Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Made in Vermont Marketplace is an extraordinary opportunity for Vermont companies to showcase their Made in Vermont products to an audience of thousands of prospective customers in one weekend. The trade show is dedicated to promoting the great variety of Vermont-made products ... from furniture, specialty foods, clothing, wines and so much more! Only Vermont based companies that make their products in Vermont are eligible to exhibit. Show hours are Saturday, April 6th 9 am - 5 pm and Sunday, April 7th 10 am - 4 pm.

Vermont Business Magazine Today the Vermont Senate passed S.259, a bill to establish a Vermont Climate Superfund, on a tripartisan vote of 26-3-1. This fund will hold the largest fossil fuel companies accountable by recouping expenses for the harm caused to Vermonters and the State as a result of the climate crisis. The bill is cosponsored by legislators representing all 14 Vermont counties. Under S.259, fossil fuel companies that have produced more than one billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions between January 1, 1995, through December 31, 2024, would have to pay fines proportional to the damages they’ve caused. Funds will pay for climate mitigation and disaster recovery efforts in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Today the Vermont Senate passed Proposal 3 on a unanimous, tripartisan vote of 29-0-1. Proposal 3 proposes to enshrine in the Vermont Constitution the right of Vermont workers to organize and collectively bargain. Proposal 3 would ensure that Vermonters’ current labor rights are not eroded by future political action. Proposal 3 would ensure workers have the right to choose whether or not to form a union and would protect the authority of chosen unions to effectively represent the interests of their members. In order to amend Vermont’s Constitution, a proposal must be initiated by the Senate, approved by two thirds of the Senate, and approved by a majority vote in the House. If successful, the proposal must then pass the succeeding Senate and House with a majority vote before being considered by Vermont voters in the General Election.

Vermont Business Magazine April 8’s solar eclipse will be an event to remember in parts of Vermont that will be along the path of totality – especially if viewers know what they’re looking for in the sky. Saint Michael’s College Professor and astrophysicist Alain Brizard, Ph.D., will provide that context during a talk on April 3 at 5 p.m. on campus, answering questions including “why is this happening?” and “why are solar eclipses so rare?” His talk will be free and open to the public. Brizard will further explain why the eclipse could be especially spectacular this year as the sun enters a phase of maximum activity. He will talk about what this will look like during the eclipse and what being able to see this activity means for scientists like him.   

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power is alerting customers that forecasters are calling for high winds starting Wednesday in many portions of Vermont, followed by heavy precipitation through Thursday which could fall as potentially damaging heavy wet snow. GMP’s Field Operations team tracks multiple forecasts for days in advance of severe weather and in addition to GMP’s own internal crews, GMP has more than doubled its field force with external crews to respond as needed.

Vermont Business Magazine H.879 would create an Emergency Temporary Shelter Program with the intent that “unsheltered homelessness be eliminated in Vermont and interim shelter opportunities be available to provide a stable pathway to permanent housing for all Vermonters experiencing homelessness." It would also create an Emergency Temporary Shelter Program Advisory Committee made up of individuals with lived experience of homelessness to provide advice and recommendations to the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families regarding the implementation, administration, and operation of the Emergency Temporary Shelter Program. The House passed the measure in a 105-37 vote.

Vermont Business Magazine Today the Vermont Senate passed S.310, a bill to support the State’s resilience and response to natural disasters. S.310 creates the Community Resilience and Disaster Mitigation Fund to assist municipalities with infrastructure projects, creates stronger coordination of first responders, includes public works employees in planning and benefits, requires more comprehensive local & regional emergency planning, updates and clarifies stormwater utility statutes, improves emergency communications translation & interpretation services, supports the state swift water rescue operations, and provides additional support to all communities that were flooded last year.

Vermont Business Magazine A measure that would increase taxes on Vermont’s wealthiest residents gained final approval from the Vermont House today. The bill, H.829, now moves to the Senate. If enacted, the bill would create a new tax bracket, increasing tax rates by 3% on marginal income over $500,000. This tax change would raise over $74 million annually in state revenue and only affect the top 1.1% of Vermont taxpayers. The revenue is intended to fund long-term housing investments. H.829 will now move to the Senate for consideration. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has selected Thomas A. Dee, President and CEO of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) as the 2024 Citizen of the Year. He was selected for the award for his outstanding contributions to southern Vermont, particularly his impactful efforts in health care and community development. The award will be presented at a celebratory event on Thursday, August 1, at the Everett Mansion at Southern Vermont College in Bennington. The award is presented annually by the Vermont Chamber to honor an outstanding Vermonter who has made major contributions to the betterment of Vermont; has been distinguished through outstanding service to their community and region; and typifies the true spirit of service and self-sacrifice in representing the finest ideals of Vermont citizenship. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that COVID-19 cases fell again from 58 to 44, their lowest level since last summer. In addition, hospitalizations remain at a low level, and fatalities have eased back. There were 3 fatalities in this report. The pandemic death total now stands at 1,141 as of March 23, 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 and still only 8 so far reported in March. The VDH reported last week that COVID-19 hospitalizations were at a statewide total of 12, which is among the lowest they've been since last summer. COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH.

Vermont Business Magazine MENTOR Vermont has announced the launch of their “Youth Mentoring Mental Health Support Pilot Program.” Post-COVID, many young Vermonters are struggling with unaddressed mental health needs and mentors are often who youth turn to for guidance. MENTOR Vermont has partnered with Jen Colman, a Burlington-based psychotherapist, to provide professional counseling and coaching to mentors in collaboration with program coordinators to better support the mental health needs of youth in mentoring programs. The Youth Mentoring Mental Health Pilot is made possible with support from the Vermont Community Foundation’s Next Step Grant, the A.D. Henderson Foundation, and the Oakland Foundation.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced $29.25 million in grants to improve municipal combined sewer infrastructure and reduce pollution in Vermont’s streams and lakes. DEC has allocated these funds as grants to 11 Vermont municipalities to prioritize projects that reduce or treat combined sewer overflows (CSOs). The program is funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and was proposed for this use by the Governor and approved by the Legislature. A combined sewer system collects sewage and stormwater runoff in the same pipe for treatment at a wastewater treatment facility. Stormwater runoff is water that is collected from streets or other hard surfaces during rain and snowstorms.