Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Welch convened a meeting today with small business owners from across Vermont to discuss the challenges they are facing following catastrophic flooding in state earlier this month.  Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-AL) participated in the meeting. Small businesses impacted by flooding are encouraged to document and report damage by calling Vermont 2-1-1. Visit the Small Business Administration and the Vermont Small Business Development Center for more resources.   

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) today announced a new partnership with Connex Marketplace for the rollout of CONNEX Vermont, a new program designed to strengthen the local and domestic manufacturing supply chain. CONNEX™ Vermont is a powerful online manufacturer-supplier database and connectivity platform provided as a no-cost resource for Vermont manufacturers and suppliers. The platform will combine Vermont manufacturer and supplier data into a single, accurate, searchable scouting-database to better connect manufacturers, provide supply chain visualizations and display workforce and R&D efforts within a region. 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont pushed up 11.1 cents per gallon over the last week and now stand at $3.71/g. Prices are down 75 cents/g from a year ago. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.47/g while the highest was $3.93/g, a difference of 46.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has risen 16.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.72/g today. The national average is up 21.4 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 45.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine The National Life Group Foundation announced more than $1.4 million going to 119 grant recipients in this year’s grant cycle dispersed last month. Created in 2006, the Foundation offers grants to nonprofit organizations primarily in central and northern Vermont and the Dallas, Texas area where the company has offices, with a focus on ending childhood hunger and supporting youth mental health. Breakdown of funds: $701,250 supports ending childhood hunger; $596,500 supports youth mental health; $115,500 supports community development.

Vermont Business Magazine Federal funds are available for affected individuals who suffered damage to their homes or personal property caused by the July severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides in nine counties: Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor. FEMA is in the community, offering survivors many ways to apply for assistance and work with a FEMA representative about their case.

Vermont Business Magazine The Davis & Hodgdon Advisory group has announced the retirement of Founding Partner John W. Davis, CPA, CFP®, PFS, CVA, CEPA. Since founding the firm more than 30 years ago Davis has inspired colleagues, devotedly served clients, and made a lasting impact on the community with his personal and professional efforts. Originally from Pennsylvania, he graduated from the University of Vermont in 1978. In 1990, he founded John Davis and Associates CPAs, and with the addition of Bret Hodgdon as a partner in 2005 the firm was renamed to Davis and Hodgdon Associates. 

Vermont Business Magazine Amid record breaking heat levels, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Monday sent a letter to United States Attorney General Merrick Garland urging him to bring lawsuits against the fossil fuel industry for its longstanding and carefully coordinated campaign to mislead consumers and discredit climate science in pursuit of massive profits.

Vermont Business Magazine Ledyard Financial Group, Inc (ticker symbol LFGP), the holding company for Ledyard National Bank, today announced financial results for Q2 2023 and declared a regular quarterly dividend: Net income of $719 thousand, down 52% from Q1 2023, and down 65% from Q2 2022; Regular quarterly dividend of $0.21. Ledyard is based in Lebanon, NH, with a branch in Vermont. 

Vermont Business Magazine The ninth annual Vermont Breakfast on the Farm will be held Saturday, Aug. 5 at Sunderland Farm in Bridport, Vermont. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m., with breakfast seatings every 15 minutes from 8:30-11 a.m. Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved online in advance. Vermont Breakfast on the Farm is held rain or shine.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets From July 7-18, 2023, Vermont experienced historic and catastrophic severe weather and flooding. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is requesting information from farms, agricultural businesses, and service and non-profit organizations to understand the overall impact of this natural disaster. The purpose of this survey is to, as accurately as possible, capture the type and scale of the damage agricultural producers suffered throughout the state. Survey data will be used to inform response efforts, effectively allocate resources, and advocate for future relief and recovery programs. 

Vermont Business Magazine If your home was damaged by Vermont’s recent floods but you can still live in it safely, FEMA may be able to provide up to $300 to help with cleanup. This Clean and Sanitize Assistance is intended to help homeowners and renters quickly address contamination from floodwaters to prevent additional losses and safety concerns.

Vermont Business Magazine A Disaster Recovery Center will open in Londonderry on July 28 to help Vermont residents affected by the floods kickstart their recovery. The joint DRC, a temporary facility established in partnership between Londonderry, the state of Vermont and FEMA, will help survivors apply for FEMA assistance, upload documents and answer questions in person.