Current News

Vermont Business Magazine In-person workshops build upon collection of virtual digital literacy courses created in collaboration with the Public Library Association. The program will be offered at the Brandon Free Public Library and the Springfield Town Library. As part of AT&T’s support for digital literacy initiatives nationwide, the company is helping Public Library Association (PLA) bring free bilingual, in-person digital literacy workshops to nearly 160 libraries across the country, including in Vermont. These contributions are part of their $2 billion commitment made in 2021 to help bridge the digital divide.

Vermont Business Magazine Putney community members are encouraged to participate in the second phase of the Our Future Putney Community Forums to set actionable priorities together for the future of their town. The meeting will take place on Monday, December 12 from 6:30pm to 9pm at the Putney Central School. This event is the second phase of a three-part Community Visit process that provides an opportunity for members of the Putney community to review potential action items, discuss and advocate for what is most important for their community, and vote on and sign up to begin moving priorities forward.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as avian influenza, in a non-commercial backyard (non-poultry) flock in Lamoille County this week. Samples taken by VAAFM and USDA officials on Monday were tested and confirmed for HPAI by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. The small flock of just over 50 birds suffered high mortality over the weekend of December 3-4, and the owners reached out to VAAFM Monday morning. The remaining flock was quarantined to prevent the spread of disease and was depopulated today by officials from VAAFM and USDA, with the agreement and understanding of the flock’s owners.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) is calling on all Vermonters to check their addresses on the FCC National Broadband Map and file a challenge if the information is incorrect. Correcting addresses that are incorrectly listed as served at speeds of 25/3 Mbps or greater by a wired or licensed wireless provider could mean millions of additional federal dollars to build out 100/100 Mbps fiber broadband across the state. The map shows service at addresses as reported by providers.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for producers to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage (SDMC) for program year 2023 to Jan. 31, 2023. DMC is a voluntary risk management program that offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed price (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer.  

Vermont Business Magazine Common Good Vermont today released the Vermont Edition of The 2022 Report on Nonprofit Wages & Benefits in Northern New England. Every two years, Common Good Vermont partners with the NH Center for Nonprofits and Maine Association of Nonprofits to collect the latest data on wages and benefits from our tri-state area. Each state produces a state-specific report on wages and benefits based on the data collected in this survey. Compensation strategy is integral to sustaining nonprofits’ missions and teams and the report is the only Vermont-specific resource for organizations to turn to for objective salary information, as well as insights into key sector staffing and compensation trends.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline price in Vermont today is $3.67. They have fallen 9 cents per gallon in the last week and 31 cents/g in the last month. They are 28 cents/g higher than a year ago. The lowest price in the state is in Brattleboro ($3.29/g) and the highest is in Island Pond ($4.29/g). The national average is $3.29, which is 6 cents lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine Following the success of the inaugural Wellspring Forum, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce is hosting an ongoing event series to bring together top Vermont businesses and policy leaders for robust economic discussions. Each event takes place at a unique Vermont business and features new speakers. The second event in the series took place at Caledonia Spirits, in Montpelier, and featured the Commissioner of Economic Development, Joan Goldstein, and the Commissioner of Housing and Community Development, Josh Hanford.

Vermont Business Magazine MMGY Global, the world’s leading integrated travel and hospitality marketing firm, announced today that it has acquired Origin, an award-winning, outdoor-focused, digitally driven creative, content and branding agency. The firm, based in Whistler, Canada, will become known as MMGY Origin. It was founded by female trailblazers Danielle Kristmanson and Marie-Josée (MJ) Legault more than 20 years ago. Origin has additional offices in Montreal and Shelburne, Vermont. MMGY Global’s ongoing strategy is to grow its global footprint and ability to service existing and prospective clients worldwide. With the addition of Origin’s Whistler, Montreal and Vermont locations, MMGY Global will now have over 500 employees and operate in 16 markets globally

Vermont Business Magazine Students pursuing a certificate or degree in early childhood education can get paid to increase the number of college courses they take and graduate sooner. A partnership between the Community College of Vermont (CCV) and Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) is leveraging funds secured by Vermont’s federal congressional delegation to pay students while they take college classes. Many students pursuing a career in early childhood education, otherwise known as child care, are taking classes while working a full- or part-time job. The new Early Childhood Education (ECE) Residency Program pays students $3,500 if the student reduces their work time and takes more classes.

Vermont Business Magazine The Congressional Progressive Caucus announced its elected leadership for the 118th Congress today, the sixteenth Congress in the history of the CPC. This elected leadership will oversee the largest Progressive Caucus in history which, with the addition of at least 16 freshman, will grow to include 103 members at the start of the 118th Congress. Representative-Elect Becca Balint, VT-AL, was elected to be Vice Chair for New Members.