Thursday, October 15, 2020

Read on for:
Shop Local and Save with "Real Bucks" | Watch Our Annual Meeting | Virtual Policy Series | Updated PPP Guidance | ReVTA Program |  Explore Rutland County | Career Hub | Events & Workshops

Shop Local and Save With "Real Bucks"

Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region has partnered with five economic development organizations from across the Rutland Region to present the "Real Bucks" program. From October 12 through November 12, individuals who spend $30 or more at participating businesses and ask to use “Real Bucks” will receive $10 off their total purchase (while supplies last). 

This program was made possible through a Restart Vermont Regional Marketing Grant to benefit businesses in our local community that have been impacted by COVID-19.

Participating businesses in Rutland and its surrounding towns include:

Real Rutland Bucks

Brix Bistro | Bueno Burrito | Countryman’s Pleasure | Franklin’s | Hand Carved by Ernie | Little Harry’s | Maxie’s Deli | Roots the Restaurant | Southside Steakhouse | TASO on Center |  The Palms

Real Killington Bucks

Alpine Bike Works | Aspen East Ski Shop | Backcountry Café | Casey’s Caboose | Darkside Snowboards | First Stop Ski Shop & Board Barn | Flannels Bar & Grill | JAX Food and Games | Killington Market | Liquid Art Coffeehouse & Eatery | Still on the Mountain – Killington Distillery | Sushi Yoshi | The Foundry at Summit Pond | The Garlic

Real Brandon Bucks

Across the Street | Blue Moon Clothing & Gifts | Blue Seal | Brandon Florist Shoppe | Café Provence | Carr’s Gifts | Foley Brothers Brewing | Forest Dale Grocery & Deli | Gourmet Provence | Neshobe River Winery | Red Clover Ale Company | The Home Shop

Real Poultney Bucks

Analog Cycles | East Poultney General Store | Hermit Hill Books | Mart’s Sporting Goods | Otto’s Cones Point General Store | Perry’s Main Street Eatery | Picket Fence Antiques | Poultney Auto | Reclaimed Barnwood | Taco Experiment | The Original Vermont Store | Williams Hardware

Real Castleton Bucks

Birdseye Diner | Blue Cat Bistro | Castleton Pet Supply | Castleton Pizza Place & Deli | Castleton Village Store | Ice House Bar & Grill | Lake Bomoseen Lodge & Taproom | Michelle’s Sweet Creations | Special Effects Salon | Sunrise Family Restaurant | Third Place Pizza & Lounge

Learn more about the "Real Bucks" program and see a full list of participating businesses → 

Watch Our Annual Meeting 

On Wednesday evening, we celebrated our 2020 Annual Meeting. More than 150 people joined us for our drive-in event, which recognized the individuals and businesses working to make the Rutland Region the best place to work, live and play. 

At our annual meeting, we recognized our 2020 annual award recipients:

Business Leader of the Year: Matt Levandowski, President & CEO – Heritage Family Credit Union

Community Leader of the Year: Nancy Greenwood, Sales Associate – Watson Realty & Associates PLC. 

Innovator of the Year: VT Terps

Thank you to our Signature Sponsors: Cape Air, Heritage Family Credit Union, GE-Aviation, and Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region. 

Thank you to our Supporting Sponsors: VELCO, Foley Services, Casella Waste Systems, People's United Bank, Omya, Watson Realty & Associates, Carpenter & Costin, Killington Resort, The Bank of Bennington, AM Peisch, and Rutland Regional Medical Center. 

Virtual Policy Series 

Presented by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the Virtual Policy Series will bring together government and business leaders to get questions answered, provide personal access to key Vermont leaders, and bring attendees up to speed on important policy.

This event will feature Congressman Peter Welch and kick off a series exploring federal and state actions impacting our business community, economic relief, and other topics. Our guest speakers will answer questions from members of chambers of commerce across the state and our staff will moderate.

Please note this event is available at no cost for members of chambers of commerce across the state. 

Register for the Virtual Policy Series today! → 

Updated PPP Guidance 

The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. This action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

SBA and Treasury have also eased the burden on PPP lenders, allowing lenders to process forgiveness applications more swiftly.  

SBA began approving PPP forgiveness applications and remitting forgiveness payments to PPP lenders for PPP borrowers on October 2, 2020. SBA will continue to process all PPP forgiveness applications in an expeditious manner.

View Updated PPP Guidance → 

ReVTA Program

The Restart Vermont Technical Assistance Program (ReVTA) will provide technical assistance to hundreds of Vermont businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19. The state’s regional development corporations (RDCs) have been tasked with deploying $1.17 million in technical assistance funding which was provided through the federal CARES Act. 

The program will leverage a regional and statewide network of technical assistance (TA), providers. TA includes, but is not limited to, assistance for business operations, financial management, digital and marketing strategies, architecture, and design, reconfiguring products or processes, updating safety measures, technology and software consulting, and legal or professional services. 

Each RDC will deploy a Recovery Navigator to work one-on-one with local businesses and determine what form of technical assistance is needed. The Navigator, client business, and TA provider will develop a scope of work appropriate to solving the client’s issues. The cost of the work will be covered by ReVTA. The program is expected to assist more than 250 businesses with awards averaging $3,000. All funds need to be spent by December 4, 2020. 

A website has been created for businesses to register to provide assistance as well as those interested in receiving assistance. More details, eligibility requirements, and registration forms are available at vermonteconomicdevelopment.com. 

Contact Rutland Region Recovery Navigator Tyler Richardson with questions. 

Register as a vendor or to receive technical assistance → 

Explore Rutland County: Killington

The Town of Killington is a small mountain community that embodies the “work hard, play hard” mentality. Killington is home to Killington Ski Resort, offering four-season outdoor recreation. In the winter months, Killington welcomes thousands of visitors from across the country who come to ski and ride the largest ski area in the eastern United States. The Beast of the East features seven distinct mountain areas, including Killington Peak, the second-highest in the state at 4,241 feet.

Explore Killington and plan your day trip today! → 

Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region's Career Hub features full-time jobs across Rutland County that provide a salary higher than the Vermont living wage.