Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Community Bank Trust Services in Williston has announced that it will undergo an official name change to Nottingham Trust in August 2023. The name change comes a year after Nottingham Wealth was created late in 2022, combining the formidable financial planning and investment capabilities of Community Bank Trust Services and Nottingham Advisors into a single offering designed to best meet the needs of clients with the most complex financial planning requirements.

Vermont Business Magazine The Special Committee on Impeachment, following months of thorough investigation, has concluded its inquiry into the allegations brought against State’s Attorney John Lavoie upon receiving notice of his resignation from the office. The Chair of the Special Committee on Impeachment, Representative Martin LaLonde has released the following statement: “I am hopeful that with Mr. Lavoie’s resignation, the Franklin States Attorney’s office can begin to rebuild and become a more respectful and professional place to work... We will now turn our focus to the matter of Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections today reported a critical incident at Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) in Springfield. On Thursday morning, a nurse in the facility intake area was administering medications to Cory Munger, a newly detained individual at SSCF. Mr. Munger forcibly grabbed the nurse, wrapping his arm around her throat and holding a pen to her neck. Correctional officers immediately intervened to thwart the attempt. The nurse, a contractor under health provider Wellpath, received a medical evaluation at the Springfield Hospital following the incident.  

Vermont Business Magazine The severe and soggy weather this summer has created feed issues for those raising livestock. With a tremendous need to find feed for farmers and producers, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, and the Vermont Agency of Digital Services (ADS) have created a resource for those looking to buy and/or sell feed. This online marketplace is available now. Those selling hay, alfalfa, corn, soy, silage, and haylage can easily advertise their feed on the directory and can include details like whether the feed is organic and if the seller can deliver. For farmers looking for feed, the directory provides an easy platform through which they can quickly view availability, location, and pricing for a variety of feed.

Vermont Business Magazine The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) on Wednesday announced $43.6 million in new awards, including nearly $20 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as part of the Commission’s inaugural Catalyst Program competition. The 66 Catalyst Awards will go to communities in the Commission’s member states of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont and include a broad range of economic development initiatives such as projects that will: modernize and expand water and wastewater systems; revitalize transportation infrastructure; establish workforce development programs and facilities; grow outdoor recreation infrastructure and economies; and construct new childcare and healthcare facilities. Vermont received 13 grants that totaled over $10 million.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Scott and ACCD Secretary Lindsay Kurrle shared the latest BEGAP numbers Wednesday, while encouraging businesses to continue to apply as funding remains available. Here are the highlights. Among the 351 successfully submitted applications: 70% are currently being reviewed or in the queue to be reviewed; 30% are completed and approved for a BEGAP grant; A total of $397,136 has been paid out to date, with an average award amount of $13,694. Many incomplete applications due to missing documentation or estimates continue to be submitted, prolonging the review process and delaying awards. If business owners are having trouble finding a contractor to give them an estimate, use the new Contractor Estimate Tool. It includes several types of repairs from installing drywall and flooring to plumbing and heating work. 

Vermont Business Magazine The flood events of July 2023 have had a significant impact on aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) in homes and businesses across the state. ASTs include basement and home heating oil tanks that hold heating fuel such as #2 oil or kerosene. The State of Vermont Spill Response Team has received over 100 calls about ASTs that released heating fuel into structures or the environment as a result of the July floods. Releases were also common during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. When an AST becomes surrounded by floodwater, they often become buoyant, turn over and float on one side. Indoor ASTs float in the basement, while outdoor ASTs float in floodwaters and can be carried some distance away.

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger and Burlington Electric Department (BED), joined today by partners from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and Burlington City Councilor Hannah King (Ward 8), unveiled the state’s first all-electric bucket truck. The new truck, with its unique white and green colors and “all electric – powered by 100% renewable energy” tag line rather than the traditional orange color, constitutes another important step along the path to Burlington becoming a Net Zero Energy city. It will reduce BED’s annual diesel fuel usage by an estimated 1,650 gallons and reduce engine idling by an estimated 1,500 hours. 

Vermont Business Magazine Technology for Tomorrow Inc, a non-profit based in Williston, has announced that it will be working with Microsoft TechSpark to foster inclusive economic opportunity, job creation, and innovation in Vermont. This ties in well with the organization’s mission to bridge the digital divide and create a brighter future for all in Vermont. This opportunity includes funding a TechSpark Community Engagement Fellow, who will spearhead local efforts, working with local partners to extend digital literacy classes to underserved populations here in Vermont. This fellowship represents the first time Microsoft TechSpark has worked in the State of Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center are partnering to strengthen supply chains to benefit the Vermont manufacturing industry. VMEC’s CONNEX Vermont platform is a powerful online manufacturer-supplier database and connectivity tool provided as a no-cost resource for all Vermont manufacturers and suppliers. The Vermont Chamber’s annual Manufacturing Summit brings OEMs & Prime buyers, suppliers, and partners together from the U.S. and Canada for virtual and in-person networking. Together, these opportunities create a well-rounded environment for Vermont businesses to connect with suppliers and buyers both locally and abroad.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced recipients of $3.6 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding. $2.6 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) federal funding was awarded through the Vermont Community Development Program, as well as $500,000 in Recovery Housing Program (RHP) funds, and $500,000 in CDBG CARES Act (CDBG-CV) monies. This funding will leverage $44 million in other funding including state, federal and private sources. The funding will support nine projects throughout Vermont including mixed income housing developments, recovery housing and the revitalization of community facilities. 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are up slightly to $3.80/g, an increase of 1 cent per gallon from last week, up 19 cents/g from last month and down 37 cents/g from a year ago. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.43/g in Ludlow while the highest was $3.93/g in Arlington. The national average price of gasoline is down 5 cents from last week, also averaging $3.80/g today.