Current News

by Anson Tebbetts As autumn winds down and our Green Mountain fields and forests prepare to rest, we give thanks for the bounty of the seasons. In the coming weeks, Vermont food will be at the center the table as many of us celebrate with family and friends. Maybe the meal will begin with an appetizer plate arranged with Vermont’s award-winning cheeses, crackers, pickles, jams, and jellies; perhaps stacks of tasty local vegetables and meats grown and produced by our Vermont farmers and producers.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Killington Resort hosted the women’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup for the sixth time over Thanksgiving Weekend. Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami won the giant slalom under sunny skies on Saturday and in a shocking finale Sunday, Anna Swenn-Larsson (SWE) and Wendy Holdener (SUI) tied for the slalom win. Though she logged the fastest time in run one, five-time Killington Cup champion Mikaela Shiffrin finished the slalom in fifth. After a slow start to the Audi FIS Ski World Cup season, marred with cancellations in Europe, Killington Resort pulled off the impossible by taking the racecourse from grass to FIS snow control approval in a matter of days.

by Christine McGowan, Vermont Forest Industry Network Gathered under an old pine tree at her husband’s family camp in Chelsea Vermont, Katie Babic had a moment of inspiration that would change her life. The family had come together for a celebration of life, which concluded with sending paper lanterns into the night sky above an old pine tree on the property. One of the lanterns caught in the tree’s branches, igniting a moment of concern that the tree might catch fire. It didn’t. But the family realized it was time to take down the beloved pine tree, which had died and become dangerous.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported November 23 that hospitalizations fell 41 from 53 last week, as overall COVID-19 cases fell again to 293 from 385. COVID-19 infections remain at a "Low" level for the fourth week, according to the VDH, after increasing hospitalizations had sent them to "Medium" a few weeks ago (from a low of 30). There were 7 COVID-related deaths last week after zero were reported the previous week, for 11 so far in November and a pandemic total of 770 (the VDH report could be updated as more data becomes available). There were 19 COVID-related fatalities in August, 11 in September and 30 in October. Vermont is tied for the lowest COVID fatality rate in the nation, at 122 per 100,000 population.

by Liz Gamache One the many things I love about living in Vermont is how we take care of each other and value strong communities. As the days get shorter and darker, we are also entering a season of gratitude – a time when many of us reflect on our blessings and ways we can give back. Giving Tuesday, November 29, is an international day of giving – a global movement intended to “unleash the power of radical generosity around the world.” For me, this day is an opportunity to reflect on ways to give back locally; to look at what the needs are in my community and consider what I can do to make a difference in my own backyard. Every person in Vermont benefits, either directly or indirectly, from the mission-driven work of local nonprofits.

Lake Champlain Basin Program As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I’m reflecting on a few of the things for which the LCBP is grateful.

For one, our supportive congressional delegation. An early October event that aligned with our Québec friends’ Thanksgiving provided an opportunity for partners from across the entire watershed to thank Senator Patrick Leahy for his long-standing support of work to protect and restore Lake Champlain. The ongoing commitment from the New York and Vermont delegations representing the Lake Champlain Basin has ensured that our budget has been not only stable but has grown.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement: “It is with much sadness that I send my condolences to the family and friends of former Representative Richard ‘Dick’ Lawrence, who has passed away. Dick was a champion for the Northeast Kingdom and served his communities well with support for a strong agricultural economy. Outside of the State House, his advocacy for fairs and field days, which benefited rural communities across Vermont, as well as serving as president of the Caledonia County Fair over many years, did even more for the region and state. I appreciate his service and the legacy he leaves behind.”

Vermont Business Magazine The 802Spirits Rare Spirits Raffle kicks off on Friday, November 25 with 1,000 bottles of highly allocated and hard-to-find spirits available for purchase at retail price. The Rare Spirits Raffle and Sweepstakes provide equitable opportunities for consumers and on-premise licensees, such as bars and restaurants, to purchase rare spirit brands that are not available in 802Spirits stores due to low allocation to Vermont from the suppliers. There is a $5 entry fee for each raffle and people can enter as many times as they wish. The proceeds from the raffle are deposited to the General Fund, which benefits Vermont communities.

Vermont Business Magazine This week, City Market will host their 25th Annual COTS Tree Sale to benefit Vermont’s Committee on Temporary Shelter. City Market will sell fresh balsams from Moffatt’s Tree Farm in Craftsbury, Vermont for $50 each with all proceeds benefiting COTS and their mission to end homelessness in Vermont. Additionally, for each tree purchased, City Market will donate funding for the Intervale Center to plant a tree in Vermont; continuing our “Buy a Tree, Plant a Tree” partnership.

Vermont Business Magazine A favorable stretch of wintry weather has allowed Jay Peak Resort’s snowmaking team to pump out a hearty base across Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert terrain. The Resort welcomes its Stakeholders on Friday, November 25th for A Day for the Devoted. More than 750 free Lift Tickets were claimed for opening day as part of Day for the Devoted, a new tradition that invites Jay Peak devotees to celebrate the beginning of its 22+23 winter season.

State Joins Coast-to-Coast Movement to Adopt Zero-Emission Vehicle Regulations

VermontBiz Vermont moved forward with two key regulations to address pollution from transportation in the state: the Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) II program and the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation. The Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules held a hearing on Thursday for the final review of the rules and officially approved both. The Rules will not go into effect until after California officially files the ACT rule on Nov 30, 2022.

Beginning in 2025, the ACT rule will require manufacturers to produce and sell an increasing percentage of zero-emission trucks and buses annually through 2035, which will have far-reaching public health, environment, and economic benefits for Vermonters. Several states, including California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and Vermont, have adopted the ACT rule.