Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Sticky Brand - a Burlington company specializing in custom-made stickers, decals, and magnets - has made their second move in just three years into a larger facility. The brand has experienced explosive growth since founder Nick D’agostino partnered with CEO Michael Rist in 2019. The new South Burlington location and former Tesla facilities boasts 15,000 square feet and will be the brand’s production facility and corporate headquarters. Sticky Brand, which is quickly becoming an industry leader in producing high quality custom vinyl stickers, is known for winning the Guinness World Record in 2020 for creating the world’s largest ball of stickers using recycled and scrap material.

Vermont Business Magazine DVFiber, the communications union district serving southeastern Vermont, has announced that it has connected its first customers with high-speed fiber optic Internet. Customers in Readsboro were connected to DVFiber.net late in December. This pilot group is testing the DVFiber network for reliability of speed and access to the Internet for a three-month testing period. DVFiber will survey the pilot group for feedback regarding all aspects of customer service, including initial connection, call response time, repair, customer support, and billing. The survey findings will help ensure that connecting larger numbers of customers will go as quickly and smoothly as possible in 2023.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont rose 1 cent in the last week to $3.41 per gallon. They've fallen 6 cents/g in the last month and are 6 cents/g higher than this time last year. The cheapest station was in Brattleboro at $2.99/g and the most expensive was in Northfield at $3.59. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Burlington was priced at $3.34/g yesterday while the most expensive was $3.49/g, a difference of 15 cents/. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.99/g while the highest was $3.59/g, a difference of 60.0 cents/g.

Vermont Business Magazine Dozens of Vermont residents will step up to serve as volunteers on Monday, January 16, the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. VHCB AmeriCorps members and volunteers will assist the Upper Valley Haven food shelf and kitchen staff in their daily operations at 713 Hartford Avenue, joining hundreds of thousands of Americans across the country in volunteer service. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is a defining moment each year when Americans across the country volunteer to make local communities more equitable and take action to create “the Beloved Community” of Dr. King’s dream.

Vermont Business Magazine The Associated Builders and Contractors New Hampshire/Vermont has announced that Matt Wheaton, executive vice president of DEW Construction, has been named 2023 Chair of the Board. Wheaton oversees estimating, business development, preconstruction and marketing at DEW Construction. His successful career in the construction industry began even before college as a carpenter’s apprentice, where he was first exposed to all facets of residential construction. He went on to pursue the field of architecture, graduating with honors and receiving a Master of Architecture degree from Norwich University. Wheaton has served on the ABC NH/VT board of directors since 2018.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) is beginning a robust public engagement process to identify opportunities to help Vermont chart a path forward to protect the long-term viability of forest-based businesses and the many benefits they provide to the state’s environment, economy, and quality of life. To launch the project, FPR is asking all users of Vermont forest products to complete a survey to help understand their perspectives and opinions about key topics shaping the future of the forest economy and forest products sector in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) wishes to remind all Vermont farmers of Act 135 of 2022. This new law established that beginning January 15, 2023, any Vermont farm which withdrew 10,000 gallons or more of surface water within a 24-hour period in the preceding calendar year, or 150,000 gallons or more of surface water over any 30-day period in the preceding year, shall file a report with VAAFM. Farm surface water withdrawal reporting forms are due to VAAFM by January 31, 2023.

National Holiday to Honor the Iconic Civil Rights Leader

Vermont Business Magazine Post Offices across Vermont will be closed on Monday, January 16, as our employees pause to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Street delivery on Monday will be limited to guaranteed overnight parcels and there will be no collection of mail.

Full retail and delivery operations will resume on Tuesday, January 17.

Vermont Business Magazine Champlain College will honor and celebrate Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a week-long series of short talks, films, and events starting Monday, January 16. These events will encourage students, faculty, staff, and community members to add their voices to the discussion of MLK's contributions, legacy, and the challenging work that remains for us all. A highlight of the day will be a keynote address by Neil Phillips, Chief Diversity Officer of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), who will speak on celebrating human value: grace and renewal. Phillips is a nationally renowned speaker and entrepreneur who brings visibility to the most pressing issues of our time. A Harvard University graduate and former professional basketball player, he now creates opportunities to elevate human value in education, business, and the public/private sector.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont has announced the appointment of Katharine Shepherd, Ed.D., as dean of the College of Education and Social Services (CESS) effective Jan. 15. Shepherd is the Levitt Family Green and Gold Professor of Education who served as interim dean of the college since July of 2021. In addition to her extensive teaching record, she has held numerous leadership positions, including Special Education Program coordinator, vice chair of the Department of Education, interim associate dean for academic affairs and research, associate dean for academic affairs, and interim dean of the college.

Leonine Public Affairs Lawmakers settled into their new committees this week and began the process of familiarizing themselves with the areas of government they oversee. Administration officials from agencies and departments across state government provided the legislative committees with overviews of the work they do and started to lay the groundwork for Governor Phil Scott’s priorities, which will be detailed in his budget address next week.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Mayors Coalition (VMC) have announced their 2023 Legislative Agenda and its commitment to collaborate on and advocate for these areas of common interest for their cities. The Coalition’s priorities include housing, homelessness, support for substance use and mental health, public safety, childcare and public transportation. The Vermont Mayors Coalition was created in 2013 by Vermont’s eight mayors. Six mayors must concur on any recommendation for the Coalition to take a position.