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Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies In this episode, we sit down with Lindsay DesLauriers, president of Bolton Valley, a multigenerational ski community in Richmond, Vermont. Lindsay shares her personal connection to the resort and her father's original vision of crafting a working-class ski area. She also discusses her own mission of revitalization since taking over in 2018. Join us as we get a behind-the-scenes look at the year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts and event-goers alike.

by Jesse Bridges, CEO of United Way of Northwest Vermont The Winter Solstice, December 21, marks the shortest and darkest day of the year. At this time of year, I find myself especially attuned to the light and the hope that abounds in our community every day, no matter the season. It is all too easy to be discouraged and overwhelmed by the interconnected challenges our community is facing – from the housing crisis to escalating mental health and substance misuse challenges to public safety concerns. These challenges are real and daunting, but I promise you they are not hopeless. I know this because in my role at United Way I get to see people coming together every day to make things better for themselves, their colleagues, and their families, friends, and neighbors. 

by Joan Goldstein Greetings and Happy Holidays from all of us at the Department of Economic Development. We watched with bated breath as the rain came down on Monday and the rivers rose.  We’ve spoken with many of you throughout the state. While some experienced significant damage, we can report the extent of the damage to our business community is nothing like what we experienced in July. For that, we are truly grateful. Many Vermont businesses received an award from our Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) after this summer’s flood, but they could still use your support.  If you are looking to pick up some last-minute gifts, please consider shopping in your local downtown. We have distributed $20,000,000 in BEGAP funds to help businesses, landlords, and nonprofits that suffered physical damage from July’s flood.  We are continuing to raise money for BEGAP through ‘Vermont Strong’ license plate sales.

Vermont Business Magazine Roundup of news from November 2023: Burlington police arrest suspect in shooting of Palestinian students; Vermont’s unemployment rate edges up another tenth to 2.0% in October; BETA Technologies gets $169M export promotion loan from US Export–Import Bank; $7.5 Million Available Through the Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program; Pieciak announces $15M program to help flood impacted municipalities; Burlington Council supports District Energy Plan; $12 million released for LIHEAP home heating assistance for the 2023-2024 season; Breeze Airways brings nonstop service from BTV to Tampa and Orlando; and more.

Vermont Business Magazine Across New England, families and people can take advantage of low-cost internet services and affordable broadband options to stay connected with loved ones near and far this holiday season. “What makes the holidays special is connecting with the people you care about – and NECTA members are committed to making sure New Englanders can create lasting memories with their loved ones through world-class broadband networks,” said Tim Wilkerson, President of NECTA. “With modern technology, people are now able to call, video chat, text, send photos and more with friends and family no matter the distance – and at affordable prices. That is what it means, as our motto says, to connect New England.”

Vermont Business Magazine Agency of Human Services Secretary Jenney Samuelson today announced that Monica White, Commissioner of the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL), has decided to step down from her role at DAIL. Her last day will be Friday, January 12, 2024. White has served as Commissioner since March of 2021.  DAIL Deputy Commissioner Megan Tierney-Ward will serve as Acting Commissioner until a new Commissioner is appointed. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that the November 2023 seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose one-tenth to 2.1 percent. This is largely due to a significant increase in the Labor Market, which is the denominator in the calculation. The number of employed and unemployed also increased. Still, a vast number of jobs are going vacant, as employers seek out workers. The jobless rate also rose by a tenth in October. Vermont still has the fourth lowest jobless rate in the nation. Maryland is one with a 1.8 percent rate and Nevada is last at 5.4 percent. The United States unemployment rate in November was 3.7 percent, a decrease of two-tenths of one percentage point from the revised October estimate. 

Vermont State Police The investigation into this week’s non-fatal shooting in Tunbridge remains active and ongoing. The Vermont State Police is identifying the man who was shot as Hugh Shackleton, 33, of Woodstock, Vermont. He suffered multiple injuries to his lower extremities and remains hospitalized at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He is expected to survive. The man who fired a rifle during this encounter is identified as Justin Duddie, 21, of Tunbridge. State police detectives continue to investigate all facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. No one is currently in custody.

Public Assets Institute Vermonters continued to find work in recent months, and at the start of the year employers filled jobs at a record pace. But Vermont still has more jobs than people to fill them. According to the most recent reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Vermont workplaces had 2.7 jobs openings in October 2023 for every unemployed person—that is, someone without work who is actively seeking it. That ratio was down slightly from the summer months, but an increase over October 2022. Vermont’s ratio of job openings to job-seekers was nearly double the U.S. ratio in October.

Vermont Auditor of Accounts Doug Hoffer Ensuring Vermont has a sufficient number of nurses in our workforce is critical to meeting Vermonters’ health care needs, so I asked my staff to research the State’s nursing recruitment and retention incentive programs. The State has created numerous incentive programs in recent years, and while it can be tempting to conclude that any positive benefits justify the programs’ continuance, it is vital that precious funds be spent in ways that most effectively recruit and retain nurses and that maximize those nurses’ contributions to our health care workforce. Our research found: The absence of performance measures and gaps in data collection make it challenging to determine if the incentive programs are working; A lack of internal controls between the Agency for Human Services and the Vermont Department of Health could result in recipients receiving two awards for the same year of required nursing work in Vermont; State-funded incentive programs do not appear to be coordinated with hospitals’ own recruitment and retention strategies, risking inequitable award amounts and inequitable geographic distribution of program benefits.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office today announced the conclusion of their independent review of the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred on June 19, 2023, in Fair Haven, Vermont. Attorney General Charity Clark has declined to prosecute Fair Haven Police Detective Shaun Hewitt for charges related to the use of deadly force in a shooting incident involving Kenneth Barber, Jr. The Rutland County State’s Attorney’s Office also declined to prosecute the case after completing its own independent review. Based on the facts and circumstances and consistent with Vermont law, Attorney General Clark concluded that the use of force by Detective Hewitt was objectively reasonable and justified. 

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center sends good wishes to all for the seasonal celebrations and offers resources to help you and your friends and loved ones celebrate sober this year. Tips for Celebrating Sober: Plan Ahead: Identify potentially stressful situations ahead of time. Recognize that even some happy situations may cause someone to overindulge. Plan activities that don't involve alcohol or drugs: Choose to spend time with family and friends who want to celebrate substance-free. Take care of yourself: Be sure to get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise. Plan an exit strategy: Understand your transportation options if you are away from your home and know where you're staying so you can exit gracefully. Find a supportive crew: It's important to have people who know your story, and to know that you can talk to them if things get tough.