President Donald Trump approved Vermont’s Covid-19 disaster declaration Wednesday, two days after Gov. Phil Scott requested federal disaster funds to assist the state’s response to the pandemic.
With Trump’s order, Vermont is now eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance and disaster relief which provides a 75% reimbursement to state and local governments — and some nonprofits — for “emergency protective measures,” including actions taken to save lives and protect public health.
The state reports it has already spent more than $20 million on “response costs” to the crisis.
The president’s announcement also opens up the $862,000 in Emergency Preparedness grants for Vermont, which are included in the $2 trillion CARES Act.
–Kit Norton
