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Vermont Business Magazine On Sunday, Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vermnt) issued the following statement on President Joe Biden: “Today, Joe Biden made a difficult and selfless choice. He put our democracy and the future of our nation ahead of himself. For this, and for all he has done, Joe Biden will be remembered as one of the greatest presidents of our time. His agenda, which has unified our party, will be his legacy. His ability to overcome personal tragedy has inspired generations of Americans."

by Charlotte Oliver, Community News Service A Honduran mother and her two kids, who had been living in Vermont after fleeing threats to their lives, were deported last week after being detained by immigration authorities in St. Albans. Now, activists and legal experts say Greisy Mejia and her children were denied their rights and that officials violated immigration procedure. The 29-year-old woman, along with her 9-year-old daughter and infant son, had twice fled violence in Honduras and, on their second attempt, crossed the southern border this February while avoiding border agents, according to her advocates. After entering the States, she and her kids were kidnapped, abused and held for several thousand dollars in ransom for weeks, her supporters said. 

Vermont Business Magazine The National Life Group Do Good Fest hosted 6,500 people on its back lawn on Saturday, July 13, raising a total of over $110,000 for Branches of Hope, the cancer patient fund at Central Vermont Medical Center’s (CVMC) National Life Cancer Treatment Center and youth mental health programs at Howard Center. In its 10th anniversary and born out of the company’s “Do good, Be good and Make good” values, the National Life Group Do Good Fest has brought national acts to the back lawn of its Montpelier campus every year since 2014 (except two pandemic years) in support of Branches of Hope. This year, Howard Center, which has been supporting youth since the Civil War, was added as a recipient in alignment with National Life’s corporate cause of supporting youth mental health.

Vermont Business Magazine This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will impact traffic on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont for the week of July 22. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.    

by Representative Casey J. Toof What’s the worst thing to do when you are stuck in a hole? Continuing to dig. And what is the worst thing to do in an affordability crisis? Make things less affordable. Yet, in the Vermont Legislature, this common sense is foreign to many of our elected officials. With a population of about 645,000 total Vermonters, the state’s Human Services budget serves one-third of that. And with just above 80,000 students statewide, the state’s Education Fund serves our dwindling student population. Yet this year, the state’s Education Fund—serving just over 80,000 and dropping—will outspend the Human Services budget, which serves about 200,000.

Vermont Business Magazine Following major flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Beryl on July 10th, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is launching a new Flood Loss and Damage Survey to understand the impact on Vermont farms. Last week’s flooding comes on the heels of severe weather last season that caused significant damage and economic harm to farms and food producers across the state. Many of these Vermonters, still not fully recovered from last year’s crisis, are once again facing uncertainty and trauma. VAAFM in coordination with the Vermont Agricultural Recovery Task Force is asking flood-impacted agricultural producers to participate in the 2024 Flood Loss and Damage Survey.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont took home 34 individual ribbons at the American Cheese Society‘s (ACS’s) National Judging and Competition event this year, including 10 first place positions, 14 second place positions, and 10 third place positions.  Winners were announced last week at the American Cheese Society‘s annual conference, held in Buffalo, New York. The competition is the most prominent competition of its kind in North America. Judges assess cheese on technical and aesthetic qualities in order to showcase talent, leadership, and excellence in cheesemaking.  

Vermont Business Magazine Crews from multiple agencies spent the day Friday searching for Roberta Martin, 82, of Enosburgh. Members of the Vermont State Police, including the Crime Scene Search Team, executed a search warrant Friday morning at a house and property adjacent to Ms. Martin’s home on Butternut Hollow Road. As of 11:10 p.m., she has not been located. Detectives, meanwhile, continue to conduct interviews and search for evidence. The Victim Services Unit is providing support to Ms. Martin’s family. The available information continues to indicate that her disappearance is suspicious.

Vermont Business Magazine Tickets are on sale for the Green Mountain Aviation Field Days September 14-15 at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. The two-day festival will inspire and educate aviation enthusiasts of all ages from 10 am to 5 pm by celebrating the “Past, Present and Future of Aviation.” Presented by the Vermont Aviators Association, GMA Field Days will showcase the region’s rich aviation history and its contributions to the community, with a significant emphasis on education and STEM-related industries. Event festivities will focus on breaking down barriers for youth to get involved in aviation, learn about career opportunities, and celebrate what aviation means to Burlington and the State of Vermont. 

Vermont Business Magazine Lawmakers override Scott’s veto of property tax ‘yield bill,’ five others; Vermont’s unemployment rate held at 2.1 percent in May; Vermont ski areas boasted over 4 million skier visits despite weird weather; Maple syrup production rebounds to 3.1 million gallons; Treasurer announces $3.7M in savings as ratings hold strong; NEFCU and VSECU announce EastRise Credit Union as new name and brand; Homelessness in Vermont increases; Vermont Senators sue the governor over Ed Secretary appointment; AG announces $3.1 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson over talc; and more.

Vermont Captive Insurance Association The VCIA Conference will be held August 11-14 in Burlington. It is designed to provide value to those new to captive insurance AND advanced professionals in the field. Close to 900 captive insurance colleagues will participate in #VCIA2024.

Vermont Business Magazine Shelburne Museum presents the work of renowned British artist Paul Scott in the exhibition Confected, Borrowed & Blue: Transferware by Paul Scott that includes provocative reinterpretations of 19th-century transferware from Shelburne Museum’s permanent collection along with a work commissioned for the exhibition.