Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Scott Administration officials will be visiting Essex and Orleans counties on Thursday to hear from community leaders about their unique infrastructure needs and to discuss the many funding opportunities available to them via federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Officials will offer guidance on how communities can apply for assistance with tangible economic development, housing, water and sewer, climate change mitigation measures, and broadband projects.

Vermont Business Magazine Champlain College President Alex Hernandez announced a new partnership between Champlain College and HULA at his inauguration ceremony earlier this month. The college and business incubator are committed to working together to support the growth of the entrepreneurial community and be an economic engine of opportunity for Vermont. The partnership will begin with an “Entrepreneurship Master Class” at Hula, extending the Champlain College classroom footprint onto the Hula campus. The class will host a series of HULA members as speakers and provide opportunities to learn from a variety of entrepreneurs in the start-up community.

Vermont Business Magazine The Great American Smokeout is Thursday, November 17, and Vermonters who smoke or use tobacco can take a first, big step to improving their health by joining this national quit day. Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death and illness worldwide, claiming an estimated 480,000 lives every year — or about 1 in 5 deaths. The good news is that recent data show that risk drops the sooner someone quits smoking. For Vermont youth under the age of 18, confidential help is also available. The vaping epidemic over the past several years has impacted thousands of Vermont youth — 26% of high school students reported current use of electronic vaping products, with more than a third reporting daily use. s

Vermont Business Magazine The 2022 “State of Lung Cancer” report shows that only 13.2% of Vermont residents who are eligible have been screened for lung cancer. The American Lung Association’s 5th annual report, released today, highlights the toll of lung cancer in Vermont and examines key indicators including new cases, survival, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment and screening rates. Nationally, the “State of Lung Cancer” report shows continued progress for lung cancer survival. The lung cancer five-year survival rate is now 25% and increased 21% from 2014 to 2018. Here in Vermont, the lung cancer survival rate is above the national average at 28.1%. The report also highlights that people of color who are diagnosed with lung cancer face worse outcomes compared to white Americans, including lower survival rate, less likely to be diagnosed early, less likely to receive surgical treatment and more likely to receive no treatment.

Vermont Business Magazine The National Life Group (NLG) Foundation has increased its budget by 15 percent, bringing the total to $2.3 million. This reflects the Foundation’s growth and impact on the community. The Foundation offers grants to nonprofit organizations primarily in central and northern Vermont and the Dallas, Texas area where the company has offices with a focus on ending childhood hunger and promoting youth mental health. Applications for grants will be accepted from January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023.

Vermont Business Magazine As Vermonters receive the first snowflakes of the season, new national and state data shows that Vermont continues to lead the nation in outdoor recreation as a key linchpin of the State’s economy. As the state continues to recover from the pandemic, a Bureau of Economic Analysis report shows that spending in Vermont generated by activities from snow sports to camping, hiking, boating, and biking continues to increase exponentially. Nationally, outdoor recreation accounted for $862 billion in consumer spending and $1.53 billion in Vermont’s spending. The contribution of Vermont’s outdoor recreation to the state gross domestic product (GDP) jumped from 3.7% in 2020 to 4.1% in 2021, maintaining Vermont’s rank of 3rd highest in the country behind HI and MT.

Vermont Business Magazine The LoveYourBrain Foundation, a Vermont-based nonprofit, is proud to announce its second annual Mindset Challenge, a free, research-backed online yoga, mindfulness, and education program designed to build resilience for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion, caregivers, clinicians, and others. Over six weeks, participants receive weekly tools to manage stress, increase balance and mobility, create focus and inner steadiness, and support sleep and rest. TBI is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with more than 3 million people in the US and Canada alone sustaining a TBI annually. After a brain injury, people often need to navigate new physical and emotional challenges, yet individuals often lack the support to heal.

Vermont Business Magazine State and local officials, affordable housing advocates, and area residents gathered in South Hero today to celebrate the opening of Bayview Crossing, a new Cathedral Square community with 30 homes for older adults and new offices for the local nonprofit C.I.D.E.R. (Champlain Islanders Developing Essential Resources). It is the first affordable housing in Grand Isle County in 17 years.

Vermont Business Magazine Richer meals, shorter days, late nights celebrating with friends, and cookies, so many cookies… The holidays can be a tricky time to maintain our healthy routines. That’s why Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is launching the 8-week Healthy Holiday Challenge. Every Friday from November 25 – January 13, SVHC will release a video featuring a different SVHC health role model sharing a fun and motivating challenge to complete that week. The challenges address different aspects of health, including nutrition, movement, and more. They are adaptable to all fitness levels and dietary needs and emphasize trying new things.