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Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies University of Vermont’s Academic Research Commercialization (ARC) Program was founded in 2021 to help faculty commercialize their research and technology. The program has grown steadily over the past three years, offering students the unique opportunity to be entrepreneurs and gain startup experience. In this Q&A, we learn more about the program from Nicole Eaton, one of ARC’s early pioneers, and Rowan Godbout, the current student director.

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Saturday released the following statement after voting against the Continuing Resolution to fund the government that passed the House and Senate early Saturday morning: I’m gratified that states that have been hard hit by natural disasters will finally receive the critical aid that they need. In fact, this bill includes over $200 million in disaster relief for Vermont – something I fought hard to include. But while I strongly support the disaster relief provision, I’m extremely disappointed that some vitally important programs were stripped from the original bill. Some of the provisions that were taken out included an expansion of primary health care, mental health care, substance abuse counseling, nutrition programs for the elderly, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, and expanding apprenticeships for our young people.

Vermont business Magazine Early Saturday, the U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive disaster aid package shaped by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), which will help states like Vermont recover from extreme weather and climate disasters by delivering more than $10.4 billion of relief. The American Relief Act, 2025 will also fund the government through March 14, 2025. It now goes to President Biden’s desk for his signature. 

Vermont Business Magazine Emerge Vermont, the state’s premier organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office, announced today that it has selected its 2025 class. This year’s chosen group of 24 future women political leaders hails from all parts of the Green Mountain State and from diverse backgrounds, and spans the spectrum of races, gender, orientation, socioeconomic levels, and professional experiences. Emerge Vermont’s training program offers Democratic women who want to run for public office a unique opportunity. Cohort members receive 70+ hours of in-depth education over five months that inspires them to run for office and gives them the tools to win. 

by Jules Older Oh, it’s a crisis, all right. When your kid’s book will be delayed a full year because the cover illustrator is suddenly unavailable, that pretty much defines crisis. What to do? Though I write kid’s books, this one’s actually my wife’s crisis. The book is Effin Older’s HELP! Santa is in Trouble!. Yes, it’s a Christmas book, and if she can't get a cover going right now, it won't come out till next Christmas. What to do? Ah-ha — artificial intelligence! Artificial intelligence, better known as AI, just might save the day.

Vermont Business Magazine Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vermont) released the following statement after tonight’s vote to keep the government funded and deliver disaster relief funds to Vermonters: “Tonight, I voted to send disaster recovery funding directly to the communities who need it most and keep the government open. These dollars will help Vermonters build back stronger and more resilient from the devastating flooding we faced the last two years. After Republicans let Elon Musk play games with our nation’s budget, I’m relieved Vermont will finally receive the millions we need to build back our small businesses, farms, homes, and communities."

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak announced that the City of Burlington will open a cold weather emergency shelter at the Miller Center at 130 Gosse Court this weekend. Hours of operation will be Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 AM. The National Weather Service is currently forecasting evening temperatures diving below zero with windchill on Saturday, December 21, and Sunday, December 22. The State of Vermont defines an extreme cold weather emergency using a threshold of –20 degrees Fahrenheit with the windchill factor. The City is acting to open additional shelter this weekend based on a number of factors, including: current estimates indicate upwards of 250 people are sleeping unsheltered in the region.  

Vermont Business Magazine NBT Bancorp Inc (NASDAQ: NBTB) announced that it has received regulatory approval to complete the proposed merger of Evans Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE American: EVBN) with and into NBT and Evans Bank, N.A. with and into NBT Bank, N.A. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency approved the merger of Evans Bank with and into NBT Bank, and NBT received a waiver from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for any application with respect to the merger of Evans with and into NBT. On December 20, 2024, the shareholders of Evans voted to approve the Merger. Evans reported over 75% of the issued and outstanding shares of Evans were represented at a special shareholder meeting and over 96% of the votes cast were voted to approve the Merger.

Vermont Business Magazine The Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont announced the release of its preliminary findings report, commissioned by Act 183 of 2024.The report provides initial critical insights into the complexity of Vermont’s education finance landscape and seeks to provide the legislature with early information to inform its work during the 2025 legislative session. “The Commission is well aware of the challenging and complex policy environment in which it has been asked to do its work. We believe that this initial report can play a role in shaping policy decisions this session,” said Meagan Roy, Commission Chair.

Public Assets Institute Vermont total personal income rose to $43 billion in 2023. Adjusted for inflation, that was an increase of 6 percent over the previous year, the highest among the states. Personal income, a key economic indicator, includes salary and wages, business income, interest and dividends, government benefits such as Social Security, employer retirement contributions, and other income. It does not include capital gains. Personal income is an aggregate measure; it doesn’t tell us how individuals are faring. But Vermont also scored well in 2023 on a measure that does. Census data released in September showed a rise in Vermonters’ median household income of 5.4 percent, after adjusting for inflation—also the largest percentage increase in the country.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment Kerrick Johnson, of North Middlesex, as commissioner of the Department of Public Service, Mike Ferrant, of Williamstown, as deputy commissioner of the Department of Liquor and Lottery and has named Sandy Bigglestone as acting commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation. Ferrant replaces former deputy commissioner Andrew Collier, who was appointed as commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles last month. Johnson replaces June Tierney and Bigglestone will serve as acting commissioner, replacing Kevin Gaffney. Both Tierney and Gaffney will be retiring at the end of the year. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor today reported that the seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for November was 2.4 percent. This reflects an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate. All three major indices were negative. Vermont is tied for second lowest unemployment rate in the nation with North Dakota. South Dakota is lowest at 1.9% and Nevada is highest at 5.7%. The state civilian labor force participation rate was 65.5 percent in November, a decrease of one-tenth of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate. The comparable United States rate in November was 4.2 percent, an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point from the revised October estimate.