Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont electric utilities are alerting renters who are already receiving help through the Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program (VERAP) that their payments will be reduced as of October 1, 2022, and no payments will be available past December 31, 2022. Eligible renters who have not yet taken action need to apply now if they are struggling to pay existing and past bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This federal grant program has been critical to directly helping renters get through the lingering impacts of the pandemic. The state has announced the last day to apply for assistance through VERAP is currently set for December 31, 2022, and any eligible amounts will only be covered for bills through the end of the year. In addition, on October 1, 2022, assistance will be reduced from 100% to 70% for all VERAP participants including existing renters and new applicants.

Vermont Business Magazine The AO Glass factory behind the Speeder & Earl’s building on Pine Street is one of the South End’s best kept secrets. For the 30 Year Anniversary of ArtHop, AO Glass has forged a stronghold of creative expressions in the art of glass, and are opening their doors to a unique one-weekend-only glass art show. Typically on an average day the factory glass blowers are making things that are dictated by the needs of the lighting companies that AO Glass produces for.

by David Flemming, Policy Analyst, Ethan Allen Institute In 2020, about 20% of Black citizens voted in Vermont’s general election, well short of a Census-estimated 70% of white Vermonters. That’s the second largest gap in the country. Last month, Secretary of State Jim Condos opined that “Ensuring the accuracy of our elections is my No. 1 priority” boasting about “our post-election audit, and to the results certification process.” While I could point to past research which questions why Vermont lags behind the other 49 states on important security procedures, I’d like to highlight how Vermont finds itself with one of the lowest minority voter rates in the country, and could continue to do so for the 2022 election and beyond. Unless something is done.

Vermont Business Magazine Michael Kennedy has been selected to receive the prestigious 2022 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Second Circuit. Chief Judge Debra Ann Livingston of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will present the award to Kennedy later this fall. Known as the “ethics guru” of Vermont, Kennedy has been bar counsel for the state’s Professional Responsibility Program since 2012. As bar counsel, Kennedy advises attorneys on issues related to legal ethics and Vermont’s Rules of Professional Conduct. He also screens disciplinary complaints and administers the program for resolving complaints via nondisciplinary dispute resolution methods. He teaches continuing legal education seminars on legal ethics and professional responsibility, which often incorporate trivia quizzes. He produces a popular legal ethics quiz in blog format each week.

by Alison Whritenour, Donna Carpenter & Matthew McCarthy The right to choose is a moral and economic imperative; Vermont businesses cannot be silent. As business leaders, we consider a person’s right to choose to be not only a moral imperative but an economic one as well. In short, a Vermonter who can make decisions about their own reproductive health care, including whether to become pregnant, use birth control, or seek abortion care, is a Vermonter with a firm grip on the reins of their financial future.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce hosted a new event, entitled The Wellspring Forum, to capitalize on the historic election cycle and further the advocacy organization’s commitment to growing the business community and the Vermont economy. US House Candidate Becca Balint and State Treasurer Candidate Mike Pieciak spoke directly to the Vermont Chamber Board of Directors and other leaders of the Vermont business community in a series of bilateral conversations moderated by Vermont Chamber President, Betsy Bishop.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Patrick Leahy is pleased to announce the lineup of workshops and presenters for the 25th Annual Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference (WEOC) on Saturday, October 1 at the Vermont Technical College campus in Randolph. “Every year the WEOC organizing committee does an exemplary job of bringing in experts who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise, at no cost, with Vermonters. It’s an opportunity for attendees to improve their skills, learn about alternative careers, or gather information on starting or growing their business. Every year, we hear from attendees who came away inspired. Marcelle and I are pleased to announce this year’s list of workshops and presentations,” Leahy said.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointments of a chair and two members to the Green Mountain Care Board. Owen Foster, of Jericho, has been appointed chair, and Dr David Murman, of Waterbury, and Robin Lunge, of Berlin, will serve as members on the five-member board. Among its duties, the GMCB is the regulatory body for hospitals and health insurers. The GMCB is expected to release hospital budget approvals this month.

Vermont Business Magazine VEDA (Vermont Economic Development Authority) will open up applications for their Short Term Forgivable Loan Program on September 15, 2022. The VEDA Short Term Forgivable Program will provide financial assistance to businesses that continue to experience current and ongoing harm due to COVID-19 pandemic. Similar to the PPP loans of 2020, this program will offer 100% forgiveness of loans for funds used towards approved expenses which include but are not limited to payroll, utilities, loan interest, and rent.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont have fallen 10 cents to back under $4 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. The average price today is $3.90, which is 50 cents less than a month ago and 83 cents more than last year. The lowest price in the state is in Troy ($3.47/g) and the highest price is in Killington ($4.59). Gasoline prices in Vermont have also started to close the gap with the average national price, which has fallen 8 cents in the last week to $3.72/g. State and national prices had been running about the same until the beginning of summer.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) Thursday introduced the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act to begin the process of possibly designating segments of these waterways as part of the National Wild and Scenic River system. Vermont Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vermont) introduced companion legislation in the US House of Representatives. Nulhegan River emanates from Nulhegan Pond in Brighton in Essex County and is a tributary of the Connecticut River.