Current News

Vermont Business Magazine As experts predict a severe flu season across the country, state health officials are urging Vermonters to take steps now to protect themselves and those at higher risk by getting their flu shot, along with the updated COVID-19 booster. Everyone 6 months and older (with certain exceptions) should get their flu shot, and the COVID-19 and flu vaccines can be given at the same time. Both vaccines are available at walk-in clinics, pharmacies and health care providers. However, flu shots offered at state-run walk-in clinics are for people under age 65. Anyone 65 and older should get the high-dose flu vaccine through their health care provider or local pharmacy.

Vermont Business Magazine MIB Agents, a leading pediatric osteosarcoma nonprofit dedicated to Making It Better for its community of patients, caregivers, doctors, and researchers, is accepting applications for its annual OutSmarting Osteosarcoma research grants. This grant was established in 2017 and is awarded to a project focused on moving research forward for osteosarcoma patients. Osteosarcoma is an aggressive, malignant primary bone cancer affecting between 800-900 people in the US each year and is the most common bone cancer affecting children and young adults. MIB Agents is based in Barnard, Vermont, and operates nationwide. Over the past six years, MIB Agents has awarded a total of $950,000 and supported 11 investigators to fund promising osteosarcoma research. In addition to a $100,000 award, MIB Agents supports early career researchers with a $50,000 Young Investigator Research award.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Governor Phil Scott recently proclaimed November as Adoption Month in Vermont, recognizing the importance of making sure every child has a permanent, safe, and loving family. Adoption Month is a time to: Celebrate and honor all people whose lives are touched by adoption; Focus attention on children and youth still waiting for their forever families. There are currently about 100 waiting children in Vermont. Project Family, a partnership between Lund and the Department for Children and Families (DCF), works to find permanent families for children and youth. But more families are needed, especially for youth over the age of 14. The chances of a child under eight being adopted are almost nine times greater than for one over 14.

Vermont Business Magazine This month, the Gifford Galley welcomes the work of Braintree resident, Lisa Allard. Photography has been a passionate hobby of Allard’s ever since she was a young girl growing up next to her grandparent’s farm in Coos County, NH. Although she has participated in photography workshops, Allard is mostly self-taught and is continually improving her craft while respecting wildlife and nature. The majority of Allard’s wildlife photos are taken from her kayak.

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.