Daily updates on cases of COVID-19, testing, monitoring, hospitalization and deaths. View information by town and county and see breakdowns by age, sex, ethnicity and race.
Thank you for visiting the Vermont COVID-19 Testing Registration website. This is for asymptomatic people to sign up for a COVID-19 test to tell you if you currently have a COVID-19 infection. This te...
Susan Gillian Beshara Terri Bitler Briana Clayton 🤢
Thank you Kathleen for posting this information. It's refreshing and comforting to have real information amid the chaos of all the rumors and speculation. Just to be clear on antigen tests from which these results were obtained here is what the Mayo Clinic has to say about these tests. I'm not particularly reassured about those who tested negative:
"Because these tests are faster and less expensive than molecular tests are, some experts consider antigen tests more practical to use for large numbers of people. A positive antigen test result is considered very accurate, but there's an increased chance of false negative results — meaning it's possible to be infected with the virus but have negative antigen test results. So antigen tests aren't as sensitive as molecular tests are. Depending on the situation, the doctor may recommend a molecular test to confirm a negative antigen test result."
The government is now accepting applications until Aug. 8 for forgivable loans under the Paycheck Protection Program. We have answers to some frequently asked questions about the program.
Where can I find more information about this? I clicked on the link above, and cant find any info on grants coming for sole proprietors....do you know where I can find more info? thanks!
On Friday, June 26, House Speaker Mitzi Johnson banged the gavel to bring the 2020 legislative session to a temporary close. Her gavel was probably a coffee cup, thumping down on a desk in her home ...
Several Economic Recovery Grants Overview Webinars covered eligibility requirements, grant award calculation information, grant application processes, and what documents businesses will want to have p...
On Friday, June 19, 2020, Governor Scott signed into law Act 115, “An act relating to creating emergency economic recovery grants.” Act 115 (formerly S.350) includes $70 million for Emergency Econ...
As a farm owner with a retail business to sell our products do I apply for the women's sole owner or farmer grant?
A friend posted the following and I found it to be disturbing as there are many Sole proprietors in our community that were forced to shut down and now seem to be left out to dry.
What are your thoughts?
"So Vermont is going to be releasing over 100 million $ in economic stimulus grants (from the federal government) for businesses who were adversely affected by the Covid-19 shut down. (yay!) But they for some reason are leaving out a large chunk of our business owners, sole proprietors. Thanks Vermont.
In the fine print "Sole Proprietors —businesses that are owned by a single person and do not have employees—are not eligible for an Economic Recovery Grant. Unless your business is a minority- or women-owned business, you must have at least one non-owner employee to be eligible for an Economic Recovery Grant.""
In 2012, the Vermont Legislature unanimously passed Act 148, a universal recycling and composting law that offers Vermonters a new set of systems and tools for keeping as much as possible out of the l...
Economic Recovery Grants Overview Webinar Please join the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and the Department of Taxes for a discussion and presentation on the Economic Recovery Grants ava...
All in the middle of a pandemic when take out is better than eat in. I still think grocery stores should be like Aldi's. Bag your own at the car
I always try to do my own bagging (to facilitate kitchen put-away), but will the COVID protocol continue to keep store personnel from touching our reusable bags?
Kath, one of the things that strikes me is the challenge non-profits may face in all this - primarily because the industry trend is the bulk of proceeds arriving in the last quarter of any given year. I'll be interested to see how the NGOs around the state are navigating this, as a look at the first two quarters may not be as indicative as the view forward if they had a crystal ball for Nov and Dec...
As always—good information on timely topics—we were just wondering about what to do about food waste/composting and if Casella would pick up. Thanks Kathleen.
Does the law include all food scraps? We’ve composted first years but not bones/meat, oils or dairy - because of smell and attracting wildlife we would rather not attract in order to keep our farm animals safe.
I was wondering since all schools have a Casella compost bin, why school families could not just use those?
Thanks for the reminder Kath!
Apparently if you compost at home you’ll be allowed to put meat and bones into your regular trash. Do you know how that or any of it is going to be monitored?
We are exploring the use of the Green Cone for fats, dairy, etc. Contact: mbatcher@bcrcvt.org for more information.
