Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) Wednesday celebrated the announcement of $3.7 million in grants from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to seven clean energy projects across Vermont. The investments are funded through USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and will work to reduce energy costs, increase revenue, boost job opportunities in rural communities, and bolster competition for U.S. farmers and agricultural producers. 

Vermont Business Magazine Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc (Nasdaq: PPSI), a leader in the design, manufacture, service and integration of electrical power systems, distributed energy resources, power generation equipment and mobile electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, today announced that it is launching its first zero-emission platforms. Developed in partnership with NOMAD Transportable Power Solutions, Inc, the leading domestic manufacturer of zero-emission, utility-scale mobile energy storage, Pioneer’s Zero Emission e-Boost (“ZEeB”) and EXZELCR platforms set a new bar in meeting the growing demand for low-carbon, mobile, e-Boost solutions with grid-gap solutions.

Vermont Business Magazine US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Vermont and New Hampshire, Sarah Waring, today announced $951,197 in Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs) to help rural small businesses and agricultural producers apply for funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). As directed by the Biden-Harris Administration, REAP, which increases energy efficiency and decreases costs for thousands of rural U.S. businesses each year, received $1.05 billion through the end of fiscal year 2024 under the bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act, and doubled its maximum project funding levels. On Monday, the Agency announced more than $5.1 million in REAP grant funding throughout the Twin States. This includes: Farm Credit East - $200,000; Pecos Wind Energy – Two REAP TAGs, $152,050 each; and Ecology Action - $100,027.

Vermont Business Magazine This winter, the Clean Water Initiative Program (CWIP) at the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is launching the 2024 Clean Water Conversation Series. These monthly webinars are free and open to the public. The series spotlights the collaborative endeavors of the state and its partners aimed at enhancing Vermont’s water quality. “The Clean Water Conversation Series is a great opportunity for the public to learn about the long-term statewide efforts to meet Vermont’s clean water goals,” said DEC Commissioner Jason Batchelder. “This year’s series highlights how our clean water efforts support the state’s flood and climate priorities." DEC will host three talks this winter and announce the rest of the series in the spring.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) on Wednesday spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate about the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the responsibility of the US government to use its leverage to deliver urgently needed aid to Palestinians and demand an end to Israel’s indiscriminate bombing campaign. The speech comes on the heels of Sanders’ first-of-its-kind Senate floor vote on a resolution under Section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act – an overlooked tool of Congressional oversight. Sanders’ resolution would have required a report examining any human rights violations that may have occurred in the course of the military campaign being carried out by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Vermont Business Magazine On January 17, 2024, the Board of Directors of Community National Bank, the wholly owned subsidiary of Community Bancorp, appointed Christopher L. Caldwell, age 58, to the position of President of the Bank, effective immediately. Kathryn M. Austin, who previously held the combined titles of Bank President and Chief Executive Officer, will continue to serve as the Bank’s Chief Executive Officer. No changes were made to the Company’s officers. Caldwell’s appointment follows the Bank’s leadership succession planning process in preparation for the planned retirement of Austin. Austin will retain her positions as Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company until her retirement at year-end 2024.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) today announced the new 3-Acre Permit Obtainment Assistance Program. The program offers $12.4 million in ARPA funds to help property owners comply with a regulation, known as the 3-Acre Permit, that aims to clean up Vermont’s waters by capturing and treating stormwater runoff. The 3-Acre Permit contains requirements to capture and treat polluted stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces like roads, parking lots, and roofs before it reaches rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. There are over 700 sites that need to obtain this permit and implement its requirements to treat runoff, most of which are located in the Lake Champlain and Lake Memphremagog watersheds.

Vermont State Police — Following an investigation that began more than four years ago, Vermont State Police detectives have identified a suspect in a 2019 homicide in Barton. The victim, 37-year-old Richard Poginy of Glover, was found with serious injuries following a low-speed, minor car crash in Barton on Nov. 2, 2019. He died a week later at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Investigators determined that his significant injuries were inconsistent with a vehicle crash. New Hampshire’s chief medical examiner performed an autopsy and ruled the cause of Poginy’s death was “complications of blunt impact head injuries,” and the manner of death was a homicide.

Vermont Business Magazine We are thrilled to announce that former local meteorologist Tom Messner has joined the Lake Monsters organization as a Minority Partner with the official announcement made by Lake Monsters President & CEO Chris English at a press conference on Wednesday, January 24th.  Messner, best known as NBC5’s smiling chief meteorologist for 31 years, is a local legend in Vermont. He’s appeared on the Today Show, MSNBC, the Weather Channel, and Live with Regis and Kelly and was inducted into the Vermont Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2016. 

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark has resolved an investigation into security deposit withholdings at five motels housing Vermonters through the State’s Transitional Housing Program (also referred to as the “motel program”). The settlement provides $300,000 in restitution for qualified former occupants of the program who stayed in motels owned by Anil Sachdev or by companies he controls, along with injunctive relief requiring proper notice in the future should deposit monies be held at some future time, and confirmation of billing and expenses for repairs deducted from deposit monies. The five motels that are subjects of the settlement are all owned by Anil Sachdev or by companies he controls. These include: The Comfort Inn (Rutland), EconoLodge (Montpelier), Hilltop Inn (Berlin), Pine Tree Lodge (Rutland), and Quality Inn (Brattleboro).

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Weinberger announced that beginning as early as February 5, 2024, the transformative Great Streets project is expected to begin construction on Main Street in downtown Burlington. This project will create a more vibrant and welcoming downtown for Burlington’s residents, businesses, and visitors and will strengthen public infrastructure for a more resilient future. Construction will be phased over the next three construction seasons, with initial work on the ravine sewer bypass beginning next month. The concept for Great Streets Main Street is about balancing all uses of the public right of way and will include a wider sidewalk space that can be used by businesses, an 8-foot tree belt, a protected bike lane, parallel parking, flexible space for seating and public art, and better stormwater management with pervious paver belts, rain gardens, and tree wells to infiltrate runoff.  

Vermont Business Magazine Last night, Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) delivered remarks on the Senate Floor emphasizing the importance of passing the bipartisan, bicameral Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Extension Act. The bill would provide $7 billion for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to ensure the program lasts through Calendar Year 2024, which helps connect qualifying households to high-speed internet and is currently utilized by more than 22.5 million American households. Sen. Welch’s remarks come days before an estimated one-in-six U.S. households receive a notice from their internet company that the ACP program is ending.