Yesterday Speaker of the Vermont House Shap Smith announced preliminary House approval of $8.6 million for economic development investments in farming, broadband, tourism, jobs fund, business loans.
The key provisions of the bill include the following investments:
- $400,000 to the Entrepreneurs’ Seed Capital Fund
- $3,165,000 for broadband expansion
- $1,200,000 for workforce training
- $400,000 for tourism and marketing
- $1,000,000 to support the Vermont Agricultural Credit Corporation, the Farm to Plate Program, and Farm to School Program
- $500,000 in aid to businesses affected by the Champlain Bridge closure
- $1,700,000 to the Vermont Jobs Fund
- $300,000 to Micro-Business and IDA programs
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The bill, S.288, passed through second reading 139-0 this week. It will be read for final passage today before being sent to the Senate for reconciliation.
Information from Tom Cheney, assistant to the Speaker of the House.