Kathleen James VT State Representative
13 hours ago
Great news! A drive-up test site will open tomorrow at 9 a.m. at Riley Rink as a partnership between Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and the Town of Manchester, VT. The pop-up clinic will remain open as many days as necessary and transition to Northshire Medical Center when demand slows. See the post below for detailed information. ... See MoreSee Less
Current Activity in Vermont
http://www.healthvermont.gov
Daily updates on cases of COVID-19, testing, monitoring, hospitalization and deaths. View information by town and county and see breakdowns by age, sex, ethnicity and race.Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen thank you for helping to line this up!!!!
Free?
Kathleen James VT State Representative
17 hours ago
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER STABILIZATION GRANT: APPLICATION OPENS JULY 17, WEBINAR JULY 20
Vermont’s Health Care Provider Stabilization Grant Program will launch on Friday, July 17, 2020.
The grant program utilizes up to $275,000,000 from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide direct cash grants to eligible health care and human service providers who have lost revenue and/or observed increased expenses due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The grants will be administered by the Agency of Human Services for a broad spectrum of health and human service provider types, spanning self-employed practitioners to peer services providers to hospitals. To ensure equity in the process and to encourage all eligible providers to seek funding, applicants will have four weeks to complete the application and grants will be awarded only after all applications have been received and in accordance with demonstrated need.
The Health Care Provider Stabilization Grant Program application will open on Friday, July 17 and providers have through August 15 to submit their information electronically. AHS will administer two application cycles: one beginning July 17 (for the time-period March 1, 2020 – June 15, 2020), and one beginning in October (for the time-period June 16, 2020 – September 30, 2020). If demonstrated need in the first application cycle exceeds the allocated funding amount, AHS may prioritize the distribution of funds in the first cycle.
All applications will be reviewed after the application period closes, not on a first-come first-served basis.
Funding determinations will be made based on the total need demonstrated in the applications received, subject to available funding.
Funding will be issued as one or more grant payments beginning in late-August for the first application cycle. Applicants who apply in the first cycle and remain eligible in the second cycle can update the application from the first cycle.
A broad array of health care and human service providers are eligible for funding through this Grant program. If you are a provider and are not certain if you are eligible, please use the web-based application form to inquire about your eligibility. Eligibility requirements include:
Organizations must be Vermont-based and have been in operation on/before February 1, 2020;
Demonstration of lost revenue resulting from COVID-19 and/or increased expenses due to COVID-19;
Completion of the application and submission of required substantiation documentation through the web-based application form;
Disclosure of financial relief received to date, including from federal, state, and other sources; and
Provider agreement to the terms and conditions of grant funding including those in accordance with section 601 of the Social Security Act, as added by section 5001 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
On Monday, July 20, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., the Agency of Human Services and the Department of Vermont Health Access will host a webinar to walk providers through general information about the grant application process, eligibility requirements, award determination information, and what documents provider organizations should plan to submit when applying for a Health Care Provider Stabilization grant.
Health care and human service providers are encouraged to sign up to receive an e-mail notifying them when the application is open and related updates by completing an online form. Details for attending the webinar will be located online at:
https://humanservices.vermont.gov/help-and-resourc… ... See MoreSee Less
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 days ago
UPDATED 7.14 WITH A BIT OF NEW INFORMATION:
The Vermont Department of Health has provided an update on the Manchester COVID-19 positive test results in response to inquiries from me and Rep. Kelly Pajala of Londonderry, and that statement is below. Pop-up testing is scheduled for Londonderry on July 15. Though it filled up quickly, slots have been reserved for people that the Department of Health determine need testing through contact tracing.
If tracing determines you had contact with someone at a high risk of exposure during a time when they were potentially contagious, you'll be contacted by the Department of Health within 24 hours, so pick up your phone! The DOH website has lots of excellent information about COVID testing, symptoms and the steps we should all take — including social distancing and wearing a mask at all times in public spaces. If you are experiencing symptoms, call your doctor to request a test.
I've requested a pop-up site for Manchester so more people can be served, and am waiting to hear back from the Department of Health on whether that is possible. I have suggested Riley Rink, since it successfully hosted a pop-up testing site earlier this year.
Below is yesterday's statement from VT DOH on our regional COVID test results. I hope this is helpful. At this point, I don't know anything that's not contained in the statement. Please remember that it's up to us to keep each other safe — and to treat each other with compassion. — Kath
Manchester Positive Test Results – Update from the Health Department
As of 3:00 p.m. today (July 13), the Health Department is aware of 30 positive antigen testing results from testing conducted at Manchester Medical Center. Antigen tests provide results much more quickly than diagnostic (PCR) tests, but they are not as accurate. Positive results from antigen tests are considered “presumptive positive cases” and not “confirmed cases.” They are not included in our case counts.
