Current News

Vermont Business Magazine A federal two-year grant of $400,000 has been awarded to VMEC, the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center, to assist Vermont small and medium-sized manufacturers in building their supply chain initiatives. The funding comes from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an agency of the US Department of Commerce whose mission is “to promote US innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.”  

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets It's not summer in Vermont without a creemee! The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is pleased to share our new Creemee Locator Map. The map is made up of businesses with licenses from our Agency who have confirmed they are selling creemees and opted to participate in the Agency's map. This ensures you find a creemee spot near you that is open and ready for your business! The map will be a living space that grows and is updated as new creemee locations open or some close their offerings for the season, so please bookmark so you may come back year after year! 

by Christine McGowan, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund “The old adage was large columns, large trees,” said Ricky McLain, senior technical director at WoodWorks, “but we don’t need to cut down large trees to make columns and beams from wood anymore.” That was the pitch Adam Kane, executive director of the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, heard from McLain in 2019. Intrigued by the possibility of using mass timber, which had also been suggested by Tim Tierney at the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Kane decided to explore its use for an addition he was planning at the museum. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) joined Burlington small business owners Friday to celebrate the introduction of the Credit Card Competition Act, bipartisan legislation to bring competition to the credit card network market, lower burdensome fees small businesses are charged when processing credit card transactions, and bring down costs for Vermonters. Joined by Homeport’s Mark Bouchette, Wilder Wine’s Sipha Lam, representatives from the Vermont Retail & Grocers Association (VRGA) and local leaders, Senator Welch highlighted the bill’s common-sense approach to cutting costs for Vermont small businesses and families. 

Vermont Business Magazine This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will have traffic impacts on state highways throughout Vermont for the week of June 12, 2023. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.  

Vermont Business Magazine Local leaders and community stakeholders in Springfield will meet next week with members of state government to discuss approaches for reducing violence and harm in the community. This summit is the second in a series that began in March in Bennington. The daylong event scheduled for Monday, June 12, arises from Governor Phil Scott’s 10-Point Public Safety Enhancement & Violence Reduction Action Plan. The event includes representatives from more than 25 agencies, departments and organizations.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Cheese Council has announced that July will mark the start of The Hunt for 2023. On July 1, the event will launch clue packets for its fourth year – providing curated “to do” list of cheese-oriented, outdoor, food and beverage, history, and art experiences for both visitors to the state and locals alike. The event is designed as a scavenger hunt in which participants can explore six different regions of the state, selecting region-specific activities and experiences to do – with the end “prize” of potentially winning cheese at the end of their adventures.

Vermont Business Magazine Common Good Vermont is now accepting applications for this year’s Nonprofit Management (NPM) Certificate Program. Designed for active practitioners and leaders in the nonprofit sector, this program dives into the core competencies of nonprofit management and emerging nonprofit issues. Whether you are currently in a leadership position or new to Vermont’s vibrant nonprofit community, we’ll cover content that is meaningful, relevant, and applicable to your personal and professional growth. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) is holding an in-person listening session to hear input on the current state of internet service; barriers Vermonters have accessing, affording, or using it; and what can be done to improve it. VCBB is gathering input to develop Vermont’s Internet for All plans to bridge the digital divide and ensure all Vermonters have access to affordable broadband as well as the knowledge and equipment to use it.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Light Real Estate, with offices in Montpelier, Northfield, and Barre, celebrates ten years of providing comprehensive buyer and seller services in Central Vermont and statewide. As part of the ten-year celebration, the company is currently running its Give Back To School campaign and donating to local PTNOs for every property listed for sale with Green Light Real Estate before the end of June.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and the Vermont Department of Public Service today announced $1 million in federal funding will soon come to Vermont to establish sustainable energy projects at elementary, middle, and high schools across the state – as well as municipal buildings such as public libraries and town halls. The funds were secured by Sanders through the Congressionally Directed Spending process through the US Department of Energy, and will be administered by the Vermont Public Service Department.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today announced the final approval of opioid agreements with drug makers Teva and Allergan and pharmacies CVS and Walgreens. Following successful state sign-on and subdivision sign-on periods, the defendants have committed to the multi-state deal of $17.3 billion and will start releasing funds to a national administrator later this summer. Vermont will receive $46.4 million over 15 years from its share of the agreements. Money is expected to start flowing to state and local governments by the end of 2023.