Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Tax revenues finished ahead of expectations for March, though by a very slim margin with personal income taxes and refunds still to be fully accounted. Personal income finished the month well ahead of its projection after several up and down months and continues to be above its fiscal year target. The sales & use and rooms & meals consumption taxes also had strong months. The General Fund and Education Fund both exceeded their monthly consensus cash flow targets, corresponding to the annual fiscal 2024 consensus forecast update as adopted by the Emergency Board at its January 2024 meeting. Total combined funds still exceeded monthly targets even with the Transportation Fund’s underperformance. The State’s General Fund, Transportation Fund, and Education Fund receipts were a combined $246.1 million, exceeding the $245.1 million monthly consensus target by $1.0 million, or 0.4%. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) is seeking public comment on a proposed amendment of the Willoughby State Forest Long Range Management Plan. The amendment aims to allow for expanded equestrian use within Willoughby State Forest. Developed collaboratively with the Vermont Horse Council, the proposed amendment seeks to enhance equestrian opportunities while ensuring sustainable land management practices. It includes plans to open approximately 14.5 miles of existing roads and trails for equestrian use and establish a new overnight parking area in the southern portion of Willoughby State Forest.

Vermont Business Magazine Due to the recent increase in the number of cases of raccoon rabies reported in Vermont—including one case 10 km from the Québec border—the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs will be distributing vaccine baits in 17 municipalities in the Estrie and Montérégie regions from April 22 to 30, 2024. The aim of this vaccination operation is to limit the risk of raccoon rabies being reintroduced into Québec. It will immunize raccoons, skunks and foxes against raccoon rabies and help to protect human health. Department teams will cover an area of almost 660 km² to manually distribute some 46,200 vaccine baits. Wooded areas, stream banks, the periphery of agricultural fields and spaces near garbage cans will be particularly targeted.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s wildland fire season is now underway. The Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation’s (FPR) Wildland Fire Program is geared up to provide daily updates and seasonal tips to Vermonters to keep them informed about fire danger risks and to help them prevent wildfires in their community. Wildland fires, which include grass, brush, and forest fires, are a particular concern in the spring and fall; however, fires can occur anytime. Already this year, several wildland fires have been reported. These early fires serve as a reminder of the ongoing threat and the need for continued vigilance. Burning debris is the leading cause of wildfires, underscoring the critical importance of proactive measures. In 2023 there were 63 wildfires in Vermont; all were caused by human activity.

Vermont Business Magazine The Northern Forest Center is offering grants of $1,000 - $3,000 to volunteer-led organizations working to increase youth participation in outdoor recreation in Northern Forest Communities. Proposals are due May 1, 2024. Communities across the region are still responding to the pandemic-inspired increase in outdoor recreation. This grant program is intended to help volunteer-led organizations with that new demand, particularly for local youth, by reducing barriers to participation. LL Bean provided funding for the mini-grants program. Grants may be used for projects such as buying tools for trail maintenance, offsetting tuition for volunteer-led summer outdoor programs for youth, providing transportation to recreation locations, and more. 

Vermont Business Magazine Hunters who provided the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department with a tooth from their deer can now find out how old their deer was by visiting the department’s website. A total of 1,966 usable deer teeth were received from successful hunters in 2023.  When added to the 952 deer examined by biologists during the youth and regular November seasons, the department was able to get accurate ages for 2,918 deer. The oldest deer harvested was a 19-year-old doe taken in Leicester. The oldest bucks were 12 years old and were taken in Whitingham and Vershire.

Vermont State Police On April 17, 2024, Jon Schurger (22) of Saint Albans City, VT appeared before the Franklin County Superior Court Criminal Division regarding additional charges stemming from the fatal motor vehicle crash that took place during the early morning hours of June 18, 2023, involving Carson Smith (16) then of Berkshire, VT. Schurger was arraigned on additional charges of manslaughter, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and 2 additional counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor. Schurger entered a plea of not guilty on April 17, 2024, to the aforementioned charges. This case was transferred to the Washington County State’s Attorneys Office, after the Franklin County State’s Attorneys Office recused themselves from this case due to a conflict of interest.

Vermont Business Magazine On Monday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the selection of the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission (UVLSRPC) as a recipient of a $1,188,443 Thriving Communities Regional Pilot Capacity Builder grant. In partnership with Two Rivers- Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC), UVLSRPC will use these funds to support under-resourced and disadvantaged communities in identifying, developing, and delivering transportation projects to achieve locally driven economic development, health, environment, mobility, and access goals. These communities include Acworth, Charlestown, Enfield, Goshen, Lebanon, Lempster, Orford, and Plainfield in New Hampshire; and Bethel, Granville, Hancock, Hartford, Hartland, and Royalton in Vermont. 

VermontBiz U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statement today after the Senate voted to dismiss articles of impeachment against Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas:  

“Articles of impeachment should never be weaponized—they should be presented solemnly and rarely, and only when there is a sound, constitutional standing. The House’s sham impeachment did not rise to that occasion.  

VermontBiz Union Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ - UNB) today announced results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and declared a regular quarterly cash dividend. Consolidated net income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $2.4 million, or $0.53 per share, compared to $3.0 million, or $0.66 cents per share, for the same period in 2023, a decrease of $560 thousand, or 18.8%.

VermontBiz Beginning today, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is releasing grant details for a new USDA initiative to build resilience in the food supply chain, provide more and better markets to farms and food businesses, support the development of value-added products, and promote equitable and safe jobs. These Resilient Food System Infrastructure grants, or RFSI, will reach all 50 states and territories. Vermont is awarding over $3.2 million in grants, broken into two rounds, to Vermont businesses and organizations that strengthen local and regional food systems.  

VermontBiz Becker’s Hospital Review has included the University of Vermont Health Network on its 2024 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare list, noting it is among the hospitals and health systems that prioritize workplace excellence and the happiness, satisfaction, wellbeing, and fulfillment of employees – traits that lead to better care for patients.