Northern Vermont Businesses Struggle After July Floods

Two severe bouts of flooding in July have severely impacted businesses and tourist destinations in northern Vermont, with many still closed for repairs and others urging visitors to return. Kingdom Trails, a popular mountain biking destination, suffered $300,000 in damages, not including lost membership revenue, and was closed for a day and a half. Abby Long, executive director of Kingdom Trails, emphasized the community's efforts to welcome visitors and volunteers for recovery work. The storms also led to the permanent closure of the Miss Lyndonville Diner, a local staple since 1978. Vermont's Economic Development Commissioner reported that 341 businesses have reported damage this year, compared to 1,100 last summer. The financial strain from repeated flooding has been described as unsustainable by local business leaders.