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NBT Bank and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce have partnered to launch a new webinar series designed to provide businesses across the state with the valuable, data-driven economic insights they need to thrive in a dynamic marketplace. The Economic Insights webinar series will feature in-depth analysis and expert guidance from Kenneth J. Entenmann, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer & Economist at NBT Bank.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak announced a Tax Fairness Working Group consisting of City staff and community members who will be responsible for analyzing the City’s property tax structure. In May 2025, the Working Group will provide recommendations to the Mayor on how Burlington can create a more sustainable and equitable tax system. The establishment of the Working Group reflects the Mayor’s commitment to affordability and comes at a time when the City is also identifying ways to strengthen existing affordability programs for ratepayers at city-owned utilities Burlington Electric and Water Resources, which are leaders in innovative assistance programs.  

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Scott and Jennifer M.V. Fitch, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS), have notified the Addison County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) that they were awarded $34,447 for three Addison County businesses through the Building Communities Grant Program for projects in Leicester, Middlebury, and Vergennes. The Building Communities program annually awards $900,000 in matching grants statewide to municipalities and nonprofit organizations for capital costs associated with capital investments in the following categories: human services, health care and education, recreation, and economic development. Organizations in Addison County were awarded a total of $87,081 for eight projects in all four categories for the fiscal year 2025 funding round. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s youngest and oldest will soon have more opportunities to learn and socialize through painting, storytelling, dance, music, and other arts programming supported by grants from the Vermont Arts Council. Twelve organizations received a total of $50,000 in funding through the Council’s Creative Aging grant program, which awards grants of up to $6,000 to support skill-based instruction alongside opportunities for social engagement and community building in and through the arts for older adults. Eligible applicants are non-profits with 501(c)(3) status, such as arts organizations, libraries, senior centers, area agencies on aging, or social service organizations.

The Vermont Agency of Education, in collaboration with New Solutions K12, presents this professional development series about strategic budgeting for schools and school districts. There are ten sessions in total, recorded in December of 2024. More information and additional resources are available on the AOE website. View the webinar playlist on the AOE's YouTube channel.

Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles If you’re interested in renewing your license online, please take note of the following important information: Renewal vs. Replacement: If you’re only given the option to replace your credential during the online renewal process, you likely need an updated photo. Photo Update Requirement: Photos must be updated every nine years. If your photo hasn’t been updated within that timeframe, you must visit us to complete your renewal. Please call 1-888-970-0357 to schedule an appointment.

Vermont Business Magazine A group of undergraduate students and faculty from Vermont State University (VTSU) recently attended the American Geophysical Union (AGU) annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Students absorbed information on a wide range of topics in sessions with roughly 25,000 scientists from over 100 countries and had an opportunity to present their research on a national scale. The American Geophysical Union (AGU) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with approximately 130,000 members, including Earth, atmospheric, ocean, hydrologic, space, and planetary scientists and enthusiasts. AGU’s annual meeting is the largest gathering of Earth and space scientists, bringing together attendees to share research, foster connections, and advance understanding of our planet and environment.

Vermont Business Magazine VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce Union Mutual Insurance Company as the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Business of the Year Award. The award will be presented to Union Mutual at the opening session of the Vermont Economic Conference on January 28 at the UVM Dudley Davis Center. Founded in 1874, Union Mutual has been woven into the fabric of Vermont for more than a century and a half. Throughout its history, the company has combined strong financial performance with a deep sense of social responsibility, supporting a range of community initiatives across the region. In 2024 alone, Union Mutual employees collectively contributed over 230 volunteer hours to local organizations such as Special Olympics Vermont, Meals on Wheels, and the Vermont Foodbank. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority, or VEDA, has ended the first half of its fiscal year by providing $26.7 million to Vermont businesses. A total of 71 loans to businesses in 13 of Vermont’s 14 counties were closed July-December. VEDA also celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. As it follows the state government's calendar, January 1 of this year marks the midway point of fiscal year 2024/2025.  

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s public pensions have reached their highest funding ratios in nearly a decade, Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced today at a press conference with union leaders, the Vermont Pension Investment Commission (VPIC), and members of the Legislature. Pieciak, who served on the Pension Task Force in 2021, credited the improved outlook to the 2022 reforms implemented under Act 114, robust FY24 investment returns, and tri-partisan Legislative support of the state’s retirement systems. A recent analysis by the Treasurer’s Office indicates the pension reforms and prefunding other post-employment benefits (OPEB) are projected to save taxpayers nearly $5.8 billion over time. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Edward Andersen, 49, of Essex Junction, Vermont, was arraigned yesterday on one felony count of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, one felony count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, and two felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials. The charges brought against Mr. Andersen are the result of a criminal investigation, including the execution of search warrants, conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), which included personnel from the Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Burlington Police Department, South Burlington Police Department, Essex Police Department, and the Department of Children and Families. Based on the criminal investigation, Mr. Andersen was charged with the above listed offenses.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week (after a two-week gap for the holidays) that the number of COVID-19 cases rose to their highest level since early November, while hospitalizations subsided after a brief rise, but remained low. There was only 1 reported fatality over the last two weeks. Hospitalizations and general "syndromic" cases were over 5 cases (low) statewide for the week. The number of reported COVID cases rose to 138 from 106. Cases had fallen in April and May and were as low as 31 at the beginning of May 2024, before rising at the end of summer through the early part of the fall. However, wastewater monitoring still shows a relatively low level of virus, except for a spike in the Montpelier report to its highest level in a full year. There was a smaller increase in Burlington. The pandemic death total stands at 1,235 as of December 24, 2024