Current News

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is inviting Vermont agricultural and forestry businesses to apply for Trade Show Assistance Grants (TSAG). These grants provide businesses with funds to identify, plan, exhibit, and sell their Vermont products at out-of-state trade shows or virtual shows targeting out-of-state buyers. These matching grants can mitigate the financial risks associated with exhibiting at trade shows, which provide excellent opportunities to network with wholesale buyers. Funding may be used to reimburse up to 50% of the following expenses: travel; marketing assets and booth design; registration fees; booth fees; furnishings; utilities; shipping/freight; and other marketing costs (samples, printing, etc.). Applicants may include up to five trade shows in their yearly trade show marketing plan, requesting a total of between $2,000 and $5,000 in eligible reimbursements for shows that take place between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024. Businesses may not apply for funding to support attendance at trade shows they have already attended five or more times.

Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance The holiday season is off to a strong start with events showcasing Vermont’s world - class sports scene and outdoor industry. World Cup skiing was on display at Killington Resort over the Thanksgiving weekend, with a record-breaking 21,000 spectators witnessing the highest level of performance while patronizing businesses in the region. On November 10, the sector demonstrated its depth at VOBA’s Outdoor Economy Sessions where 100 representatives rekindled ties and brainstormed opportunities for business development, workforce, and marketing, as well as how to approach justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and recreation infrastructure.

Vermont Business Magazine Democratic members of the Vermont House of Representatives on Saturday selected their leadership slate for the coming 2023–2024 biennium during a public Democratic Caucus held at the State House in Montpelier. Rep. Jill Krowinski of Burlington was elected by the 104-member caucus to return for her second term as Speaker of the House. Representative Krowinski’s nomination as Speaker must come before the tri-partisan House of Representatives for full confirmation on the first day of the 2023 session, Wednesday, January 4, after she is sworn in for her seventh term.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos has announced the date and towns included in the post-election audit of 2022 Vermont General Election results, which will occur on Tuesday, December 6 at the Pavilion Auditorium in Montpelier, starting at 9am.

Vermont Business Magazine On Tuesday, December 6th from 4 pm – 6 pm Downstreet Housing & Community Development (Downstreet) will host a grand opening celebration of Foundation House, the new Recovery Residence in Barre City. The celebration will begin at the Barre Elks Lodge (10 Jefferson Street in Barre). The project involved the reconfiguration, historic restoration, and weatherization of the three-story building at 31 Keith Avenue, originally constructed in the early 1900s. Recovery Residences provide stable, supportive, sober living environments that promote recovery from SUD and other associated challenges; Foundation House is the only Recovery Residence for women in Central Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) has recognized Democratic Vermont State Representative Tim Briglin from Thetford (Windsor-Orange 2) with their 2022 VBSR Legislator of the Year Award. Rep. Briglin will be honored as Legislator of the Year during the 2022 VBSR Legislative Breakfast on December 9 when VBSR will also announce its 2023 legislative agenda.

Vermont Business Magazine Members of the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) will convene for a public meeting to hear from local organizations, businesses, and members of the public. “The Board is excited to learn from clinicians, community leaders, and patients in Rutland and have a glimpse into how the broader health care community is tirelessly working to keep Vermonters healthy,” said Owen Foster, GMCB Chair.

Vermont Business Magazine Scott Administration officials will be visiting Bennington and Rutland counties on Monday to hear from community leaders about their unique infrastructure needs and to discuss the many funding opportunities available to them via federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Officials will offer guidance on how communities can apply for assistance with tangible economic development, housing, water and sewer, climate change mitigation measures, and broadband projects.

Saint Michael's College The President’s Office invites everyone to join with the campus community for the lighting of the cupola Christmas tree on Wednesday, December 7 at 5 p.m. In collaboration with the Vermont Council on World Affairs, Saint Michael’s is hosting from November 30 through December 10 two dozen high school students from a variety of Latin American and Caribbean countries including Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Venezuela. Hear great Christmas music from orchestra, singers on December 3. Come hear great music and support the musicians of the Saint Michael’s College String Orchestra and Singers on Saturday, December 3 at 2 p.m. in the McCarthy Recital Hall.

Vermont Business Magazine Community Bank branches in Vermont and across the New England Region are helping spread holiday cheer by lending a hand and giving back to their local neighbors and communities. The bank is once again ringing in the holiday season by sponsoring or independently organizing charity drives for local community members, families and businesses. Community Bank branches across the four-state footprint are working to make a difference for local community members and organizations, including branches in the New England Region.

Vermont Business Magazine Business owners have been asking for it and it’s almost here: Fidium@Work fiber internet is coming Vermont. Fidium Fiber is bringing its internet experience to small businesses in Bennington, Dover, Montpelier and all 40-plus Vermont communities where Fidium is available at home.