Current News

Vermont Business Magazine On Tuesday, January 23, GlobalFoundries (GF) joined Essex High School (EHS) for the ribbon-cutting of a new biology and chemistry lab at the school. GF’s donation of $10,000 to the Essex High STEM Academy was used to purchase equipment that will be used by EHS students for biochemistry and genetics studies. The lab will provide students at EHS with opportunities during their high school years to gain hands-on experience with laboratory procedures and to investigate questions that are personally meaningful to them and the community.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce’s annual Vermont Economic Conference convened more than 200 business and policy leaders for a day of insightful presentations, engaging discussions, and valuable networking opportunities. The agenda provided attendees with an in-depth look at national and state perspectives on the economy as well as the latest economic indicators shaping Vermont’s business landscape. A panel discussion entitled “Leveraging Vermont's Immigration Experience to Solve Workforce Needs,” included Leslie Holman of Holman Immigration Law, Tracy Dolan of the State of Vermont Refugee Office, Julia Birnn Fields of Birnn Chocolates of Vermont, and was moderated by Adam Grinold of the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation. The event also featured Alec Newcomb, the Founder of ScaledOn, who delved into the theory of artificial intelligence and shared practical applications for businesses looking to harness its potential. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) today released a statement about the decision by the United States and other nations to freeze funding for the United Nations’ agency, UNRWA, that provides food, water, and essential services for Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip – 1.1 million of whom are already at risk of starvation: “More than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed in this war, seventy percent of whom are women and children. Today, hundreds of thousands of children face starvation and disease. Obviously, it’s not acceptable for any of the 13,000 UNRWA employees in Gaza to be involved with Hamas, and allegations against the 12 people charged must be investigated. However, we cannot allow millions to suffer because of the actions of 12 people."

Vermont Business Magazine Anti-hunger advocates from Hunger Free Vermont, Vermont Foodbank and their partners joined legislators at the Vermont State House today to urge state leaders to make policy choices that ensure food security for everyone who lives in Vermont. The second annual SNAP Awareness Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – called 3SquaresVT locally. More than 68,000 people in Vermont rely on 3SquaresVT to purchase the food they need for their families. When emergency allotments implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic ended (temporary increases to monthly benefits for people enrolled in SNAP), the majority of 3SquaresVT participating households in Vermont lost between $100-$500 in monthly benefits. 

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is alerting customers about a new wave of scam calls targeting small businesses in Vermont. A caller, claiming to be GMP, tells the business it has to pay up in order to maintain power service because their meter needs to be replaced. In some cases, the scammer makes multiple calls to the business, working to build trust, before urging the customer to purchase and send a gift card. GMP urges customers to hang up on these scammers.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senators Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) today introduced the Preventing the Algorithmic Facilitation of Rental Housing Cartels Act, legislation to crack down on companies that help landlords increase rents in already high-priced markets. These services allow landlords to collude to set prices via software and price-setting algorithms. Reporting by ProPublica and other news outlets demonstrated how companies like RealPage and Yardi advertise their products as “property management software,” but in fact help landlords coordinate prices to increase rental rates in the same market. The companies collect real-time price and lease information and in return suggest rent increases. The result is less competition and higher rent prices for consumers, with reports that the practice increases rents for client landlords between 5% and 12%. 

Vermont Business Magazine At its January meeting, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board approved funding support for a diverse mix of projects that address a variety of high-priority housing needs throughout the state. The funding awarded will enable new opportunities for single-family homeownership, an increase in the state’s permanently affordable apartment stock and energy efficient mobile home rentals, access to shelter, housing and services for people experiencing homelessness, and the expansion of supportive housing for individuals facing mental health challenges.

Vermont Business Magazine Before the Legislature bans bundled Vermont Strong plates and socks, Governor Phil Scott is urging Vermonters to support victims of last summer’s flooding by purchasing commemorative Vermont Strong license plates bundled with Vermont Strong socks from Darn Tough. Recently, the Vermont House of Representatives passed legislation to ban fundraising for flood victims with bundled sales, which would prohibit the state from selling the remaining plate-sock bundles. The measure now moves to the State Senate. Vermonters can still get Vermont Strong plates and socks while the remaining limited inventory lasts!

Vermont Business Magazine The national Citizens Business Conditions Index (CBCI) rose to 51.8 in the fourth quarter, supported by continued resilience in the labor market and consumer trends. The second consecutive quarterly reading above 50 indicates that the economy exited 2023 with momentum as signs of moderating inflation support optimism for a soft landing. Local confidence increased 3.5% from this point in Vermont last year and over 6% from last quarter. 

Vermont Business Magazine Breeze Airways, the U.S.’ only NLCC, or ‘Nice Low Cost Carrier,’ today announced that it would be adding a new seasonal route to Raleigh-Durham, NC, from Burlington. The new route will have twice-weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays, starting May 23, with fares from $79,* if booked by February 5 for travel by September 3, 2024. From Burlington, VT to: Raleigh-Durham, NC (Seasonal, Thursdays and Sundays, starting May 23, from  $79* one way); and Jacksonville, FL (One stop/no change of plane service, Thursdays and Sundays, starting May 23).

Vermont Business Magazine For two years, over 600 Vermonters contributed their personal expertise on food security to develop a Food Security in Vermont: Roadmap to 2035. The Farm to Plate Network’s Food Security Priority Strategy Team led the Roadmap development presented the completed Roadmap on January 24, 2024 to the Vermont Senate Committee on Agriculture and the Vermont House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry. Now it is time to begin implementation. This Roadmap shows us how to ensure everyone in Vermont has the food they need and to create resilient, climate-ready communities across the state. Our Shared Goal: In 2035, all Vermonters will be food secure.

The Vermont State Police has arrested two suspects on charges related to the homicide of 17-year-old Isiah Rodriguez in Danby nearly two years ago. Additional arrests are expected as this investigation continues. On Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, members of the state police arrested 32-year-old Ashley Wicks and 28-year-old Shawn Bulson, both of Bennington, on charges of being accessories after the fact to the fatal shooting. Wicks also was charged with conspiracy to commit murder.