Vermont Business Magazine Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), together with Representatives Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Doug Collins (R-GA), released the following statements after introducing the American Royalties Too (ART) Act of 2018 in the Senate and House of Representatives. The legislation will provide a measure of equity to visual artists by allowing them to receive a portion of the sales price of their art.
Vermont Business Magazine For the eighth year in a row, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel, Darn Tough Vermont and Smartwool have teamed up to donate over $13,000 worth of socks and support to local non-profits serving the areas homeless. The donations are the result of a joint effort between the three businesses to help provide warm, Merino wool socks and much-needed support to the areas homeless population in preparation for the areas colder months.
Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and members of his Administration will bring their “Capitol for a Day” initiative to Chittenden County on Wednesday, September 26. The Administration has visited Rutland, Caledonia, Windsor, Franklin, Bennington and Addison counties as part of this initiative, which aims to give local constituents, municipal governments and other partners the opportunity to connect directly with state leadership and staff. The Administration will visit each of the state’s 14 counties as part of this initiative.
Vermont Business Magazine The State Committee of the Vermont Democratic Party has officially endorsed the following candidates for statewide office in Vermont. The State Party scheduled the endorsement process to take place after the August Democratic primary to remain unbiased throughout the process. On Saturday, at the September meeting of the State Committee, the Party voted unanimously to endorse the Democratic primary winners.
The candidates enddorsed are:
Vermont Business Magazine US Transportation Secretary Elaine L Chao announced today that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will award $366.2 million in grants to improve the safety and reliability of America’s bus systems and enhance mobility for transit riders. Vermont will get $2 million. A total of 107 projects in 50 states and territories will receive funding from FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program.
Vermont Business Magazine The US Department of Agriculture Rural Development has awarded the City of Winooski a package of loans and grants totaling more than $8.5 million for upgrades to the city’s drinking water and wastewater systems, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) announced Tuesday. The infrastructure upgrades are a key element in the city’s vision to undertake a $23 million effort to revitalize Main Street north of downtown, they said in a statement.
Vermont Business Magazine Burlington residents will soon have the chance to weigh in on the future of Burlington High School (BHS). The City Council approved a resolution on Monday allowing Burlington School District (BSD) to place a bond question on the November ballot. The bond question will ask voters to allow the district to borrow up to, but not more than, $70 million for the District’s flagship educational institution. Council supported the measure 11-1.
Vermont Business Magazine TD Bank announced today that its Commercial Lending Group in Vermont closed a $3.5 million credit line for NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, based in West Rutland. TD Bank’s capital allows NeighborWorks to provide down payments or second mortgage loans to local home buyers. The line was closed by Chris Hackett, TD Bank senior relationship manager. Through this funding, NeighborWorks anticipates helping 100 prospective homeowners in the area.
by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger and Aviation Director Gene Richards today announced that Fitch Ratings has upgraded Burlington International Airport’s credit rating to “BBB” from “BBB-,” and revised the Airport’s credit outlook from positive to stable. This upgrade is particularly significant. For the past six years, the Airport’s credit rating has been “BBB-,” which is the lowest a bond can be rated to be considered investment grade.
Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) announced Monday that Richard Riendeau was fined $9,155 for failing to receive a required permit before commencing heavy cutting on his property in Hardwick. A heavy cut is defined as a harvest leaving a residual stand of healthy trees below the recommended density as defined by the USDA Forest Service silvicultural guides for similar stands. The goal of the Heavy Cut Law is to limit extensive and improper harvesting on large areas of 40 acres or more.
by John McClaughry For over half a century, the managers of Vermont’s public education system have yearned to consolidate school districts, get rid of “inefficient” small schools, and install progressive ideas that the locals were too obtuse to grasp and implement themselves. Until 2009 those efforts repeatedly failed. But in that year Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca aggressively renewed the push for consolidation.
Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s congressional delegation announced September 14 that U.S.D.A. Rural Development has awarded four grants totaling $204,200 to help combat the opioid epidemic in Vermont. “Vermonters in every corner of the state have been touched by the opioid epidemic and while real progress is being made, we have more work to do. These federal grants will be especially critical to helping Vermonters access treatment and succeed in recovery,” Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.,) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Rep. Peter Welch said.