Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is now accepting applications for Trade Show Assistance Grants. Funded by the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI), these grants provide Vermont agricultural and forestry businesses with funds to identify, plan, exhibit, and sell their Vermont products at out-of-state and international trade shows or virtual shows targeting out-of-state buyers. WLEI has set aside $50,000 to support Vermont businesses with their tradeshow marketing between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024. Trade Show Assistance Grants provide 50% reimbursement on eligible expenses to help mitigate the financial risks associated with exhibiting at trade shows.

Vermont Business Magazine State Director for US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) in Vermont and New Hampshire, Sarah Waring, today announced $2,136,062 in grant funding to improve housing and economic opportunity for socially vulnerable rural residents in the Twin States. USDA is making the investments through its Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program, Housing Preservation Grants (HPG), Community Facilities Disaster Relief Grants (CF) and a partnership with the Northern Border Regional Commission. The investments are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensure that people living in rural America have equitable access to the infrastructure and economic opportunities they deserve.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that the seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for November was 2.5 percent. This reflects an increase of two-tenths of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate. The Labor Force improved but both the number of employed (down 209) and the number of unemployed (up 547) contributed to the rate increase. October's rate also saw an increase of two-tenths as the major indices revealed mediocre results, but they have shown vast improvement from the same time last year. The rate during the summer fell to 2.1 percent, which is the state's historic low. The civilian labor force participation rate was 61.7 percent in November, unchanged from the prior month. Vermont has the fifth lowest unemployment rate. Minnesota is lowest 2.2 percent, while Nevada is highest as 4.9 percent. The US rate of 3.7 percent is unchanged.

Vermont Business Magazine Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBank Boston) awarded nearly $19.6 million in grants, loans, and interest-rate subsidies to support 32 affordable housing initiatives in New England and beyond. These projects, funded in part through FHLBank Boston’s Affordable Housing Program (AHP), will create or preserve 929 rental and homeownership units for individuals and families earning up to 80% of the area median income. As part of this funding round, Vermont received $900,000 for 78 affordable units of rental and homeownership housing in Hinesburg, Randolph, and Vergennes.

Vermont Business Magazine Trends like accelerated adoption of cloud services, new emphasis on zero trust architecture, and remote enablement aren’t limited to the private sector. These innovations are also critically important to state and local governments and higher education (SLED) institutions that the American population counts on for vital functions and reliable services. NuHarbor Security, based in Colchester, the industry’s most trusted managed security provider to the SLED community, has released the first Cybersecurity Priorities Report (CPR) created by, and for, SLED IT and security leaders.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Public Service (PSD) on Thursday announced that it has released results of a drive test, conducted in conjunction with the Agency of Transportation (AOT), to determine mobile wireless coverage throughout the state. “Access to mobile wireless service is a top priority for Vermonters, for this Administration, and for the Department,” said PSD Commissioner June Tierney. “We all know that there are many areas of the state that lack service. The drive tests will help to identify those areas so we can prioritize them for new coverage.”

Vermont Business Magazine University-led student statehouse reporting programs provided more than 1,000 news stories to 1,200 media outlets in 17 states, according to a new report from the Center for Community News at the University of Vermont. While statehouse reporting has been decimated due to cutbacks in the industry, increases in student legislative reporting is one bright spot, the report finds.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Health Network held an official groundbreaking ceremony today to announce a second investment in new housing in South Burlington, this time with an apartment building that will include a child care facility for employees with families. Housing and child care are key issues nationally and they present a major obstacle to recruit and retain a health care workforce. The newest apartment building project is part of the Network’s ongoing plan to address these challenges and reduce the reliance on costly temporary workers. UVMHN, with hospitals and health facilities on both the Vermont and New York sides of Lake Champlain, employs about 15,000 people.

Vermont Business Magazine The first winter storm of the season is forecasted to impact Vermont through Saturday and VGS wants to make sure safety is top of mind. Here are some important reminders: Keep gas meters free from snow and ice; Keep exterior sidewall vents clear; Test smoke alarms; Test carbon monoxide alarms; and Report all gas leaks.

Vermont State Police As the investigation into Wednesday’s fatal shooting in St. Johnsbury continues, the Vermont State Police is able to identify the victim as Israel Jimenez Lugo, 49, who lived in the home at 78 Hastings Street where the incident occurred. An autopsy performed Thursday, December 15, 2022, at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington determined the cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the torso, and the manner of death to be a homicide.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) would like to remind all farm operations that the annual winter manure spreading ban begins at midnight tonight. Between December 15, 2022 and April 1, 2023 no manure or other agricultural wastes (including compost and spoiled feed) may be spread on agricultural fields throughout Vermont. This annual ban is required by the Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs), which is a part of VAAFM’s overall strategy to protect water quality, the working landscape, and natural resources. The ban is a regulation that has been in place since 1995.