The Health Department is working with the people who tested positive from the antigen tests as if they are confirmed cases – we are providing guidance on isolation and conducting contact tracing. We are also working to confirm their positive result with a more accurate PCR test.
Today, Manchester Medical Center reports that many people reported there today for testing. Most are asymptomatic, however about 20 people are reporting symptoms of COVID-19-like illness. The Health Department’s Case Follow-up Team is contacting people who have tested positive to provide public health recommendations, conduct contact tracing, and share information about Health Department COVID-19 testing in Londonderry on July 15. Close contacts of those who tested positive by antigen testing are being referred to the Londonderry testing event.
Londonderry Testing on July 15
The Londonderry site is open for people in the area who do not have symptoms and would like to be tested. Registration is at
Location: Flood Brook School, 91 VT Route 11, Londonderry
Date: Wednesday, 7/15
Time: 9am – 3pm ... See MoreSee Less
COVID-19 Testing Events | Department of Human Resources
http://www.humanresources.vermont.gov
Thank you for visiting the Vermont COVID-19 Testing Registration website. This is for asymptomatic people to sign up for a COVID-19 test to tell you if you currently have a COVID-19 infection. This te...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Shauna here's the entire article
Thank you, Kath.
Would this be a drive up test?
Site is full
Karen Hughes Tatko
Susan Gillian Beshara Terri Bitler Briana Clayton 🤢
Thank you Kathleen for posting this information. It's refreshing and comforting to have real information amid the chaos of all the rumors and speculation. Just to be clear on antigen tests from which these results were obtained here is what the Mayo Clinic has to say about these tests. I'm not particularly reassured about those who tested negative: "Because these tests are faster and less expensive than molecular tests are, some experts consider antigen tests more practical to use for large numbers of people. A positive antigen test result is considered very accurate, but there's an increased chance of false negative results — meaning it's possible to be infected with the virus but have negative antigen test results. So antigen tests aren't as sensitive as molecular tests are. Depending on the situation, the doctor may recommend a molecular test to confirm a negative antigen test result."
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 days ago
Reminder: Both of these programs are now open for applications, and the rental assistance program is first-come, first served. >>>
COVID-19 RENTAL AND MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS LAUNCH
The new Mortgage Assistance Program will begin taking applications on Monday, July 13.
The program, funded by the Legislature under H.966, will help low-income Vermont homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage and are facing economic hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program will provide up to three monthly mortgage payments directly to the servicer of the mortgage with a goal of preventing future foreclosure. Administered by Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), the program is available to any homeowner who meets the eligibility criteria, and is not just for VHFA borrowers.
This program IS NOT first-come-first-served but instead will be prioritized to those who are lowest income and most at risk of foreclosure. Information is available at vhfa.org/map
Also beginning July 13: The Rental Housing Stabilization Program. This is for tenants and landlords who have been affected by COVID-19. This IS a first-come-first-served application process. Information can be found here:
https://vsha.org/rental-housing-stabilization-prog… ... See MoreSee Less
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
4 days ago
EXTENDED BENEFITS NOW AVAILABLE TO VERMONTERS ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
Montpelier – Up to 20 weeks of Extended Benefits (EB) are now available for Vermonters who exhausted all other available benefits, the Vermont Department of Labor announced today. These additional weeks were made available due to the increase in the State’s overall unemployment rate based on predetermined economic thresholds. The program will help Vermonters who are still not able to get back to work.
Regular unemployment insurance benefits provide a maximum of 26 weeks benefits, while Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), which was a component of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provides an additional 13 weeks. For regular unemployment insurance claimants that transition to PEUC, additional weeks from PEUC must be exhausted first before transitioning onto EB, if found eligible.
Claimants filing as a part of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provides benefits for those not traditionally eligible for regular unemployment insurance, are not eligible for PEUC, but may be eligible for EB. As with regular unemployment insurance claimants, PUA claimants would experience no delay in transition from PUA to EB.
For more information on the Department of Labor and unemployment insurance, go to labor.vermont.gov. ... See MoreSee Less
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
5 days ago
COVID-19 RENTAL AND MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS LAUNCH
The new Mortgage Assistance Program will begin taking applications on Monday, July 13.
