Mollie Burke and Sara Coffey

Let the arts play a role in our economic recovery

Building resilience was the key to recovering from Tropical Storm Irene. Now, Vermont is due for a similar response to the global pandemic. Can the creative economy play a critically important role in our rebound?

As we begin to emerge from the worst period of the COVID-19 pandemic, its equally frightening companion - the economy - starts to take center stage.

After thousands of workers have filed unemployment claims and businesses have applied for emergency loans and relief from the Small Business Administration and the Paycheck Protection Program, many of us are now looking at the next wave of concerns.

How many jobs will never come back? How many businesses will permanently close their doors? Will the state and our towns have enough revenue to keep essential services intact?

As we slowly reopen the spigot, so many more questions will emerge.

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