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Vermont Business Magazine “2014 was a good year for milk,” Kate Leach says from the kitchen table at her family’s seventh generation farm. Kate and her husband Seth Leach track such things. His ancestors started Woodlawn Holsteins Farm in Pawlet nearly 200 years ago, where the family has been producing and selling premium quality milk and beef ever since. Kate explains that 2014 was the year Vermont’s commodity milk market paid a relatively higher price to the state’s dairy farmers for their product. Woodlawn, like many Vermont dairy farms, has struggled with smaller payouts, potentially affecting their long-term sustainability. But in 2014, Seth could at last take a breath and feel optimistic about the family farm’s future. “Then he calculated the costs of feed for our cows, and all our other farm expenses,” Kate adds, “and he realized that even with that higher payment, it still wasn’t great.” All costs considered, the struggle would go on. Until they said, cheese.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police is investigating a shooting in Waterbury that left one man dead and a second with critical injuries. The investigation began at about 12:45 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, when the state police received a call reporting a shooting at a home in the Kneeland Flats Trailer Park. Responding troopers located the victims on scene. The man with critical injuries was brought by ambulance to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington for treatment. Preliminary investigation by detectives indicates this shooting was an isolated, targeted event. No one is currently in custody.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Funding is available through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center for research and development projects that support dairy processing innovation across the Northeast. Projects funded through this grant must address at least one of the following primary goals: packaging initiatives, novel processing solutions, and/or increased collaboration. Projects may include innovation in sourcing, alternative production solutions, distribution and supply chain logistics, operations, and marketing. Awards will range from $75,000 to $350,000, with a 25% match requirement. Total program funding is $1,500,000.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.16 per gallon, down 1.2 cents per gallon from last week's $3.17/g. The national average price of gasoline has risen 3.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.16/g today. The national average is unchanged from a month ago and stands 41.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has declined 3.4 cents in the last week and stands at $3.57 per gallon- the lowest level since January, 2022, over 900 days ago.

by Joyce Marcel, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s rural life, with its rugged mountains, open farmland, maple stands and isolated homes, has always contained a wide variety of gender identities and sexual proclivities. In the past, they might have been whispered about, obscured, dismissed with a shrug or hidden. Now they are being celebrated. One of leaders of this movement is innovator and community organizer HB Lozito (they, them), co-founder and executive director of the Brattleboro nonprofit Out in the Open, or OITO, whose mission is to connect rural LGBTQIA+ people to build community, visibility, knowledge and power. For their work, Lozito last year received the penultimate Con Hogan Award for Creative, Entrepreneurial, Community Leadership from the Vermont Community Foundation. 

Vermont Business Magazine Girls on the Run Vermont will host its annual fall benefit, Sneaker Soirée, on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Burlington Beer Company from 6-10 p.m. This year’s event marks the 25th anniversary of the organization in Vermont.  A fundraiser like no other, the Sneaker Soiree will surely be the most comfortable cocktail party in town. Suggested attire is semi-formal and of course… your favorite sneakers! This 18+ event will be held in BBCO’s new event space. Check out an incredible Silent Auction packed full of fantastic getaways, lift tickets to VT ski resorts, spa treatments, yoga packages, custom artw

Vermont Business Magazine Looking for a meaningful job that pays the bills? Want to meet entrepreneurs building successful Vermont-based businesses? You’ll find both at the Vermont Tech Jam on Saturday, October 26, at Hula in Burlington. The free event, organized by Seven Days and presented by Hula and Marvell, runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is followed by a keynote presentation. Dozens of recruiters from some of Vermont’s largest and most innovative employers will be scouting for talent at the Tech Jam, including Beta Technologies, Waterbury’s KORE Power and NOMAD, National Life Group and Colchester-based VIP. 

VermontBiz This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will affect traffic on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.  

Note: When projects are completed, they are no longer listed in this report.  

by Vermont Small Business Development Center Kaleidoscope Art Supply is a creative haven for those who love art, make art or simply want to engage with the community through an artistic lens. Curator and artist Raven Crispino had always dreamed of opening a space where creatives could converge and share their passion. She imagined a place where lesser-known artists could showcase their work, and where art enthusiasts could readily find premium art supplies. Driven by this vision, she took a bold leap of faith determined to turn her dream into reality. Moving to Vermont from New Jersey, Crispino set her sights on Rutland after she was warmly welcomed at several mixers hosted by the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Travel and tourism have been a cornerstone of Vermont’s economy for over a century. However, recent years have brought significant disruptions, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel restrictions and lockdowns forced hospitality venues to close, impacting everything from cozy B&Bs to sprawling ski resorts. As the pandemic restrictions eased, Vermont experienced a surge in tourism, leading to an economic boom. However, this influx of visitors also triggered a housing crisis, characterized by a decline in available housing and a rise in housing costs. This phenomenon involved the conversion of second homes into permanent residences and the transformation of permanent homes into short-term rentals. While the ski industry was still recovering from the lingering effects of COVID, the hospitality sector was rebounding. However, two devastating events further disrupted travel and tourism: the floods of July 2023 and July 2024.

Vermont Chamber of Commerce Join the Vermont Chamber at the Manufacturing Summit on November 13-14, 2024, where Vermont's manufacturing sector takes center stage. Designed for businesses of all types and sizes within the manufacturing industry, this reimagined event offers a unique opportunity to connect with industry peers, suppliers, and potential business partners from across Vermont, New England, and Canada. Discover actionable strategies and resources to enhance your business operations, explore new growth opportunities, and gain insights into the latest trends shaping the future of manufacturing. Don’t miss this chance to build a more resilient supply chain and drive your business forward.

VermontBiz The Vermont Agency of Education announced the next phase of its 2024 Listen and Learn Tour and invites the public to participate in community conversations focused on key topics in education. These public engagement sessions will help the Agency develop its strategic plan and ensure that its work is supporting the educational priorities of communities across Vermont. Following a series of data reports and regional planning sessions with more than 250 education leaders, the Agency is eager to expand these conversations to include educators, parents, students, and community members across the state.

"Hearing from Vermonters in every corner of the state is essential for the Agency of Education to develop goals and initiatives that support Vermont in building an education system that meets the needs of every student from cradle to career.” said Interim Secretary Zoie Saunders.”