Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The colors of Vermont’s fall foliage season are right around the corner, reminding us all of the changing seasons. Cooler temps, sweatshirts, flea markets and the red, yellow and orange leaves of our state’s maple trees are all part of our shared Vermont Fall experience. In celebration of the many year-round benefits of our maple industry, The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and several partners are bringing back the Vermont Maple 100 this Fall to connect those enjoying Vermont’s fall foliage season with Vermont maple related businesses, activities, and food. Beginning today and running until October 15th, this statewide campaign offers visitors and Vermonters alike the chance to discover favorite Vermont maple snacks, treats and local products, as well as discover new ways to enjoy Vermont's sweetest treat.

by Dan Smith, president and CEO, Vermont Community Foundation I am a relentless and dogged optimist. That is likely why I can’t help but respond to my friend Bill Schubart’s recent commentary on “Philanthropy: The Dark Side of Giving...Getting.” (Full Disclosure: Bill is a great friend and mentor.) At a time when clickbait framing tends to the dark and stormy, it is worth keeping the bright side in mind as we weigh Bill’s important message. No doubt, the concerns outlined are real, but when we think locally and stay connected, philanthropy and the act of giving—including the act of giving through charitable vehicles like donor advised funds—bring us more closely together. When those funds are positioned to be relevant to the needs of our neighbors, skepticism about philanthropy at large shouldn’t offer a reason to do less, which is the real risk.

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, Burlington Electric Department will host its first annual Net Zero Energy Festival: A Supercharged Day of Family Fun. For Burlington to meet its Net Zero Energy city goal by 2030, Burlingtonians are working to reduce fossil fuel use and electrify as much as they can – cars, bikes, heating sources, cooking ranges, appliances, mowers, blowers, and more. Members of the Burlington community and beyond can learn how to take steps toward a Net Zero Energy future by visiting with us outdoors at BED's 585 Pine Street offices this Saturday, September 17 from 9am to 1pm.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermonters who want to upgrade their home water heater have a chance to win a brand new, highly-efficient electric heat pump water heater installed at their residence thanks to a contest held by VGS in celebration of its three decades as northwest Vermont’s thermal energy efficiency leader. The giveaway contest began September 6 and will run through November 6, 2022. Three randomly selected winners will be gifted an electric heat pump water heater (HPWH) that VGS will install free-of-charge. The contest is open to all Vermonters who are eligible for VGS’s HPWH program.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont-NEA Board of Directors has announced its general election recommendations, giving the nod to Democrats and Progressives for the major statewide offices. The board is recommending the election of Democrat Brenda Siegel for governor; Progressive/Democrat David Zuckerman for lieutenant governor; Democrat Sarah Copeland-Hanzas for secretary of state; Democrat Mike Pieciak for treasurer; Democrat/Progressive Doug Hoffer for Auditor of Accounts; and Democrat Charity Clark for attorney general. The board earlier announced its recommendations of Rep. Peter Welch for US Senate and State Sen. Becca Balint for US House.

Vermont Business Magazine Deer hunters who applied for a Vermont muzzleloader season antlerless deer permit by the August 3 deadline can now go to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website to see if they won a permit. Fish and Wildlife announced the permit winners on September 14, after conducting a randomized computer drawing. Permit winners are listed in two categories: regular lottery winners and landowners. Landowners who apply for a landowner antlerless permit are prohibited by law from posting their land against hunting.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced the appointment of Nicolas Longo as Director of Aviation. “After a rigorous and competitive search, I am proud to announce Nicolas Longo as Burlington’s next Director of Aviation,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “Through his nearly decade-long career here at the Airport, and at every step of the selection process, Nic demonstrated that he has the skills, expertise, vision, and commitment to lead the next chapter of growth and success for the Airport.” Weinberger thanked the selection committee for their hard work, the committee brought forward three strong candidates for the position, as well as the Airport Commission and Airport employees for their support and leadership throughout the search process.

Vermont Business Magazine On Thursday, Champlain College will celebrate the grand opening of a state-of-the-art esports arena at its Miller Center Lakeside campus in Burlington. The new facility is home to Champlain’s varsity and club esports teams. In addition to supporting students in competitive play, the esports program paves the way for students to learn about and gain experience in the multi-billion-dollar video game industry, and cultivate skills in related fields such as marketing, graphic design, broadcast media production, communication, business management, and more.

Vermont Business Magazine Refugees making their home in Vermont will now be able to access in-state tuition rates at all Vermont State Colleges system institutions, thanks to an expansion of Act 166 of 2022. Act 166 updates residency policies to ensure that refugees making their home in Vermont can access in-state tuition rates at the Community College of Vermont. The Board of Trustees of the Vermont State Colleges adopted and then expanded this initiative to apply to all Vermont State Colleges institutions. Effective June 1, 2022, refugees living in Vermont and attending Castleton University, Community College of Vermont, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College will pay in-state tuition rates. This policy will be upheld when the new Vermont State University launches in July of 2023.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Commerce and Community Development has announced that it received a $249,000 exporting grant to assist small businesses in the state. The grant is awarded through the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), a federal-state partnership initiative to increase the number of small businesses exporting their products. Vermont’s exports and imports accounted for approximately $5.8 billion in 2021; international trade accounts for 17 percent of the state’s gross domestic product.