Current News

Vermont Business Magazine When a Vermont employer fired an employee who said they would contact the “labor board” if they did not get paid for job-related travel time, the company violated federal protections against retaliation and found themselves facing costly consequences after a US Department of Labor investigation. An investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division determined Bevins & Son Inc — operating as Bevins Excavating in Milton — terminated a worker for asking to be paid in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and fitness icon Jake (Body by Jake) Steinfeld, chairman of the National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils (NFGFC), today announced the three Vermont schools that were selected to each receive a state-of-the-art $100,000 DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center. The multi-million dollar DON’T QUIT! campaign has named Essex Middle School in Essex Junction, Milton Middle School in Milton, and Missisquoi Valley Union School in Swanton as the state’s most outstanding schools for demonstrating leadership in getting and keeping their students fit. 

Vermont Business Magazine Ahead of a hearing today in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee on child care funding, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chairman of the committee, and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), a senior member and former chair of the committee, released a stunning new report finding that if Congress fails to act before September 30, 2023, child care across the U.S. could become more expensive and more difficult to find. The critical child care funding Democrats delivered in the American Rescue Plan saved the child care sector from collapse as the pandemic hit – saving high quality child care slots for 10 million children nationwide and 1 million child care jobs. But the funding is set to expire on September 30th, putting access to affordable child care at risk. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest mountain resort in Eastern North America and a POWDR company, today announces the culmination of the 2022/23 Winter Season with a bonus day of skiing and riding on Thursday, June 1. The May sun has done a number on the Superstar Glacier, but thanks to our advanced snowmaking and grooming techniques, we’ve managed to hold on to enough of our stockpile to provide great skiing and riding for the second June in a row. The Superstar Express Quad spins starting at 9 a.m. and we anticipate top-to-bottom turns. Arrive early for the best coverage and help us cap off the longest season in the East.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Changemakers Table, with contributions from the Vermont Community Foundation, has distributed eight grants totaling $40,000 to provide unrestricted operating support for organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) working with rural communities across Vermont. The Vermont Changemakers Table, convened by the Vermont Community Foundation and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), hosts an annual cohort of approximately 20 leaders under the age of 35 from across Vermont. The group collaboratively designs a grant round to distribute a pool of funds aimed at addressing needs across the state.

Vermont Business Magazine After a long, successful run with the Champlain Valley Fair and citing rising costs, the iconic Al’s French Frys has adjusted their business model and will no longer participate with the Champlain Valley Fair. The following are the statements from Al’s French Frys and the Champlain Valley Exposition . “For decades, Al’s French Frys has served up their delicious pints of Frys during the ten best days of summer. We’ll miss our working relationship but understand the need to adjust their business model as they eye more satellite options. We wish the entire team at Al’s French Frys and the Bissonette’s all the best in their future endeavors

Vermont Business Magazine The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced eight grants totaling $1,116,440 to Vermont arts and cultural organizations, including the Vermont Arts Council, which has been approved for an $968,940 NEA FY 2023 partnership agreement to deliver arts programs, services and activities throughout Vermont. The Vermont awards are part of more than $103.1 million in recommended NEA grants to organizations in all 50 states and US jurisdictions.

Vermont Business Magazine In an effort to improve safety on local roadways, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) is pleased to announce the Small Scale Local Safety Grant Program funded with Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds. The goal of this program is to address simple improvements that will increase safety on the local roadway system. Projects should ideally be ready for construction in 2023-2024. Small scale grant awards are capped at $35,000, and the minimum award amount is $5,000.

Vermont Business Magazine A new federal grant will help Vermont provide mental health and substance use services to more people throughout the state. The Vermont Department of Mental Health, in collaboration with the Department of Health, has been awarded a $1 million, one-year state planning grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop a network of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs).  

by Megan Sullivan The 2023 legislative session has been underscored by new and increased taxes and fees on both individuals and businesses, leading to $150 million of likely cost increases for Vermonters. This significant burden is particularly concerning given the ongoing economic pressures of high inflation, workforce shortages, and declining state revenue from personal income tax. All of this is happening as the state settles into a post-pandemic baseline.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Steven J. Malaney Jr., 59, of Burlington, Vermont, was arraigned today on four felony counts and one misdemeanor count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. The charges brought against Mr. Malaney are the result of a criminal investigation conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), which included personnel from the Attorney General’s Office, Burlington Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. VT-ICAC’s investigation included the execution of a search warrant into Mr. Malaney’s residence and his electronic devices.

Vermont Business Magazine The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, chaired by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), will hold a hearing Wednesday, May 31, at 10 am ET titled, “Solving the Child Care Crisis: Meeting the Needs of Working Families and Child Care Workers.” Today, the care workforce at large represents millions of workers across the country, including 2 million child care workers. Despite their important work, on average, child care workers make less than parking lot attendants and pet sitters at just $13.31 per hour, and more than 50 percent rely on public assistance programs.