Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Lake Champlain Chamber (LCC) will gather the region’s business community in celebration at their 114th Annual Gala on Thursday, April 10 at Hula. Four awards will be presented to businesses, non-profits, and their leaders in recognition of their accomplishments and contributions to the community. Nominations are now open and will be accepted until February 21, 2025. The LCC Business of the Year Award honors a business that has demonstrated growth in its employment, production, and operations and has a substantial history of success. It has a positive social and economic impact on the Lake Champlain region. The recipient must have shown outstanding growth, significant achievements in innovation, and superior community involvement through the commitment of time and resources.  

by Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts & Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore We are reaching out to share some additional information regarding likely changes to water quality regulation on farms. As you may have heard, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has directed Vermont to shift certain permits currently issued to farms by the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (AAFM) to having similar permits issued by the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR). EPA has determined that this change is important to ensuring that Vermont is fulfilling its obligations under the federal Clean Water Act. While this change ultimately will have little impact on the continuity of farm operations, we – AAFM and ANR – would like to provide clarity on how this change came about and how we will ensure farmers are kept in the loop on changes to permits and regulations going forward.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.14/g, down 3 cents per gallon from last week, down 6 cents/g from last month, and down 45 cents/g from a year ago. The lowest price in the state this week is $2.39/g, while the highest is $3.35/g, a difference of 96 cents per gallon. The lowest price in the state this week is $2.39/g, while the highest is $3.35/g, a difference of 96 cents per gallon. Prices in the southern half of the state, especially Windham and Bennington counties, tend to be the lowest. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.11/g today. The national average is down 8 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 31 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has announced the release of its 2023-2024 Legislative Biennium Report, highlighting the critical role of state-level policymaking in shaping the business landscape and economy of Vermont. The report underscores the essential need for active engagement and advocacy in Montpelier. "It is imperative that a diverse range of perspectives is included in the policymaking process. True innovation and balanced policy outcomes arise from collaboration—a practice central to the work of the Vermont Chamber."

Vermont Business Magazine Sunset Lake Road runs along the eastern shore of Sunset Lake in Benson, VT. This scenic lake is a draw for recreational users, but the restricted nature of the public road along the lake’s narrow shoreline has resulted in multiple problems including an unstable and eroding shoreline, sediment and nutrient pollution into the lake from the gravel road, and little room for parking. There is a long history of attempts to address these ongoing issues along the Sunset Lake shoreline in a piecemeal fashion, but a more holistic, well planned, and long-term approach is needed to truly remedy these issues. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Foundation has announced its Spark Connecting Community grant program has awarded $153,934 to 35 organizations across Vermont. Recipients, which include municipalities, schools, nonprofits, and community groups, will host local projects that strengthen community connections. Vermonters will be brought together around climate resiliency work, art, gardening, and food. Spark Connecting Community is a competitive grant program at the Foundation that puts building and nurturing community front and center. The Community Foundation aims to support grassroots work happening throughout the state that builds social capital. These grants–where a small amount can make a big difference–are intended to light the spark that encourages community vitality and keeps Vermonters healthy and happy.

Vermont Business Magazine The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that the University of Connecticut’s (UConn) Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) is open and accepting requests from communities and organizations across New England for technical assistance to help address local environmental justice challenges. UConn will partner with the New England Rural Health Association in Barre, Vt., to engage with local communities across New England. EPA selected UConn to establish one of 18 TCTACs across the country and awarded UConn $10 million to support this work for five years. UConn’s TCTAC will provide critical support to overburdened communities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and federally recognized Tribes in New England. The assistance will help local communities navigate the federal grant application process, strengthen their capacity for community engagement, and ensure they can benefit from funding opportunities from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Vermont Business Magazine The DeltaClimeVT climate economy business accelerator is seeking innovative start-up and seed stage ventures offering innovative products and services aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience in an effort to help Vermont meet its climate goals. During Energy 2025, entrepreneurs will work directly with Vermont utilities who are ready to work directly with Vermont utilities to contribute to Vermont’s Comprehensive Energy Plan (90% renewables/efficiency by 2050), Vermont’s Climate Action Plan, and Burlington’s Net Zero by 2030 goals. Over three months, the program includes intensive work sessions, two online and two in-person intensive sessions (each 2-4 days in duration), weekly assignments and bi-weekly webinars as well as frequent 1:1 engagement with mentors.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2025 Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Each year RTP offers the opportunity for Vermont municipalities, non-profits, and other governmental entities to receive funds to develop, restore, and maintain public recreational trails.  RTP is a reimbursement program funded by the Federal Highway Administration and is expected to administer approximately $500,000 in this year’s round. Award amounts are dependent on each project’s merits and needs, with a maximum grant award of $50,000 for Standard RTP projects. Grantees must commit to securing a minimum 20% match. 

Vermont Business Magazine Hunters are gearing up for the start of Vermont’s traditionally popular 16-day regular deer season that begins Saturday, November 16 and ends Sunday, December 1. A hunter may take one legal buck during this season if they did not already take one during the archery deer season.  The definition of a legal buck depends on the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU).  A map of the WMUs is on pages 24 and 25 of the 2024 VERMONT HUNTING & TRAPPING GUIDE available from license agents statewide. 

Vermont Business Magazine The national Citizens Business Conditions Index (CBCI) moderated to 50.04 in the third quarter but remained in expansionary territory. The second consecutive reading above 50 indicates that business conditions continue to be solid. Vermont leapt ahead to 53.43, slightly above the regional average according to Citizens Financial Group data – increasing almost 12% since this time last year. See attached or below for more, including a graph on the latest economic findings. (The national index moderated to 50.04 in the third quarter but remained in expansionary territory. The second consecutive reading above 50 indicates that business conditions continue to be solid.) Citizens’ proprietary data showed a continuation of positive company revenue trends across most industries and geographies in the third quarter. Consumer trends also remained resilient against the backdrop of a strong labor market. 

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company, today reported its financial results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024. Net income was $5.8 million for the quarter, down $(12.4) million, or down (68.2)%, as compared to $18.2 million for the same period in 2023. Revenues were $411.6 million for the quarter, up $58.9 million, or up 16.7%, from the same period in 2023. Casella also acquired six businesses year-to-date with over $200 million in aggregate annualized revenues, including Royal Carting and Welsh Sanitation on October 1, 2024.