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by Liz Gamache One the many things I love about living in Vermont is how we take care of each other and value strong communities. As the days get shorter and darker, we are also entering a season of gratitude – a time when many of us reflect on our blessings and ways we can give back. Giving Tuesday, November 29, is an international day of giving – a global movement intended to “unleash the power of radical generosity around the world.” For me, this day is an opportunity to reflect on ways to give back locally; to look at what the needs are in my community and consider what I can do to make a difference in my own backyard. Every person in Vermont benefits, either directly or indirectly, from the mission-driven work of local nonprofits.

Lake Champlain Basin Program As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I’m reflecting on a few of the things for which the LCBP is grateful.

For one, our supportive congressional delegation. An early October event that aligned with our Québec friends’ Thanksgiving provided an opportunity for partners from across the entire watershed to thank Senator Patrick Leahy for his long-standing support of work to protect and restore Lake Champlain. The ongoing commitment from the New York and Vermont delegations representing the Lake Champlain Basin has ensured that our budget has been not only stable but has grown.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement: “It is with much sadness that I send my condolences to the family and friends of former Representative Richard ‘Dick’ Lawrence, who has passed away. Dick was a champion for the Northeast Kingdom and served his communities well with support for a strong agricultural economy. Outside of the State House, his advocacy for fairs and field days, which benefited rural communities across Vermont, as well as serving as president of the Caledonia County Fair over many years, did even more for the region and state. I appreciate his service and the legacy he leaves behind.”

Vermont Business Magazine The 802Spirits Rare Spirits Raffle kicks off on Friday, November 25 with 1,000 bottles of highly allocated and hard-to-find spirits available for purchase at retail price. The Rare Spirits Raffle and Sweepstakes provide equitable opportunities for consumers and on-premise licensees, such as bars and restaurants, to purchase rare spirit brands that are not available in 802Spirits stores due to low allocation to Vermont from the suppliers. There is a $5 entry fee for each raffle and people can enter as many times as they wish. The proceeds from the raffle are deposited to the General Fund, which benefits Vermont communities.

Vermont Business Magazine This week, City Market will host their 25th Annual COTS Tree Sale to benefit Vermont’s Committee on Temporary Shelter. City Market will sell fresh balsams from Moffatt’s Tree Farm in Craftsbury, Vermont for $50 each with all proceeds benefiting COTS and their mission to end homelessness in Vermont. Additionally, for each tree purchased, City Market will donate funding for the Intervale Center to plant a tree in Vermont; continuing our “Buy a Tree, Plant a Tree” partnership.

Vermont Business Magazine A favorable stretch of wintry weather has allowed Jay Peak Resort’s snowmaking team to pump out a hearty base across Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert terrain. The Resort welcomes its Stakeholders on Friday, November 25th for A Day for the Devoted. More than 750 free Lift Tickets were claimed for opening day as part of Day for the Devoted, a new tradition that invites Jay Peak devotees to celebrate the beginning of its 22+23 winter season.

State Joins Coast-to-Coast Movement to Adopt Zero-Emission Vehicle Regulations

VermontBiz Vermont moved forward with two key regulations to address pollution from transportation in the state: the Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) II program and the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation. The Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules held a hearing on Thursday for the final review of the rules and officially approved both. The Rules will not go into effect until after California officially files the ACT rule on Nov 30, 2022.

Beginning in 2025, the ACT rule will require manufacturers to produce and sell an increasing percentage of zero-emission trucks and buses annually through 2035, which will have far-reaching public health, environment, and economic benefits for Vermonters. Several states, including California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and Vermont, have adopted the ACT rule.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont fell a surprising 8 cents in the last week to $3.88 per gallon. Prices are down 12 cents lower than last month, but are 45 cents higher than a year ago. The Vermont price is 30 cents higher than the national average.

Vermont Business Magazine Hunger Mountain Co-op has awarded a record-setting $15,200 to 15 local grant recipients working on important and innovative projects addressing food access and local food systems. Hunger Mountain Co-op’s purpose is deeply rooted in the belief that access to good food helps to create vibrant, healthy communities and sustainable local food systems. Each year, the Co-op encourages central Vermont businesses, organizations, and initiatives aligned with its mission to apply for grants from the Hunger Mountain Cooperative Community Fund. The focus of funding is on smaller proposals for one-time expenditures, capital infrastructure needs, food access projects, and proposals from historically and currently marginalized groups.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small has announced that USDA is accepting applications to support economic development and create jobs for people in rural America. USDA is making this funding available under the Rural Business Development Grant program to support business opportunities or business enterprise projects in rural communities. Eligible entities are rural towns, communities, state agencies, authorities, nonprofits, federally recognized Tribes, public institutions of higher education and non- profit cooperatives.

Vermont Business Magazine A group of conservation advocates came together on Saturday, November 19 to celebrate the creation of a new fund to conserve lands important to Vermont communities. The fund was established by Hinesburg residents in honor of conservationist Andrea Morgante who is a founding member of the Hinesburg Land Trust. For close to 40 years, Morgante has championed the conservation of roughly 3,000 acres in the town, including the recent expansion and conservation of the 1,125-acre Hinesburg Town Forest.