Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Nearly 50 students from Woodstock Union High School and Twinfield Union School on Wednesday traveled to the non-partisan Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston as part of “Vermont Day,” an educational visit organized by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) for Vermont students to learn first-hand about democracy and the Senate legislative process. Sanders addressed the students Wednesday afternoon during their trip in livestreamed remarks from his Senate office in Washington, DC.

Vermont Business Magazine Vigorously pursuing Vermont Electric Co-op’s core mission of delivering reliable, affordable power – with a sharp eye toward assuring an equitable transition to cleaner energy – was the focus of remarks by VEC’s Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Towne during the organization’s recent Annual Meeting. The meeting, held May 14, was the first in-person VEC Annual Meeting since 2019. It was presided over by VEC Board Chair Rich Goggin of South Hero.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont gasoline prices today were largely unchanged from last week, with the average price being $4.71. This is 58 cents higher than a month ago and $1.79 higher than last year. The highest price was $4.99 per gallon in Burlington and the lowest was $4.29 in West Bridgewater.

Vermont Business Magazine As impacts from the terrible acts committed in New York, California and Texas are being felt throughout the country, the State of Vermont is reminding Vermonters of the mental health resources available to them. With a global COVID-19 pandemic and national and international turmoil, people have been exposed to extended stress, disruption and trauma. When coupled with the terrible acts witnessed over the past month, many Vermonters may be feeling emotions such as anger, sadness, frustration and grief.

by Joan Goldstein, Commissioner, Department of Economic Development A historic level of investment in economic development, workforce, and housing was approved this legislative session to support communities to recover and grow. While these investments are specific to economic, community and workforce development at the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, they are among various other new initiatives that will impact workforce development and support programs, creative economy businesses and unemployment insurance.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported May 21 that COVID-19 cases are down and hospitalizations also have fallen. But the number of patients with COVID who are still in the hospital increased. As of May 24, 2022, 661 people have died from COVID-19. The VDH has not reported any deaths since May 16.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center is committed to providing high quality care, and our number one priority is the safety of our patients, families and staff. This week, hospital leaders are reminding our community that in order to maintain a safe environment, we need everyone who comes through our doors to respect all hospital policies, including those related to COVID-19 and general behavior – and importantly, reminding all patients and visitors to respect our incredibly hardworking staff as they provide life-saving care.

Vermont Business Magazine Construction is underway in Bennington County and before autumn, 12,000 Vermont homes will have access to gig-speed internet from Fidium Fiber, a consumer internet service from Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL). Fidium boasts symmetrical (same upload and download) speeds that are 10 times faster than the national average [1]. This new build is part of Consolidated’s fiber expansion plan to deliver fiber internet services to 200,000 Vermont homes by the end of 2025.

Vermont Business Magazine Hardwick Electric Department and Encore Renewable Energy celebrated a new 1.65 MWac solar array located at a former Hardwick gravel pit with a ribbon-cutting with Representative Chip Troiano, Senator Jane Kitchel, and Chair of the Hardwick Electric Department Board of Commissioners Lynne Gedanken. The solar array is expected to produce enough carbon-free electricity to power approximately 340 homes annually. 100% of the renewable generation will serve homes and businesses that receive electricity from Hardwick Electric Department.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives Molly Gray unveiled her Federal Climate Agenda. Gray announced the Agenda at a press conference in Montpelier.

“There is decisive, climate-focused action that can be taken today to fundamentally change how America produces, taxes, and distributes our energy,” Gray said. “As we do this, we must bring our working families and every Vermont community along into a clean energy future.”

Vermont Business Magazine Deputy Commissioner of the Captive Insurance Division at the Department of Financial Regulation (DFR), David Provost, has announced his plan to retire at the end of the summer to ensure a smooth transition within the Department to new leadership.

“We wish Dave all the best in his future and we thank him for his immeasurable contribution to Vermonters and businesses around the world,” said Governor Phil Scott. “We are committed to appointing a replacement that will maintain the tone and standard Dave has set in Vermont.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Board of Commissioners announced this week that its annual award of federal housing tax credits will support the construction of 109 permanently affordable apartments in four communities across the state. The sale of this year’s tax credits to investors is expected to yield nearly $25 million in funding, which will cover an estimated 55 percent of total project development costs.

Vermont's housing funders will be able to leverage the impact of the tax credits and overcome pandemic-related increases in the cost of development by pairing the credits with an estimated $11.6 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), awarded through the Vermont Housing & Conversation Board.