Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Congress of the New Urbanism (CNU) have just completed Enabling Better Places: A Zoning Guide for Vermont Neighborhoods. This how-to manual promotes practical, small steps that Vermont’s cities, towns, and villages can take to address widespread regulatory barriers that limit the choice of homes available to Vermont residents at prices people can afford.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is offering a new way for Vermonters to get started hunting through their recently established mentorship program, “Learn to Hunt: Mentor Meet-Ups.”

“This free, interactive, two-part program is designed for hunters over the age of 16 to pair with experienced mentors at a meet-and-greet this summer followed by a guided hunt this fall,” said Education Manager Alison Thomas. “Hunters will learn safe hunting practices, hunting strategies, hunting regulations, and season dates, and they will be able to apply what they have learned in a mentored hunt.” Hunter Education Program Coordinator Nicole Meier also mentioned, “The goal of this program is to eliminate the barrier to entry many new hunters face. A social support system is key for new hunters and we hope this program will help them build their hunting community.”

Vermont Business Magazine Detectives with the Vermont State Police are hoping an emerging investigative technique involving DNA will help shed light on the unsolved 1982 killing of an infant in Northfield. Baby Boy Doe was found dead April 1, 1982, on the side of Mill Hill Road in Northfield, wrapped in a brown bath towel inside a sealed plastic garbage bag. Evidence indicated the boy had been carried full term and born healthy only hours earlier, likely nearby. His death is attributed to exposure to the elements. The identity of his parents remains unknown.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced over $2.4 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awards to eight communities in seven Vermont counties. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) awards approximately $7 million annually in competitive grants to Vermont cities and towns.

Vermont Business Magazine Although the COVID-19 pandemic is the immediate crisis unfolding at the moment, mitigating climate change is also an urgent issue. Solar PV installation is one way to help reduce greenhouse gases from fossil fuels. Solar Power World has recognized the efforts of solar contractors across the United States in its 2020 Top Solar Contractors list, where local solar installer Norwich Solar Technologies (NST) achieved a rank of 118 out of 407 companies.

Vermont Business Magazine The PUSH to increase participation in the 2020 Census is on! Counties and major cities will compete in a regional challenge to determine who can PUSH a greater self-response rate during Census PUSH WEEK July 27-August 2. The primary goal of PUSH Week is to increase 2020 Census self-response rates via local activities, parades, social messaging campaigns, and Census Mobile Questionnaire Assistance events to ensure that everyone gets counted.

Vermont Business Magazine Three Vermont outdoor companies are participating in the first ever Outdoor Retailer Online (ORO), a virtual trade show for the outdoor industry. For Mana Threads, Kaden Apparel, and UnTapped, the virtual networking event comes as Vermont outdoor brands reimagine their approach to building new markets and reaching new customers in the age of COVID-19. The online trade show, which kicks off this week with three days of virtual events, provides outdoor businesses with an opportunity to connect with retail buyers, businesses, and media. The show, a mainstay of the outdoor industry in the United States, Canada, and other countries, traditionally takes place in person in Denver, CO, and was moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today two new cases of COVID-19 statewide for a total of 1,366. As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the South and West, we ask Vermonters to be prepared in case the virus spreads back toward our state. Though Vermont is holding steady, keeping up the key prevention efforts is critical to helping our fellow Vermonters, health care workers, and school communities planning to open this fall.

Vermont State Police On Wednesday morning Troopers from the Vermont State Police were dispatched to a reported industrial accident in the area of 390 Blake Roy Road, Middlebury. Upon arrival, troopers learned that two GMP linemen were injured when the utility pole that they were working on suddenly broke. Preliminary investigation indicates that linemen Josh McLean and Jared Allen were removing three phase lines from a utility pole and had begun to send equipment to the ground level when the pole suddenly broke at its base. The pole then fell striking a tracked vehicle and broke a second time. Allen landed on the ground adjacent to the pole; McLean landed on the ground with the pole partially on top of him.

​Vermont Business Magazine As a part of services the Vermont Department of Labor continues to provide Vermonters amidst COVID-19, the Department has announced a series of Virtual Job Fair events starting on Thursday, July 23. Through this series of Virtual Job Fairs, the Department of Labor will highlight local employers, and allow job seeking Vermonters to ask questions directly to employers and learn more about local career opportunities.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger released the following statement on the failure of the CityPlace Burlington developer to fulfill its obligations. The mayor is giving developer Brookfield Properties "a short window of time to return with an acceptable proposal for moving forward with the project." If not, the city will find Brookfield in default. Mayor Weinberger in a letter made public today said if the developer abandoned the project it would constitute "a breach of faith and betrayal of trust." The mayor said the city would consider taking some of the land, would demand reimbursement of costs and would pursue "aggressive legal action."

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Senator Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vermont) amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to cut America’s $740 billion military budget by 10 percent to invest in jobs, health care, and education secured the support of 23 members of the Senate Democratic Caucus.