Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Well-documented natural gas pipeline constraints, coupled with global supply chain issues related to deliveries of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), are placing New England’s power system at heightened risk heading into the winter season, according to ISO New England Inc., operator of the region’s power grid. The ISO expects to have the resources needed to meet consumer demand if the winter is mild, but a severe prolonged cold snap could necessitate emergency actions if power-producing resources lack access to the fuel they need to operate. NOAA is expecting a warmer than average winter. ISO New England anticipates demand for electricity will peak at 19,710 megawatts (MW) during average winter weather conditions of 10°F, and 20,349 MW if temperatures reach below average conditions of 5°F. These projections are both about 2 percent lower than last year’s forecasts.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington School District (BSD) invites students, staff, family members, and members of the greater Burlington community to apply to be a member of BSD’s LGBTQ+ Task Force. The group will meet biweekly beginning in January 2022 to better understand the District’s strengths and areas for improvement in supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and create and implement a set of recommendations that will inform actions in the District’s new strategic plan. Applications to join the Task Force are being accepted now.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray (D) announced her campaign to represent Vermont in the US House of Representatives. Congressman Peter Welch (D) previously announced he would seek the US Senate seat of retiring Patrick Leahy (D). Gray is the first declared candidate for the state's lone seat in the House.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets hosts the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), which serves dairy businesses in the ten-state Northeast region. We are excited to announce the center's third round of funding through the USDA Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBII) program. This $6,133,333 award allows the NE-DBIC to keep investing in catalytic projects that advance community- and climate-forward dairy production across the region and right here in Vermont.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health on Sunday reported that the state set another one-day record for COVID-19 cases with 643. Case counts were especially high in Rutland County, with 97, and Windsor County, with 80. On Saturday, the VDH reported 539 cases of COVID-19, which had been the third highest total since the start of the pandemic. There were 482 cases of COVID-19 Friday. The previous record was 635 on December 1.

Senator Patrick Leahy “Bob Dole was a giant of the Senate. I remember the large number of Republican and Democratic Senators gathering on the Floor to praise him when he stepped down from the Senate. Traveling with him, working with him and writing legislation with him are among my fondest memories of the Senate. Marcelle and I were honored to be with him when he received the Congressional Gold Medal and I was humbled to be asked to speak along with Senator Pat Roberts about Senator Dole. Marcelle and I send sincere condolences to his wonderful wife Elizabeth.”

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott: "To have had a mask mandate we would have had to continue the state of emergency. I don’t think that that was necessary or appropriate to continue that form of government. It can be so easily abused."

Vermont Business Magazine The fourth quarter is the busiest time of the year for local chocolatier Lake Champlain Chocolates (LCC). And like a lot of businesses locally and around the country, hiring seasonal staff to make, package, and ship the chocolate has been harder than ever before. Step in Rhino Foods, another long- time Burlington South End business to save the day. Rhino Foods’ slowest time of the year is the fourth quarter (being a manufacturer of ice cream and frozen dessert inclusions) and due to annual facility maintenance and installation of new equipment they have extra staff available for work. Instead of turning employees away for those weeks, Rhino is lending them to Lake Champlain Chocolates.

​Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel (VT NDCAP) will hold its fourth meeting of 2021 on Monday evening, December 6, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. While this meeting will be conducted primarily as a webcast and teleconference, in accordance with Vermont Open Meeting Law, the following physical location will be available for those wishing to attend and participate in person:

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health on Saturday reported 539 cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, which is the third highest total since the start of the pandemic. There were 482 cases of COVID-19 Friday. Health Commissioner Dr Mark Levine on Tuesday said that case counts have been up and down since the Thanksgiving holiday as there had been fewer people seeking to be tested. Now people are back to getting tested. Dr Levine has said he is concerned that the holiday would lead to higher case counts, which appears now to be the situation.

Vermont Business Magazine Terry Bicycles announced Saturday that it has been acquired by the Flagg Bicycle Group. Terry is the original women’s cycling company and is an industry leader in designing innovative apparel, saddles and accessories for all types and sizes of riders. Liz Robert will remain President/CEO and shareholder in the company, now named Terry Precision Cycling, and will continue to lead its existing staff at its facility in Burlington, Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Windsor Improvement Corporation (WIC) will be hosting a public information meeting on Thursday, December 9th, at 7 pm at the Windsor Welcome Center to present information on a proposed downtown housing development. There will be a virtual option to attend. Windham & Windsor Housing Trust and Evernorth are proposing the construction of a new infill development located at 133-139 Main St, behind the Windsor Diner. This new development would be a mixed income residential development with 30 units, affordable to a range of incomes (up to $55,200 for a single person or $71,000 for a family of 3).