Did taxpayer funds designated for business relief reach those in genuine need? A recent report by Vermont Auditor Doug Hoffer questions the allocation of COVID relief funds. During the pandemic, Congress allocated over $1 billion to Vermont, with tens of millions aimed at supporting businesses. Two specific programs, the Capital Investment Grant Program and the Community Recovery and Revitalization Grant Programs, received over $50 million from state lawmakers to assist businesses impacted by COVID restrictions and to promote long-term investments. Hoffer’s report examined 30 businesses and nonprofits, raising concerns about the necessity of the funds for all recipients. He noted that the Agency of Commerce and Community Development lacked adequate controls to ensure proper distribution of the funds. Hoffer indicated that some businesses would have pursued upgrades and investments regardless of receiving the grants, while others had substantial reserves, receiving funds despite having 20 times that amount in their accounts.
Postal workers rallied in Montpelier on Tuesday, advocating for change. Members of the American Postal Workers Union gathered at the Statehouse to protest privatization, mail delays, and service reductions. The union highlighted staffing shortages and national neglect as detrimental to post offices. Senator Peter Welch attended the rally, voicing concerns about the absence of a post office in the Capital City more than a year after flooding closed the Federal Building and its USPS facility. Although plans for a new facility in Montpelier’s City Center have been underway for months, a timeline for its opening remains unclear.
Vermont Senator Peter Welch has introduced a bill addressing concerns over FEMA’s slow response to summer flooding. The FEMA Operational Transparency Act aims to audit the agency and suggest methods to lower administrative costs. In a recent letter to FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell, the Vermont congressional delegation highlighted that high staff turnover and inconsistencies are hindering flood recovery, leaving many towns and individuals awaiting reimbursements. They also urged the agency to delegate more responsibilities to local officials in affected areas.
The Vermont Department of Libraries is distributing $15.9 million in ARPA grants to 14 public libraries statewide. These one-time funds will support essential building upgrades to enhance high-speed internet access for work, education, and health monitoring. The Department emphasizes that the COVID pandemic underscored the vital need for reliable internet access in daily life.
Killington Ski Resort’s recent investors have disclosed their forthcoming plans for the mountain. This new ownership group, which assumed control on September 27, has announced an intention to invest $30 million in what they term “capital improvements” on the slopes. Proposed enhancements may encompass the addition of more snow-making equipment, the replacement of existing lifts, revitalization of gondola services, upgrades to summer biking trails, and additional improvements. Furthermore, alongside the new investors, Killington Resort will also welcome a new board of directors this year.
Dartmouth College unveiled a new center on Tuesday, commemorating its most successful football coach on what would have been his 68th birthday. Buddy Teevens, recognized nationally for his initiatives to enhance safety in football, passed away in September 2023 due to injuries sustained in a bicycle accident six months prior. According to a news release from the college, the center will concentrate on research in various fields, including cognitive science, quantitative social sciences, engineering, and biomechanics, among other potential areas of focus.