeks. Deputy Secretary Brady went on to break down the latest relief proposal, explaining to the Committee that, if advanced by the Legislature, the $133 million proposal would be divided into four categories, including a $50 million Targeted Hospitality and Tourism Grant Program that would specifically serve industries most impacted by the pandemic, $23 million for an expanded business grant program designed for businesses left out of the initial State relief package, $10 million for economic development and marketing to promote Vermont tourism and encourage safe travel to Vermont, and a $50 million consumer stimulus buy local program. In the period between the Legislature’s adjournment in June and the current legislative session, the Vermont Chamber advocated for the advancement of additional funds for existing relief programs and for a set-aside program that would serve industries most impacted by the pandemic. As the August and September legislative session unfolds, the Vermont Chamber will continue pushing for additional, meaningful relief to address the unprecedented hardship facing Vermont’s business community.
Local Chambers Call for Relief
Carol Lighthall, Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, and Eric Friedman, Executive Director of the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce, testified in the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development in support of a proposal to provide $1 million in relief to local chambers of commerce, many of which have seen decreases in revenue as a result of the economic crisis impacting their member-businesses around the state. The two chamber executives briefed the Committee on the many services local chambers continue to offer small businesses, explaining that in many cases chambers are waiving membership fees and offering technical support and advocacy resources to struggling businesses for free. Over the last several months, chambers of commerce have worked to ensure the Vermont business community is well represented and able to navigate the federal and state programs providing resources to COVID-19 impacted businesses.
VDTM Highlights $10 Million Marketing Proposal
The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) briefed members of the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on a $10 million proposal intended to amplify marketing to promote tourism and encourage safe travel to Vermont. VDTM Commissioner Heather Pelham explained to the Committee the funds would be used to support the long-term promotion of Vermont’s brand and to attract visitors from regions the Vermont Department of Health has deemed safe.
Over the 2020 Legislative Session, the Vermont Chamber led advocacy efforts for additional State marketing dollars, pointing out that Vermont falls far behind other states in New England in our investment in tourism marketing. In June, the Legislature provided additional funds to the VDTM for related purposes, and the Administration’s latest proposal would build upon the earlier investment to aid Vermont’s economy and strengthen our tourism industry in the future.
Act 250 Reform Remains in Limbo
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy continued discussions related to their latest Act 250 proposal. The current proposal under review includes encouraging provisions that would largely remove municipal areas of enhanced designation from Act 250 jurisdiction. If implemented, these changes would encourage sustainable economic development and aid in economic recovery from COVID-19 impacts. The current proposal also includes several concerning provisions that could significantly increase the scope of Act 250 jurisdiction, including sections related to forest fragmentation and rules that would bring newly constructed roads and driveways totaling more than 2,000 feet into Act 250 jurisdiction.
The Senate Committee on Finance also met to review fee structures related to Act 250 with a specific focus on a proposed section that would provide the Department of Fish and Wildlife the ability to bill applicants for costs of personnel and services expended by the Department on a major Act 250 permit. While this section does allow for the allocation of costs to be appealed to the Natural Resources Board by the applicant, the appeals process and the fee itself have the potential to increase costs related to Act 250.
The Vermont Chamber will continue working to ensure communities, both urban and rural, do not suffer negative economic impacts because of any final changes to Act 250.
Resource Roundup
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Enroll Your Business in Gift Card Program
We are encouraging Vermont businesses to enroll now in the new Buy Local Vermont Gift Card Program intended to increase sales for local businesses. #BuyLocalVermont is a program created by the State of Vermont that uses CARES Act funding to aid Vermont businesses and residents struggling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The #BuyLocalVermont program promises to bring in the foot traffic needed to quickly increase sales for restaurants, retail stores, entertainment and performing arts venues, lodging, and tourism related businesses. -
New Tourism Planning Tool Launched
While the Vermont Chamber continues to push for much-needed relief for the hospitality industry, we have also been working to develop an improved directory on VermontVacation.com to help position the industry positively during the trip planning process. Developed in collaboration with the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing with user experience at the forefront, the new directory is a planning tool with easy navigation and direct-booking capabilities for featured listings. Learn more about the new directory and explore the new tool on VermontVacation.com. -
Vermont Futures Project Releases White Papers on Vermont Taxing Dilemma
Like so many private businesses and non-profit organizations, the State of Vermont currently faces a deep budget deficit due to the onset of a global pandemic. The response to revenue losses due to COVID-19 will be long-lasting. The Vermont Futures Project believes that the time is now to take a broader look at our current tax structure and how it impacts Vermont’s economic performance for our long-term economic security and sustainability. This paper from The Vermont Futures Project addresses Vermont Taxing Dilemma: A Long-Term View. -
The American Cancer Society of Vermont is Recruiting Community Leaders
The American Cancer Society (ACS) of Vermont is recruiting male community leaders for their 2020 Real Men Wear Pink of Vermont. With the spread of COVID-19, breast cancer patients are more vulnerable than ever. Involvement is focused on making an impact so ACS can continue to conduct research and keep vital patient and caregiver resources available during this difficult time. To apply or nominate someone, connect with Heather Winther at heather.winther@cancer.org, 802.872.6325 or register for 1 of 2 Networking Sessions on September 3rd.
In Case You Missed It
- Vt. Chamber Government Affairs Director Testifies on Governor’s Budget Proposal
- Vt. Futures: Now Is the Time to Rethink Taxes
- #BuyLocalVermont Program Created by State of Vermont
- Lawmakers Promise to Push for State College ‘Bridge Funding’ in State Budget
- Durkee: Extended Road to Recovery for Commercial Real Estate
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