Senate draft economic bill would add funding for small-business legal aid, film, outdoor recreation and trade work

The Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs considered a draft economic development bill that would add multiple targeted appropriations to support small businesses, the film sector, outdoor-recreation firms and Vermont’s international trade capacity, legislative intern Helen R. Graves told the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee on Feb. 28.

The bill’s second section would direct funding for small-business supports. Graves said the draft would appropriate $300,000 to provide small-business legal and counseling services (the transcript text described the recipient variably as the Department of Economic Development or Vermont Law and Graduate School). The Professionals of Color Network requested $350,000 — $100,000 more than in the governor’s budget — to expand workforce and business-development services. The bill also proposes $688,889 for the Small Business Development Center, including…