The program, funded by the Legislature under H.966, will help low-income Vermont homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage and are facing economic hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program will provide up to three monthly mortgage payments directly to the servicer of the mortgage with a goal of preventing future foreclosure. Administered by Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), the program is available to any homeowner who meets the eligibility criteria, and is not just for VHFA borrowers.
This program IS NOT first-come-first-served but instead will be prioritized to those who are lowest income and most at risk of foreclosure. Information is available at vhfa.org/map
Also beginning July 13: The Rental Housing Stabilization Program. This is for tenants and landlords who have been affected by COVID-19. This IS a first-come-first-served application process. Information can be found here:
https://vsha.org/rental-housing-stabilization-prog… ... See MoreSee Less
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
7 days ago
In case you missed it: With unclaimed funds available, Congress has extended the application deadline to August 8 for forgivable PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loans through the federal Small Business Administration, and the guidelines are now more flexible.
Good article in the Wall Street Journal with an overview:
https://wsj.com/articles/… ... See MoreSee Less
PPP Loans: What You Need to Know About the Latest Changes
http://www.wsj.com
The government is now accepting applications until Aug. 8 for forgivable loans under the Paycheck Protection Program. We have answers to some frequently asked questions about the program.Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
1 week ago
GRANTS ON THE WAY FOR SOLE PROPRIETORS:
The Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development received $4.2 million in federal CARES funding in May 2020. DHCD has decided to set aside more than $1.5 million of this money to offer more than 200 individual grants, ranging from
$5,000 to $10,000, to Vermont sole proprietors, who for various reasons are not eligible for the business grants now flowing to other Vermont businesses.
Watch the DHCH website closely for details on these grants, which will be administered through the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation and the Two Rivers Regional Planning Commission.
... See MoreSee Less
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Where can I find more information about this? I clicked on the link above, and cant find any info on grants coming for sole proprietors....do you know where I can find more info? thanks!
Kathleen James VT State Representative
1 week ago
Good overview of the emergency relief bill that helps both tenants and landlords by providing $25 million in aid to both for-profit and non-profit residential property owners.
https://vtdigger.org/2020/07/… ... See MoreSee Less
Relief fund to help landlords struggling during Covid-19 eviction ban - VTDigger
vtdigger.org
A bill signed by Gov. Scott is designed to provide landlords with much-needed financial relief.Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
1 week ago
My latest column for the Manchester Journal offers an overview of key bills assembled and approved in recent weeks by the legislature. Taken together, it's the largest economic recovery package ever passed by the Vermont General Assembly.
In total, more than $1 billion of federal funding from the CARES Act is flowing into Vermont's economy to help healthcare and human services providers, businesses, farms, schools, local government, landlords and tenants — and to make targeted investments in broadband, housing and other initiatives that will help Vermont recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic crisis.
https://manchesterjournal.com/stories/… ... See MoreSee Less
Legislature: State passes Vermont's largest-ever economic recovery package
http://www.manchesterjournal.com
On Friday, June 26, House Speaker Mitzi Johnson banged the gavel to bring the 2020 legislative session to a temporary close. Her gavel was probably a coffee cup, thumping down on a desk in her home ...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
1 week ago
Applications go live at 8 am today for economic recovery grants:
https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19/… ... See MoreSee Less
Vermont Emergency Economic Recovery Grants | Agency of Commerce and Community Development
accd.vermont.gov
Several Economic Recovery Grants Overview Webinars covered eligibility requirements, grant award calculation information, grant application processes, and what documents businesses will want to have p...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Emergency Economic Recovery Grant application process will GO LIVE ON MONDAY JULY 6 at 8 am for many categories of Vermont businesses, including those that have experienced a 50 PERCENT OR GREATER DROP IN REVENUES, PLUS nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, women- and minority-owned businesses, outdoor recreation businesses.
The ACCD website has been updated with information on the paperwork you need to have ready BEFORE you apply, how grants will be determined, and also grant links for ag and dairy, healthcare providers, childcare providers, and local governments:
https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19/… ... See MoreSee Less
Vermont Emergency Economic Recovery Grants | Agency of Commerce and Community Development
accd.vermont.gov
On Friday, June 19, 2020, Governor Scott signed into law Act 115, “An act relating to creating emergency economic recovery grants.” Act 115 (formerly S.350) includes $70 million for Emergency Econ...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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As a farm owner with a retail business to sell our products do I apply for the women's sole owner or farmer grant?
