Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Development Association (VCDA) announces its 2022 Fall Conference - The Changing Landscape of Infrastructure: New Challenges and Solutions. The annual event will take place at the Chandler Center for the Arts on Tuesday, December 6. A community’s infrastructure is the framework that supports and sustains the environment, sparks economic growth, and improves quality of life. Whether it be transportation, sewage and water, electric charging stations, recreation, or broadband – infrastructure is the foundation on which we organize our communities.

by Bill Schubart The Vermont healthcare system, infrastructure, and vision are broken, and Vermonters of all economic strata are the losers. The soul of the system is fine if you can afford it or access it when you need it. That is, the quality of care provided by medical staff from nurses to nurse-practitioners to physicians’ assistants to doctors is generally good. But a major legal tenet of healthcare is “standard of care,” which is early diagnosis and treatment. If a Vermonter can’t afford or get timely access to care, the existence of a healthcare system is meaningless to them. I have several male friends who, between their entry into the system seeking help and an eventual diagnosis of late-stage prostate cancer, waited from eight to 13 months because appointments were so hard to come by. What if any is the healthcare system’s liability?

Vermont Business Magazine Sugarbush Resort is coming off a summer and fall capital improvement initiative that saw over $10 million invested back into the mountain, one of the largest capital dollar influxes in recent history. Over half of those dollars were invested in snowmaking, including over 9 miles of new snowmaking pipe, where four separate projects look to significantly improve operations and the guest experience. The first project fixated on the beginner experience and overhauled snowmaking pipe and guns on Easy Rider and Pushover at Lincoln Peak. These improvements will allow for more efficient and faster snowmaking, thanks in large part to the installation of new KLIK hydrants. The second project was focused on the upper portion of Mt. Ellen, replacing pipe on terrain throughout the Summit area.

Vermont Business Magazine As experts predict a severe flu season across the country, state health officials are urging Vermonters to take steps now to protect themselves and those at higher risk by getting their flu shot, along with the updated COVID-19 booster. Everyone 6 months and older (with certain exceptions) should get their flu shot, and the COVID-19 and flu vaccines can be given at the same time. Both vaccines are available at walk-in clinics, pharmacies and health care providers. However, flu shots offered at state-run walk-in clinics are for people under age 65. Anyone 65 and older should get the high-dose flu vaccine through their health care provider or local pharmacy.

Vermont Business Magazine MIB Agents, a leading pediatric osteosarcoma nonprofit dedicated to Making It Better for its community of patients, caregivers, doctors, and researchers, is accepting applications for its annual OutSmarting Osteosarcoma research grants. This grant was established in 2017 and is awarded to a project focused on moving research forward for osteosarcoma patients. Osteosarcoma is an aggressive, malignant primary bone cancer affecting between 800-900 people in the US each year and is the most common bone cancer affecting children and young adults. MIB Agents is based in Barnard, Vermont, and operates nationwide. Over the past six years, MIB Agents has awarded a total of $950,000 and supported 11 investigators to fund promising osteosarcoma research. In addition to a $100,000 award, MIB Agents supports early career researchers with a $50,000 Young Investigator Research award.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Governor Phil Scott recently proclaimed November as Adoption Month in Vermont, recognizing the importance of making sure every child has a permanent, safe, and loving family. Adoption Month is a time to: Celebrate and honor all people whose lives are touched by adoption; Focus attention on children and youth still waiting for their forever families. There are currently about 100 waiting children in Vermont. Project Family, a partnership between Lund and the Department for Children and Families (DCF), works to find permanent families for children and youth. But more families are needed, especially for youth over the age of 14. The chances of a child under eight being adopted are almost nine times greater than for one over 14.

Vermont Business Magazine This month, the Gifford Galley welcomes the work of Braintree resident, Lisa Allard. Photography has been a passionate hobby of Allard’s ever since she was a young girl growing up next to her grandparent’s farm in Coos County, NH. Although she has participated in photography workshops, Allard is mostly self-taught and is continually improving her craft while respecting wildlife and nature. The majority of Allard’s wildlife photos are taken from her kayak.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos, Vermont Humanities, and the Center for Cartoon Studies have released a new comic book, titled Freedom and Unity, focused on civics education, local democracy and the Vermont election process. The comic, titled Freedom and Unity, A Graphic Guide to Vermont Democracy, is a collaboration between the Secretary of State’s office, Vermont Humanities, and the Center for Cartoon Studies, supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Federation of State Humanities Councils. The General Election is Tuesday November 8.

Vermont Business Magazine The SBA Vermont District Office is accepting nominations for its 2023 small business awards. Previous Vermont winners include Ben and Jerry’s, Mamava and Blake Hill Preserves. The annual awards recognize the achievements of SBA-assisted small businesses and the contributions they have made to their communities and Vermont’s economy. To be nominated and receive one of the following local awards, the small business nominee must fit within the category of the award, demonstrate success in business and complete and submit the required nomination package information.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) announces the launch of the First Generation Homebuyer Program, with a goal of helping more Vermonters afford their first home. This program provides a grant to eligible homebuyers whose parents or legal guardians were likely unable to pass on the generational wealth homeownership can provide. This pilot program is modeled after a federal proposal and provides a $15,000 grant for down payment and closing cost assistance. To be eligible, all borrowers and non-borrowing spouses must be true first-time homebuyers.

Vermont Business Magazine The Community Recovery and Revitalization Program (CRRP) will provide recovery funding for projects that spur economic recovery and revitalization to mitigate the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 in communities across the state. Program guidelines have been posted on the ACCD website and the application will become available in the coming weeks. To best support entities preparing to apply, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) is hosting a series of five informational webinars unique to each eligible project type, beginning November 9.