Current News

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.

Vermont Agency of Transportation This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will have traffic impacts on state highways throughout Vermont for the week of November 7, 2022. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.

Vermont Agency of Transportation VTrans will continue bridge deck replacement of Mother’s Bridge over Lake Champlain between North Hero Island and South Alburg. Traffic impacts will be limited to an occasional one-way alternating traffic pattern under flagger control for the remainder of the 2022 construction season. During the 2023 construction season, the traffic pattern across the bridge will consist of full-time alternating one lane traffic regulated by temporary traffic signals. The project is expected to be completed in the winter of 2024.

Vermont Agency of Transportation US Route 2 at the temporary drawbridge is open to two lanes of traffic. The contractor is generally working from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Saturday. The seasonal operating schedule for the drawbridge has ended. Now through November 15, 2022, the temporary drawbridge will be de-constructed. There will be a vertical height restriction during this time. Vessels that can pass under the bridge without an opening may do so if at least four-hour notice is given by calling the bridge tender. Completion of the permanent drawbridge is expected in the spring of 2023.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont’s College of Education and Social Services (CESS) and the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) will honor outstanding educators throughout Vermont and Vermont’s 2023 Teacher of the Year at the 42nd annual Outstanding Educators Day on Wednesday, November 9 at the University of Vermont (UVM). Hosted by CESS and AOE, the event is a culmination of each organization’s longstanding annual ceremonies honoring Vermont educators.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is reporting that several important fall foods for wildlife are less abundant this year, following the bountiful 2021 fall season. Fish and Wildlife biologists survey oak and beech stands around the state each fall season to assess how plentiful these important foods are for wildlife. Last year both acorns and beechnuts were plentiful across much of Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Millennials have quickly become the leading generation of the United States over the past few years. This generation, born from 1981 to 1996, will become leaders in the workplace, and the biggest contributors to the economy. They will also continue to be political leaders and the drivers of social change. As they work towards this, it is important for millennials to live in the best environment. The good news for Vermont is that the state ranks 8th in the nation as the best state for Millennials; the bad news is Vermont has the fewest of them.

Vermont Business Magazine On October 26th, 2022, the Essex-based cannabis company, Magic Mann, received an email from the Cannabis Control Board. The email was a sign that the challenges faced in preparation for the company's future were well worth their efforts. Magic Mann has announced that its recreational dispensary is now licensed and opened to the public on November 2.