Current News

Vermont State Police On April 08, 2023, at approximately 7:45 pm Vermont State Police were dispatched to Parro’s Gun Shop and Police Supply, located at 601 US Route 2, Waterbury, Vermont for a report of a self-inflicted gun-shot wound. Waterbury Ambulance Service responded, along with Barre Town EMS and the male was pronounced deceased. Investigation showed a 24-year old male from California, who was temporarily living in Vermont, traveled to Parro’s and rented a firearm, purchased ammunition, and 1-hour of range time for target shooting. After approximately 40 minutes of target shooting, the male suffered an intentional self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Vermont Business Magazine Sterling College announced today the election of Dr Scott L Thomas as the next president of the Craftsbury Common-based college. Dr Thomas is currently the John P ‘Jack’ Ellbogen Dean of the College of Education for the University of Wyoming. He brings more than 25 years of teaching and leadership experience at private and public institutions. A first-generation college student, Dr Thomas has devoted his career to advancing programs and policies to expand access to quality college opportunities, ensure student success, and build diverse organizations. Dr Thomas holds a BA in Sociology and a Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Leadership, and Research Methods from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Importantly to Sterling, an avid surfer, Nordic skier, and outdoor adventurer, Dr. Thomas has led a life exploring and engaging with environments and cultures around the world. He understands firsthand the importance of place-based experiences, that scale matters, and has learned to hold deep respect for indigenous ways of knowing.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has fully deployed funding through its Short-Term Forgivable Loan Program. The program, enacted by the Vermont Legislature during the 2022 session, was created to support businesses experiencing lasting economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with $19 million allocated from the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. A total of 201 loans were disbursed to businesses in all of Vermont’s 14 counties. The majority were concentrated in Chittenden, Washington and Addison Counties, and in the manufacturing, agriculture, and travel and tourism/hospitality industries.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Weinberger and the Burlington Department of Business and Workforce Development announced the launch of a two-tiered, zero-interest revolving loan program, totaling $500,000, to stabilize and support the growth of Burlington’s small businesses. The funds will be available to underserved business populations who have traditionally faced barriers to accessing capital. During the 2023 fiscal year budget process, City Council approved the use of ARPA funds to launch this program with a specific interest in supporting BIPOC and women-owned Burlington businesses. The city has engaged local lending experts to assist on an underwriting committee aimed at dispersing funds in as low barrier of a manner as possible.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported April 5, 2023, that COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations increased slightly from the previous week. COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH. Hospitalizations increased by 1 to 23 last week (the lowest since last fall was 22 in the previous week). Total cases rose to 265 (from 201). There were 2 COVID-related deaths in the last week for a pandemic total of 943 as of April 1 (this is the most recent update). VDH reported that March recorded 14 COVID-related deaths, the fewest since the summer of 2021. Of the total deaths to date, 749 have been of Vermonters 70 or older. There have been 3 deaths of Vermonters under 30 since the beginning of the pandemic.

by Betsy Bishop, President, Vermont Chamber of Commerce Today, the Vermont Chamber circulated the following message with the Vermont business community: “Your Voice Matters: Inform Legislators How $461 Million of New Taxes and Fees Would Impact You." Right now, legislators are considering a sweeping influx of new taxes and increased fees without reflecting on the long-term impacts it will have on their constituents. We are deeply concerned that Vermonters will be unable to weather the nearly half a billion in increased costs over the next two years that the Legislature is poised to pass this session. We want to be sure you understand what is being proposed.

by Bill Schubart A measure of the Vermont legislature’s commitment to Vermonters’ well-being is the extent to which it commits the money earned from licensing and taxing addictive substances and behaviors into education, prevention, treatment and recovery programs. As the legislature considers an act projected to harvest millions from online sports betting, it should also assess the damage gambling addiction will cause, what the State’s moral obligation to its citizens is, and how it might prevent or remediate that damage. As many as 10 million Americans live with a gambling addiction. The act of gambling itself is legal in most jurisdictions. 33 states have now legalized online sports betting, including 24 jurisdictions that allow online betting, which often makes it easier for people to rationalize risky gambling behaviors. Most people who have a gambling addiction don’t see it as a problem, however. For example, only 21 percent of incarcerated individuals diagnosed with a gambling addiction ever thought their gambling was a problem.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark on Monday joined a multistate coalition to challenge the decision issued by the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas that could restrict medication abortion access nationwide. The amicus brief, filed in the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, urges the court to stay pending appeal of the district court’s ruling, which if allowed to take effect would halt the over two-decades old approval from the US Food and Drug Administration of the medication abortion drug mifepristone. Attorney General Clark and the coalition of 24 attorneys general warn that revoking federal approval for mifepristone will drastically reduce access to safe abortion care and miscarriage management for millions of people across the country, endangering lives, and trampling states’ authority to protect and promote access to abortion.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) today announced the recipients of more than $4 million in federal funds for municipal grant projects through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). “These projects will further enhance and expand our state’s transportation infrastructure,” said Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn. “Improvements to sidewalks, bike paths, and shared-use paths provide Vermonters more transportation options and improve their quality of life.” This year’s funding will be used for all TAP category types throughout Vermont. The TAP committee includes representatives from AOT, the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), and the Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies (VAPDA).

Vermont Business Magazine As more people start raising their own backyard chickens — whether to enjoy the ultimate in local eggs, or just for fun — it’s important to know the health risks associated with poultry so you can take basic steps to protect yourself, your family and your flock. Any domesticated bird kept for producing eggs or meat can carry harmful bacteria, including Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli, that make people sick. Backyard flocks can also be breeding grounds for viruses, such as avian influenza, also known as bird flu. Whether you are building your first coop or are a seasoned poultry owner, take precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your flock.

Vermont Business Magazine Signs of spring are appearing across the state, which means it’s time to think about which fruits, vegetables, and herbs to grow this season. Vermonters can buy seeds and seedlings that produce edible foods with 3SquaresVT benefits. 3SquaresVT is Vermont’s name for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides eligible people monthly benefits to help pay for groceries. 3SquaresVT can be used at more than 600 retailers and 40 farmers’ markets across the state, many of which sell seeds and seedlings come springtime. Benefits can be used to buy seeds and plants at any retailer or farmers’ market that accepts EBT cards, which are mailed to 3SquaresVT participants once they enroll in the program. At most farmers' markets, shoppers with 3SquaresVT can use a program called Crop Cash to double their dollars and buy produce, seeds, and plants – and even get some gardening tips from expert farmers and growers.