Current News

VermontBiz Following the highly successful Building Bright Futures job fair hosted by the Vermont Retail Lumber Dealers Association (VRLDA), members of the association converged on the State's capital Tuesday to advocate strongly for Senate Bill 304, which has stalled in the House Education committee following its passage in the Senate. This bill aims to comprehensively overhaul the State's Career and Technical Education (CTE) system. Serving as a cornerstone of the VRLDA's workforce development efforts, it promises to establish pathways for Vermont students to access well-paying jobs, enabling them to forge successful careers and lives within our state.

VermontBiz Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak announced today the group of community partners who will advise the administration throughout the FY25 budget planning process. The Mayor’s Community Advisory Team will provide input on the City’s FY25 budget by offering expertise, analysis, and recommendations that help ensure the budget aligns with the City’s priorities and financial requirements. The team will play a supportive role to City staff and the Mayor, who will retain final decision-making power. 

VermontBiz Our villages are an essential part of Vermont’s communities, identity, and future. The Village Trust Initiative (VTI) is designed to promote the community-driven revitalization of the physical and social infrastructure that have been the foundation of success for Vermont’s small villages. 

VermontBiz Prepare to embark on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away as Southern Vermont's premier event invites you to celebrate May The Fourth Be With You Day. Delight in interstellar concoctions, rebel-approved eclectic vendors, and a jedi-worthy feast. Savor exotic brews, gather around blazing lightsaber fire pits, and toast to the finest homebrews in the galaxy! All this and more awaits you at the 14th Annual Southern Vermont Homebrew Festival  on Saturday, May 4th on Depot Street in Bennington, Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Mack Molding, a leading custom plastic injection molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services, announced Tuesday that Josh Pang has been appointed Northern Division President. Pang will succeed Mack Molding President Jeff Somple when he retires later this year. As President of Mack Molding’s Northern Division, Pang will be responsible for the Company’s four Vermont facilities, as well as Mack Prototype, a prototyping and low-volume manufacturing facility in Massachusetts, and Synectic Product Development, an engineering services group in Connecticut. Mack Molding is part of Mack Group, which includes global provider of complex electronic manufacturing services, Mack Technologies, and is led by President and CEO Will Kendall. Pang will be reporting to Kendall, along with Mack Molding Southern Division President Bryan Campbell.

by Holly Sullivan, Community News Service Despite being one of the cloudiest and coldest states, Vermont has the country’s second-highest rate of new skin cancer cases per capita. Using more sunscreen could reduce the rate, and lawmakers want to make it easier to start the habit young. Senators passed S.187 last month to allow students to apply sunscreen freely without it being regulated like a medicine. The bill would let kids carry non-spray sunscreen in backpacks and slather it on whenever they see fit, as long as their parents sign an annual form. A House committee took up the proposal last week. Right now, putting on sunscreen in Vermont schools is a tall order. 

Vermont Business Magazine Leaders from more than 30 local organizations and government agencies came together today on the Church Street Marketplace to celebrate a collaboration aimed at strengthening the greater Burlington community. The Small Acts of Community effort, a twist on “small acts of kindness,” encourages people from all walks of life to take small actions to build a stronger community, recognizing the profound impact small acts can have. At the event, Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak joined leaders from the University of Vermont Health Network, Howard Center and Burlington Business Association in front of longtime local business Homeport on Church Street. Staff handed out stickers, tote bags, and window clings to people stopping by, and discussed the effort with shoppers and visitors. Throughout March and April, the team has introduced the idea and gathered pledges at several pop-up events. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims rose for the week of April 6, 2024, as the ski season wound down after a late surge of snow and the expectation of eclipse visitors to the state, of which the state is still accumulating economic data. For the week, there were 423 claims, up 181 for the week but 5 fewer than this time last year. The state unemployment rate is also near historic low levels (2.3 percent in February).  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Italian Cultural Association (VICA) and the Italian Consulate General of Italy in Boston announced today an exchange program for educators in Vermont and Italy centered around food systems education and farm-to-school professional learning. The purpose of the exchange is to share agricultural knowledge and leverage shared values of local food production and sustainability. The program’s first exchange participants are four teachers from Montpelier High School, Sam Bromley, Colleen Purcell, Brigitte Savard, and Tom Sabo. Each is an active member of the Northeast Farm to School Institute. They are in Northern Italy this week being hosted by the Istituto d'Istruzione Superiore "Marco Polo," in Colico, Italy, where they will learn about the agriculturally rich region, the dairy supply chain, and the Institute’s innovative food education programming. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that COVID-19 cases climbed from 32 to 56. In addition, hospitalizations also edged up slightly as COVID overall remains at a low level. There were no fatalities last week. The pandemic death total now stands at 1,144 as of April 6, 2024 (the most recent data available). Total reported deaths in January were 28, which is the highest monthly total in a year, but only 16 in February, 11 so far reported in March and none in April. The VDH reported last week that COVID-19 hospitalizations were at a statewide total of 10, which is among the lowest they've been since last summer. COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH.

by Erin Forbes, DVM, Mountain View Animal Hospital Chair, VVMA Communications Committee May is arthritis awareness month in pets. Just like humans, animals all suffer from this inflammatory condition that causes pain, swelling, and a decreased quality of life. Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered a degenerative joint disease, which means it cannot be cured but controlled. Fortunately, there are many options in veterinary medicine to help ensure your beloved companion is able to enjoy their life to the fullest, even when they have arthritis. Arthritis is a complex disease that leads to chronic pain. The joints will begin to deteriorate, your pet will start to make lifestyle changes—walking less, hiding more, not coming down the stairs. While some may think this is normal age-related changes, if caused by arthritis it is due to pain and should be addressed.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) today issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify electric vehicle (EV) charging providers that are capable of building out Vermont’s charging network to federal and state specifications. Providers selected in the RFQ process will be invited to bid on subsequent Requests for Proposals (RFP) for the design, construction, ownership, operation, and maintenance of public charging infrastructure along key routes. Vermont will receive $21.2 million during a five-year period from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The first phase of the program focuses on installing fast chargers every 50 miles along the nation’s highway corridors, within one mile from highway exits.