Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Leadership from Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG), Seventh Generation, SunCommon, and more called for bold climate action this legislative session at the State House in Montpelier. On February 1, as part of a Businesses for Climate Action Lobby Day, over 60 of Vermont’s business leaders from a broad array of industries spent the day urging legislators, other businesses, and the people of Vermont to champion legislation that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and strengthens the state’s resiliency to a changing climate.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Fish and Wildlife has announced that a Longnose Gar taken by a bowfishing angler in 2023 has been certified as a new state record. In May of 2023, Pennsylvania angler Jeremy Bicking was out bowfishing in the evening on Lake Champlain and took a gar that weighed 18.6 pounds.  This big fish measured 54 ¾ inches in length, a ¼ inch longer but 3 ounces lighter than the current record Longnose Gar taken by rod and reel in 2007.  State records are kept separately for four species of fish that can be taken both by hook-and-line and bowfishing.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) Board of Trustees named Alden Smith the next Executive Director of the Quechee-based environmental education nonprofit. Smith will serve as chief strategist, fundraiser, educational leader, and operational manager of the organization. Smith will report to the Board of Trustees and will lead a staff that includes 24 full-time and 8 part-time, seasonal employees and volunteers. From 2002 to 2022, Smith served as the Director of the Mountain School of Milton Academy, a semester school for high school juniors located on a farm in Vershire, Vermont. 

by Bill Schubart In 2016, for only the second time in my life, I bought a new car, an emission-free Nissan Leaf. I named it “Greta.” I recently ran into a friend who has a Tesla all-electric vehicle (EV) also named “Greta.” I’m now wondering how many EVs there are in the world bearing the Swedish teenager’s name. I’m comfortable saying it was the extraordinary courage of this young woman who could be my granddaughter that drove my decision to go all-electric. “Okay, boomer,” I said to myself, “It’s your turn to help leave a habitable world for the next generation." Almost eight years later, I’m now on my fourth Nissan Leaf.

Vermont Business Magazine Individuals have the opportunity to join the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) and the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) in shaping the future of outdoor recreation in Vermont through the Move Forward Together Vermont Public Survey. The survey seeks public input about recreation needs and priorities and will be open until March 31, 2024. The mobile-friendly online survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is recognizing World Wetlands Day and invites Vermonters to celebrate the value of wetlands. From fens and bogs to marshes and swamps, Vermont’s diverse wetlands mark where land and water meet. Spanning over 300,000 acres statewide, wetlands may be saturated or flooded with water either year-round or for only a few weeks of the year. First celebrated in 1997, World Wetlands Day raises awareness about wetlands and the functions and values they provide for people and for the health of the land. This year’s theme centers on the ties between wetlands and human wellbeing.

Vermont Business Magazine Farmers who are actively working on or managing a commercial farm operation in the state, are residents of Vermont, and have not received this award in the past may qualify for a $5,000 award for land stewardship, innovation, and service to community. Applications accepted until February 29, 2024. This is a change from past years when applications closed end of June. A selection committee consisting of leaders in the Vermont agricultural community will review and score the applications and select a winner. The award will be announced at the Vermont Land Trust’s annual meeting in the fall.

VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the top 65 Best Places to Work in Vermont 2024. The awards program was created in 2006 and is presented in partnership with the Society for Human Resource Management, Vermont State Council, (VTSHRM), the Vermont Department of Commerce and Community Development and Workforce Research Group. The final rankings for each category will be announced at a special awards presentation on March 26th and each business ranking will be highlighted in the April issue of VermontBiz.

Vermont Business Magazine “Housing is a major wealth-building asset,” says Matthew Cropp, board treasurer of the Vermont Real Estate Cooperative (VREC). It’s an asset, he’s quick to note, that’s unattainable for far too many Vermonters. VREC is working to change that. A member-owned and -controlled real estate cooperative, VREC was established in 2019 as an alternative mode of homeownership. Any Vermont resident can become a member by purchasing VREC shares, priced at $1,000 each. There is a limit as to how many shares a single shareholder can buy, and each shareholder gets only one vote in purchasing, selling and other decisions regardless of how many shares they own. In years where there is a surplus, shareholders may receive a dividend. 

Vermont Business Magazine At his weekly press conference today, Governor Phil Scott reiterated his call for the legislature to prioritize regulatory reform to make it easier, less expensive, and faster to build the housing "we desperately need." However, Scott said he is losing optimism that this will happen and instead, “It appears, in some committees, they’re moving in the opposite direction. Instead of prioritizing how to produce more homes, which would address all kinds of issues like workforce, healthcare, property taxes, education and more, some are looking to add to the regulatory burden and put us further behind.”

Vermont Business Magazine Hannaford Supermarkets recently donated $90,000 to the City of Burlington, Vermont, which will use the funding for a winter warming shelter. The shelter, which opened in December, houses more than 20 permanent program beds, all of which are occupied, in addition to more than 10 walk-in beds every night. Since its opening in December 2023, the Burlington shelter has served more than 100 unique individuals. The city of Burlington is using the funding from Hannaford to hire an assistant manager for the shelter and to purchase food and supplies for community outreach, as well as medical supplies for substance use-related injuries.

Vermont Business Magazine Last year brought months of challenging weather to Vermont.  Persistent rainstorms set records that caused catastrophic flooding throughout the state and the Northeast. The flooding prompted emergency evacuations, closed access to multiple towns, and damaged homes and communities. The agriculture sector was also hit incredibly hard. After a late freeze in May that destroyed fruit and berry crops, the flooding and heavy rain in July decimated crops and infrastructure. Many crops were destroyed prior to harvest, and the timing of the event and continuing wet weather last summer left farmers without an opportunity to replace them during the growing season. Lost crops and revenue put Vermont’s food system under duress. The report noted that 70% of farmers had no crop or livestock insurance. Those who did have crop insurance did not receive sufficient premium payouts to cover losses. There were $44.7 million in combined damages and $69.6 million when food services, food and agriculture related retail, and manufacturing and processing from the BEGAP is included.