Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Generosity Bottle of Pure Vermont Maple Syrup is back! The first run of the Generosity Bottle was in 2021, and Mansfield Maple Products raised over $12,000 for Camp Ta-kum-ta, a summer camp in Vermont that serves children recovering from and fighting cancer. Once again, Mansfield Maple Products is partnering with Jen Ellis of Generosity Brings Joy, this time to raise money for Vermont flood relief. Last month the region was battered by severe storms that dumped up to eight inches of rain resulting in catastrophic flooding across Vermont. Entire towns were underwater, and communities isolated as roads washed out. Homes, businesses, and infrastructure were destroyed. Some people lost everything as the floodwaters poured into their homes. In Hardwick, Vermont a hotel was washed right off its foundation and carried away by the river. 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont today are $3.81 per gallon, down 0.6 cents per gallon from last week's $3.81/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.53/g while the highest was $3.92/g, a difference of 39.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 4.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.78/g today. The national average is up 5.8 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 3.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets This summer's severe weather, with flooding and persistent rain, has created big challenges for many farmers in putting up, and/or sourcing feed for their livestock. Thousands of acres of hay and corn were lost to the July floods - and the near constant rain has impacted feed growth and kept many famers from being able to access their fields as the ground is simply too wet. 

by Joyce Marcel, Vermont Business Magazine The French have a phrase for it: “coup de foudre.” It means a kind of emotional lightning strike that changes your life. For cheese-maker Adeline Druart, it happened twice in 2003. Coming over from her native France for a dairy internship, she fell in love with the man who would later become her husband. And then she fell in love with Vermont. Druart, 43, is the former president of Vermont Creamery; shifting from butter and cheese to beer, she becomes CEO of Lawson’s Finest Liquids this September.

Vermont Business Magazine This Labor Day Weekend, the picturesque town of Bennington, Vermont will not only transform into the aromatic hub known as “Garlic Town, USA”, but also showcase its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness. While celebrating garlic and agriculture, the producers are taking steps to ensure the festival leaves a minimal carbon footprint, highlighting Vermont's dedication to both its community and the environment. 

Vermont Agency of Transportation 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 August 28. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.   

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington residents will soon be able to enjoy a new safe harbor on the Lake Champlain waterfront designed to ensure 100% accessibility for all, including community members with physical disabilities thanks to a recently launched crowdfunding campaign. The campaign is sponsored by the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development’s Better Places program and is led by the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center. If the campaign reaches its $20,000 goal by deadline October 25th, 2023 the “Lake Access For All” campaign will receive a matching grant of $40,000 from DHCD’s Better Places program.

Agency of Commerce and Community Development A new tool to help Vermont farmers who lost feed crops in the July flooding.  The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM), and the Vermont Agency of Digital Services (ADS) have launched the Vermont Online Farm Feed-Finder Marketplace. Sellers across the northeast are encouraged to advertise their feed on the directory so Vermont farmers can easily find it.  There is no fee to use the marketplace.

Vermont Business Magazine United Way of Northwest Vermont was selected by the State of Vermont Department of Health, Division of Substance Use (DSU) as one of four Prevention Lead Organizations across the state. In this role, UWNWVT will lead substance misuse prevention activities and subgrant funds to community prevention partners located in Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, and Washington counties. As a lead prevention entity, UWNWVT will work with community partners to develop a comprehensive, regional approach to prevent the onset of substance misuse, delay initiation of use, promote healthy lifestyles, and optimize wellbeing among individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan.   

by Vermont Auditor Doug Hoffer I suspect I was not alone in being moved when I read about the dedicated state Dam Safety Program employee sleeping at the Waterbury Reservoir dam station to be on hand if flood conditions warranted emergency action. He was joined during the worst of the storm by state and local officials and countless Vermonters in taking steps that helped prevent even worse devastation. They deserve our gratitude. When nine inches of rain falls in a short period of time, bad things are going to happen. It’s not always clear what those bad things will be, but we know some communities will flood, some infrastructure will be damaged, and some lives will be impacted.

Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber has announced the arrival of the eagerly anticipated 2023-2024 Shires of Southwestern Vermont Travel Guide. This comprehensive guide is set to provide travelers with an unparalleled resource to uncover the enchanting beauty and exciting offerings of the 17 towns that compose The Shires of Southwestern Vermont. In a world where digital resources abound, the enduring appeal of a physical travel guide remains significant. According to recent surveys, 73% of travelers still prefer using travel guides during their vacations, valuing the curated insights and tangible experience they provide.

Vermont Business Magazine The 13th annual Zoe's Race will begin at the upper pavilion in Oakledge Park on August 27, 2023 for a 1K fun run, 5K walk/run, and 10K run, designed to raise funds for local individuals and families who need assistance to make their homes more accessible. To date, Zoe’s Race has raised over $270,000 and has completed 34 projects to help local families make their homes accessible. When: Sunday, August 27, 2023; registration opens at 7:30 a.m.