A friend posted the following and I found it to be disturbing as there are many Sole proprietors in our community that were forced to shut down and now seem to be left out to dry. What are your thoughts? "So Vermont is going to be releasing over 100 million $ in economic stimulus grants (from the federal government) for businesses who were adversely affected by the Covid-19 shut down. (yay!) But they for some reason are leaving out a large chunk of our business owners, sole proprietors. Thanks Vermont. In the fine print "Sole Proprietors —businesses that are owned by a single person and do not have employees—are not eligible for an Economic Recovery Grant. Unless your business is a minority- or women-owned business, you must have at least one non-owner employee to be eligible for an Economic Recovery Grant.""
Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
The Legislature appropriated $5 million for women- and minority-owned businesses impacted by the COVID-19 economic shutdown. MONDAY, JULY 6, IS THE DAY TO APPLY for up to $50,000 in grant funding to support your enterprise.
Please check out these infographics developed by the Vermont Commission on Women to learn who is eligible to apply, as well as the documents you need to gather in advance. The funding is offered on a first-come-first-serve basis, so it's important to be ready to apply on Monday.
You can learn more here too: https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19/… ... See MoreSee Less
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
In all of the conversation about Vermont's July 1 food-scrap ban, we've focused by necessity on the nuts-and-bolts of composting and how to comply with the new July 1 law. It's also important to remember why this provision was included in Vermont's Universal Recycling Law of 2012, as one of several steps to be phased in over the course of several years: In Vermont, organic waste makes up 25 percent of a typical family's garbage, and once in a landfill, food scraps create methane, a greenhouse gas that's 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. So getting food out of landfills is an important step for climate action. Act 148 passed the legislature unanimously. The Chittenden County Solid Waste Alliance has a good overview page about this bill:
https://cswd.net/about-cswd/… ... See MoreSee Less
Act 148: Universal Recycling & Composting Law | CSWD
cswd.net
In 2012, the Vermont Legislature unanimously passed Act 148, a universal recycling and composting law that offers Vermonters a new set of systems and tools for keeping as much as possible out of the l...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
Reminder: Webinar today and first grant applications are expected to go live on Monday! In our region, the BCRC has information and can answer your questions. ... See MoreSee Less
Economic Recovery Grants Overview Webinar | Agency of Commerce and Community Development
accd.vermont.gov
Economic Recovery Grants Overview Webinar Please join the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and the Department of Taxes for a discussion and presentation on the Economic Recovery Grants ava...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
THURSDAY, JULY 2: FREE WEBINAR FOR BUSINESS OWNERS ON GRANTS PROGRAM OPENING MONDAY
The Agency for Commerce and Community Development will host an ONLINE WEBINAR on Thursday, July 2 from 3-4 pm to brief business owners and employers on how to apply for the first round of Economic Relief and Recovery Grants when the application portal opens on Monday, July 6.
Tune in to the one-hour overview, so you are prepared to apply:
https://accd.vermont.gov/content/…
A second webinar is set for Friday July 3 from 8-9 am and 11 am-12 pm (online or via phone).
This is a first-come,-first-served grants program, deploying $70 million (via bill S.350) to undergird the hardest-hit VT establishments.
This round of grants is for businesses that can document a 75% or greater reduction in revenues for any month from March-August 2020 compared to the same month in 2019.
There will be a set formula for calculation of the grant award based upon prior year revenues. The maximum grant award will be $50,000.
There will be a second tranche of funding for businesses via H.966, a bill that was delivered to the Governor on June 30. This will be for businesses with documented revenue reduction of 50% or greater over the same month in 2019
For regular updates from ACCD, please subscribe to their E-newsletter: https://vermont.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe/…
Information is also available from the Bennington County Regional Commission: Contact: Bill Colvin (bcolvin@bcrcvt.org) or Jonathan Cooper (jcooper@bcrcvt.org) at the BCRC. ... See MoreSee Less
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
REMINDER: BRING YOUR OWN BAG!
After July 1, stores and food service establishments in Vermont will no longer provide single-use plastic carryout bags at the point of checkout.
