Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has officially proclaimed November 13, 2023, to November 17, 2023, National Apprenticeship Week for the State of Vermont. “Vermont is proud to actively support initiatives that widen the opportunities for individuals to embark on rewarding apprenticeship pathways, understanding these programs enrich both individuals and the broader community,” said Scott. This annual event shines a spotlight on the career pathways available through registered apprenticeship programs which are based on an ‘earn while you learn’ training model.  Registered apprentices earn wages while they receive training for their job.

Vermont Business Magazine The Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships announced the launch of its partnership grants today on its website, www.uvm.edu/ruralpartnerships. The new Leahy Institute, funded through a multi-year award from the USDA, uses grant funding to support partnerships between UVM and Vermont organizations doing community and economic development work across the state. Funding is meant to support access to research, student engagement, and other UVM services.

Vermont Business Magazine On this day in 1848, National Life was founded and chartered by the Vermont Legislature in Montpelier, Vermont, as one of the first mutual life insurance companies in the country and the first with a national vision. One of the oldest and largest employers in the state and a national leader in the insurance industry, National Life welcomed Gov. Phil Scott on Thursday, Nov. 9, for a gala event celebrating 175 years of doing good. In attendance were hundreds of employees, agents, retirees and board directors. Distinguished guests included recently retired longtime Board Director David Coates, who was honored with a Resolution celebrating his 30 years of service to the company.

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First, VermontBiz Correspondent Two men are dead following a shooting at a residence on Decatur Street, in Burlington's Old North end -- one of two gunfire incidents reported Sunday night in the city of Burlington. Both men were shot in the head.  Their names were not released pending confirmation of their identities by Burlington Police and  notification of their next of kin. It was unclear if the shooting of the two men on Decatur Street was related to a shooting on Main Street about 75 minutes earlier.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.51 per gallon, down 7.2 cents per gallon from last week's $3.58/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.09/g while the highest was $3.99/g, a difference of 90.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 4.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.33/g today. 

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) is pleased to announce 35 businesses selected for awards through the Existing Dairy Processor Expansion Grant. With total funding of $12,287,001 across eight states, individual awards range from $25,852 to $1 million.  Those selected for awards represent processors of all sizes, from farmstead creameries to multi-state businesses and co-ops. This one-time infusion of funding is a direct result of the Northeast Dairy Taskforce, convened by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, at the request of USDA Secretary Vilsack in response to Horizon/Danone pulling out of the region.

Vermont Business Magazine ReArch Company of South Burlington has announced awardees of their Employee Driven Philanthropy program At ReArch Company this year had the privilege of donating a remarkable total of $32,000 to various local charities and non-profit organizations. The Employee-Driven Philanthropy program was established in to empower our team members to support causes close to their hearts. Since its inception, the program has donated over $123K to support 50+ organizations.

Addison County Economic Development Corporation Vermont businesses, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations seeking cleaner transportation options may now apply for the Electrify Your Fleet incentive program to support the transition to plug-in electric fleet vehicles. Applicants may receive up to $2,500 for each internal combustion engine vehicle replaced or avoided (maximum of 20 incentives allowed per fleet). Awards may be applied toward the purchase or lease of new plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), electric bicycles, electric cargo bicycles, adaptive electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, or electric snowmobiles.

by Emily Bradbury Peggy Allen likes to knit. Amanda Kievet likes to knit. The two met over a skein of yarn Peggy was selling at the Norwich Farmers Market in 2018 and struck up a friendship. Amanda went back to the market to show Peggy the sweater she had made. That led to an invitation to sheep shearing day at Peggy’s Savage Hart Farm, which led to Amanda moving onto the farm for lambing season, which led to a road trip to a fiber mill in New York. It was on that ride that the idea of starting Junction Fiber Mill in White River Junction began to take shape. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Child Care Campaign is heading to Windham County on Tuesday, November 14 to showcase and celebrate the positive change happening on the ground for child care programs and communities, spurred by Act 76 (the 2023 Child Care Bill). Earlier this year, the Vermont Legislature made history by passing the 2023 Child Care Bill which invests an additional $125 million annually into Vermont’s child care system to stabilize the sector and provide access to affordable, quality child care for thousands of Vermont families. Implementation i

Vermont Business Magazine This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will have traffic impacts on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont for the week of November 13, 2023. this is the final Road Construction Report of the season. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Italian Cultural Association (VICA) has announced that its Scholarships and Grants Program, which seeks to promote and preserve Italian heritage and culture in Vermont, began accepting applications starting November 1, 2023. The VICA Scholarships and Grants program provides up to $1,500 in funding to three individuals who are seeking to broaden and then share the results of their project which could include exploring the Italian American experience, the Italian experience, Italian language, arts, music, history, and culture.