Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos, Vermont Humanities, and the Center for Cartoon Studies have released a new comic book, titled Freedom and Unity, focused on civics education, local democracy and the Vermont election process. The comic, titled Freedom and Unity, A Graphic Guide to Vermont Democracy, is a collaboration between the Secretary of State’s office, Vermont Humanities, and the Center for Cartoon Studies, supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Federation of State Humanities Councils. The General Election is Tuesday November 8.

Vermont Business Magazine The SBA Vermont District Office is accepting nominations for its 2023 small business awards. Previous Vermont winners include Ben and Jerry’s, Mamava and Blake Hill Preserves. The annual awards recognize the achievements of SBA-assisted small businesses and the contributions they have made to their communities and Vermont’s economy. To be nominated and receive one of the following local awards, the small business nominee must fit within the category of the award, demonstrate success in business and complete and submit the required nomination package information.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) announces the launch of the First Generation Homebuyer Program, with a goal of helping more Vermonters afford their first home. This program provides a grant to eligible homebuyers whose parents or legal guardians were likely unable to pass on the generational wealth homeownership can provide. This pilot program is modeled after a federal proposal and provides a $15,000 grant for down payment and closing cost assistance. To be eligible, all borrowers and non-borrowing spouses must be true first-time homebuyers.

Vermont Business Magazine The Community Recovery and Revitalization Program (CRRP) will provide recovery funding for projects that spur economic recovery and revitalization to mitigate the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 in communities across the state. Program guidelines have been posted on the ACCD website and the application will become available in the coming weeks. To best support entities preparing to apply, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) is hosting a series of five informational webinars unique to each eligible project type, beginning November 9.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET) and Hotel Vermont are thrilled to announce the seventh season of its Female Founders Speakers Series. The series kicks off on Wednesday, November 9th featuring three women founders in film and media: Lauren-Glenn Davitian, founder of the Center for Media & Democracy, Orly Yadin, Executive Director of VTIFF, and Monica Donovan co-founder of JAM Creative and CEO of Heady Vermont. The founders will join VCET’s Sam Roach-Gerber in discussing the many facets of starting a company or organization from the ground up. Whether offering heart-warming stories and sage advice, or discussing topics like leadership and scaling, each Female Founders conversation offers attendees an entirely unique experience.

Vermont Business Magazine Burton is excited to announce the Winter 2022/Spring 2023 schedule for the reimagined Mystery Series, an inclusive banked slalom event series that’s open and welcoming to all riders. The return of this highly successful series has been expanded to feature 21 events across the globe, each bringing together the community under a shared love for snowboarding to celebrate progression, connection, and good times for all ages and abilities. The 2022-2023 Burton Mystery Series schedule will kick off in December and wrap up in early May. Engaging and inclusive events will take place globally in Austria, China, Finland, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and the United States. Each event will be centered on the playfulness of a banked slalom format that’s accessible to participants of all skill levels.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Burlington have risen 2.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.95/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 100 stations in Burlington. Prices in Burlington are 16.2 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 50.3 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has risen 3.4 cents in the last week and stands at $5.32 per gallon.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets The Fairs and Field Days Capital Grants and Operational Stipends Program is now taking applications! Vermont Fairs and Field Days draw over 300,000 visitors each year, and many of the fairgrounds are utilized for other events, drawing many more visitors into Vermont communities throughout the year. Fairs and events offer opportunities for the agricultural community to highlight the practices, products, skills, and livelihoods that contribute to maintaining Vermont’s working landscape. $300,000 is available for 20-year capital improvement projects that Fairs across the state can use for lighting, building, electrical, and structural upgrades. $200,000 is available in the form of stipends, which support operating costs.

Vermont Business Magazine Champlain College on Saturday officially inaugurated its 10th President, Alejandro (“Alex”) Hernandez. Centered on a theme of “readiness,” Hernandez outlined plans to “build a better future” for students, the college, and Vermont. “Education creates opportunity, and I’ve dedicated my life to the idea that we can build institutions that get students READY, not by luck or privilege, but by design” said Hernandez, reflecting on feeling unprepared early in his life. Champlain’s education model is intentionally designed to get students “Ready for work. Ready for life. Ready to make a difference,” he explained. The 90-minute ceremony commenced with a vibrant inaugural procession, followed by remarks that honored Champlain’s rich history and trumpeted aspirations for this new chapter.

White River Junction VA Healthcare System will be hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony in honor of all Veterans who have served Friday, November 11^th at 10 am. This annual Veterans Day ceremony will honor all who served our country. Music will be performed by the Lyme Town Band, Memorial Wreath will be placed in front of the Memorial at the White River Junction VA Medical Center and TAPS will be played to honor those no longer with us. The ceremony will be offered both virtually and in-person. All are welcome to attend either in person or online via Facebook Live. The event is on the White River Junction VA Medical Center’s Facebook page. The Public Affairs Office continues to look for available/active Color Guards. If you are part of or know of an available Color Guard willing to volunteer services for this year’s event please contact the WRJ VA.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont PUC grants GlobalFoundries petition to become its own utility; Tax revenues well ahead of targets despite T-Fund results; Vermont’s unemployment rate holds at 2.1% in September; Hydro-Québec to acquire 13 hydropower generating stations in New England; CityPlace Burlington Construction to Begin in Nov; BTV opens $19 million airport Terminal Integration Project features single security checkpoint; State seeks $114 million for middle-mile broadband extension; GF gets $30 million in federal funding to advance next-gen chip making; Math and reading scores of fourth- and eighth graders decline; Bank of Burlington celebrates grand opening; Scott releases nearly $30 million for village water and wastewater infrastructure.