Plastic bags will be still allowed in stores and food-service businesses for containing certain small items (for example: fruits, vegetables, nuts, coffee, hardware items, frozen foods, meat, fish, prescription medications) or for laundry, dry cleaning, and other large garments.
Stores and food service establishments can sell paper carryout bags at check-out, for a minimum of $0.10 each.
Paper bags will be allowed in stores and food service establishments for packaging loose items within a store, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, coffee, grains, bakery goods, candy, greeting cards, or small hardware items.
After July 1, food service establishments will no longer offer plastic straws to customers, though they may provide straws made from alternative materials or if a customer requests a straw. Plastic stirrers are also banned, though stirrers made of alternative materials can be provided.
After July 1, stores and food service establishments will no longer provide or sell food or beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene including plates and cups, trays, egg cartons, and take-out containers. Expanded polystyrene is still allowed for trays used to package uncooked meat, fish, poultry, or seafood, products packaged out-of-state or packaged for sale out-of-state.
This is a bill that a lot of local students worked very hard to see passed. It was gratifying to see them in the statehouse — and for them to know that their voice matters. ... See MoreSee Less
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All in the middle of a pandemic when take out is better than eat in. I still think grocery stores should be like Aldi's. Bag your own at the car
I always try to do my own bagging (to facilitate kitchen put-away), but will the COVID protocol continue to keep store personnel from touching our reusable bags?
Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
Vermont businesses and nonprofits: Please make sure you're ready to apply for the economic recovery grants that will soon be released. Sign up for the ACCD newsletter, and check the websites at the Vermont Department of Taxes and Agency of Commerce and Community Development for instructions and information.
https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19/… ... See MoreSee Less
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Kath, one of the things that strikes me is the challenge non-profits may face in all this - primarily because the industry trend is the bulk of proceeds arriving in the last quarter of any given year. I'll be interested to see how the NGOs around the state are navigating this, as a look at the first two quarters may not be as indicative as the view forward if they had a crystal ball for Nov and Dec...
Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
Among many others things, H.966 — one of the broad economic relief bills that the House passed last Friday — sets aside $5 million to provide grants to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. The The Vermont Arts Council has set up a COVID-19 Creative Sector Response and Recovery page to bookmark and follow for resources and grant updates soon.
... See MoreSee Less
COVID-19 | Vermont Arts Council Website
http://www.vermontartscouncil.org
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Kathleen James VT State Representative
2 weeks ago
As most folks know: As of July 1, food scraps are banned from disposal in Vermont's landfills. While this post isn't the final word, I did want to post a few quick thoughts and resources.
1. Waste-hauling companies like Casella are required to collect food scraps from businesses, restaurants, hospitals, schools, other institutions, and apartments of four units or more.
2. However, Casella is NOT required to offer this service to its residential customers, and at this point, the company not planning to do so. They ran a pilot program and didn't see enough demand (my unofficial prediction: that will change!)
3. So after July 1, people have three choices. Most will choose to compost at home, and there is quite a bit of information about how to do this available through the Bennington County Solid Waste Alliance. That link is below. Backyard composting bins, totes and equipment are widely available to purchase at all kinds of price points.
4. If you can't compost at home for any reason, transfer stations are required to accept food scraps.
5. And finally, I'm sure that small independent haulers will be offering food-scrap pickup, or are already doing that, in our region. A great business niche!
More info availabe here:
https://bcswavt.org/programs-and-projects/… ... See MoreSee Less
Composting – BCSWA
http://www.bcswavt.org
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Thank you!
As always—good information on timely topics—we were just wondering about what to do about food waste/composting and if Casella would pick up. Thanks Kathleen.
www.instagram.com/p/CB3Y954B7AC/?igshid=tgd9bbdyzb3e&fbclid=IwAR1G0u1ZKiomPEh8ZPfq11ozNzYDioz_cI2... is killing it. Great idea - great opportunity for someone down here to set up a similar program.
Does the law include all food scraps? We’ve composted first years but not bones/meat, oils or dairy - because of smell and attracting wildlife we would rather not attract in order to keep our farm animals safe.
I was wondering since all schools have a Casella compost bin, why school families could not just use those?
Thanks for the reminder Kath!
Apparently if you compost at home you’ll be allowed to put meat and bones into your regular trash. Do you know how that or any of it is going to be monitored?
We are exploring the use of the Green Cone for fats, dairy, etc. Contact: mbatcher@bcrcvt.org for more information.
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