Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is making it easy for Vermonters to switch to driving an electric vehicle (EV) with its new Try-an-EV program letting customers experience what it is like to own and drive an EV, without a long-term commitment. The subscription service allows customers to select a vehicle and schedule delivery online with a package including charger installation, insurance, maintenance, and 24/7 access to an EV experience team to answer all your questions about driving electric. The service makes it simple for customers to compare the driving experience of different EVs, or simply to see what the switch to EV driving is really like during your commute every day, instead of just a short test drive.

Vermont Business Magazine After three years of planning, the Catamount Community Forest (CCF) in Williston will begin forest management to enhance the forest’s ability to adapt to climate change. In partnership with the University of Vermont, the CCF, which is owned by the Town of Williston, is part of a long-term research project called “Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change,” which will help build a better understanding of how forests can be managed responsibly and adaptively in a changing climate.

Vermont Business Magazine Join Ethan Tapper, the Chittenden County Forester, and Andrea Shortsleeve of the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife for a wildlife walk of the Catamount Community Forest in Williston. We will walk through the Community Forest and talk about what wildlife are using it, and how it might be managed to provide habitat for a greater diversity of critters. We will also visit the area of Catamount that will be managed this September and discuss how this management will benefit Vermont's native fauna. 

Vermont Business Magazine Emergency grant funding will be available to assist Vermont residents, including homeowners and renters, who were impacted by the July 2023 flood disaster, to replace flood-damaged and flood-destroyed appliances and equipment. Current FEMA reports estimate over 4,000 residences were impacted. This emergency funding will support addressing this urgent financial need. Efficiency Vermont will utilize existing, cost-effective programs, supply chain partners, and delivery mechanisms to ensure supply availability. The total amount is $10 million and capped at $10,000 each.

Vermont Business Magazine TD Bank Group (TD) announced today that applications are now open for the 2023 TD Ready Challenge. This year, TD is seeking to support eligible non-profit and charitable organizations focused on finding innovative solutions that address systemic barriers to affordable housing across the continuum from transitional to permanent homes, and to help increase access to affordable and stable housing for those who need it most. There are a total of 10 grants available of either CDN $1 million or USD $1 million, depending on the country of residence of the applicant. Vermont applications are open until September 13th, 2023. 

Vermont Business Magazine Hikers and rock climbers can return to Vermont cliffs now that peregrine falcon nesting season has ended.  The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has confirmed that all the young falcons have learned to fly and should not be disturbed by human presence on the cliffs. According to Audubon biologist Margaret Fowle, who coordinates the monitoring effort on behalf of the Fish and Wildlife Department, biologists and volunteers monitored peregrine pairs that occupied at least 50 Vermont cliffs in early spring and summer. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-AL) today sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to work closely with Congress to secure supplemental disaster aid for urgent flood recovery and long-term disaster mitigation in Vermont. This letter comes as Congress must act to provide additional federal funding for agencies that respond to disasters and follows Sanders and Welch’s letter to Senate colleagues to approve such additional aid for the state.

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First, Vermont Business Magazine A Vermont judge has agreed that a lawsuit filed against Middlebury College officials for their controversial and unannounced decision to improperly remove the name from the historic Mead Memorial Chapel can proceed. Dr. John Abner Mead, a former Vermont governor, to mark his 50th class reunion from Middlebury College, donated $75,000 in 1914 to build the iconic Mead Memorial Chapel in the middle of campus to honor his ancestors. 

Vermont Business Magazine Disaster Recovery Centers will open at 8 a.m. Aug. 10 in Johnson (Lamoille County) and Danville (Caledonia County) to help Vermont residents affected by the July severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides. The joint recovery center, a temporary facility established in partnership between the town, the state of Vermont and FEMA, will help survivors apply for FEMA assistance, upload documents and answer questions in person.  

Vermont Business Magazine  Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) is delighted to present the 2023 Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership to Darby Bradley, in recognition of his over three decades long career dedicated to Vermont’s land and people. Darby was formerly VNRC’s Assistant Director and Staff Attorney, President of the Vermont Land Trust and Chair of the Vermont Environmental Board under Governor Kunin. VNRC will present the award to Darby at VNRC’s Annual Meeting at Lareau Farm Inn in Waitsfield on September 21st.  

by Dan Smith, President & CEO, Vermont Community Foundation It’s been three weeks since the torrential rains that flooded so many of our families, friends, and neighbors. Slowly, in many towns, the trash and debris are being hauled away from sidewalks; homes and businesses are airing out. And many of our fellow Vermonters are trying to make sense of where they go from here. But for some, the process of cleaning up is just getting started. As of today, only 5 counties of Vermont’s 14 remain outside the emergency disaster declaration. Addison County, which has yet to be declared by FEMA, received six inches of rainfall overnight last Thursday into Friday, leading to more flooding and destruction. And on Friday, downtown Rutland was hit hard by more rain.

by US Senator Bernie Sanders As you know, Vermont has suffered its worst natural disaster since 1927. The recent floods have damaged 4,000 homes and 800 businesses, as well as roads, bridges, and public infrastructure throughout the state. The cost of repair will run into many hundreds of millions of dollars. Needless to say, the congressional delegation – myself, Senator Welch, and Representative Becca Balint – working with Governor Scott, will do everything possible to make sure that Vermont gets its fair share of federal disaster relief. If you have been impacted by the floods, or know someone who has been affected, please click here and here for more resources, information, and next steps.