Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) today intentionally destroyed a heavy-duty truck that was well-used by a Rutland-based field electric maintenance team and replaced it with an all-electric Lion stake body truck. The Destroy-a-Truck event took place at GHR Recycling in Pittsford, where guests got to check out the new all-electric truck. Making the old truck unusable is a requirement of a state of Vermont grant to speed replacement of fossil fuel vehicles with clean electric. Driving with fossil fuels is the largest source of carbon pollution in Vermont, about 40% according to the latest data from the Energy Action Network, so any time drivers switch to clean electric it helps the state reach its climate goals. Vermont provided a grant of about $915,000 in VW settlement funds to help launch GMP’s fleet-wide switch away from fossil fuel, and GMP will gather data for the state on truck performance and charging, as well as emissions reductions.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont fell another 5 cents since last week to $3.84 per gallon. They've fallen 46 cents over the last month but are still 77 cents higher than a year ago. The lowest prices in Vermont as of today are in Brattleboro and West Dummerston ($3.43/g). The highest price is in Orleans ($4.29/g). The national average is $3.67/g, down 5 cents, according to GasBuddy.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, the ACCD, and VEDA today announced the launch of the Short-Term Forgivable Loan Program designed to support Vermont businesses experiencing continued working capital shortfalls as a result of the pandemic. S.11 (Act 183) appropriated $19 million of the ARPA allocation to provide financial assistance to eligible businesses, including sole-proprietors and not-for-profits, that continue to experience economic harm due to the pandemic, up to $350,000 per applicant. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate a reduction in adjusted net operating income of at least 22.5% in 2020 and 2021 as compared to 2019, including any funding from prior programs that were not enough to weather the on-going economic challenges.

Vermont Business Magazine The Board of Directors of Potash Hill, Inc, a subsidiary nonprofit organization of the Marlboro School of Music, has hired Brian Mooney as its Managing Director. In this newly created position, Mooney will oversee the management, marketing, constituent and community relations, scheduling, and program development for activities on the southern Vermont campus from September through May each year. In September 2021, Marlboro Music’s subsidiary, Potash Hill, Inc, purchased the campus that, since 1951, has been home to the Marlboro Music School and Festival. The rural, hilltop campus, formerly owned by Marlboro College, comprises more than 50 buildings on 560 acres.

Vermont Business Magazine Sarah Waring, State Director of US Department of Agriculture – Rural Development in Vermont and New Hampshire (RD), today announced the funding of two more Vermont healthcare institutions—Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and Little Rivers Healthcare—through Emergency Rural Health Care Grants (ERHC) totaling $1,637,600. More than 58,000 people who live and work in rural Vermont will benefit from the funding. These investments are in addition to last month’s $1 million grant awarded to Springfield Hospital, and part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s national focus on supporting rural healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Vermont Business Magazine The colors of Vermont’s fall foliage season are right around the corner, reminding us all of the changing seasons. Cooler temps, sweatshirts, flea markets and the red, yellow and orange leaves of our state’s maple trees are all part of our shared Vermont Fall experience. In celebration of the many year-round benefits of our maple industry, The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and several partners are bringing back the Vermont Maple 100 this Fall to connect those enjoying Vermont’s fall foliage season with Vermont maple related businesses, activities, and food. Beginning today and running until October 15th, this statewide campaign offers visitors and Vermonters alike the chance to discover favorite Vermont maple snacks, treats and local products, as well as discover new ways to enjoy Vermont's sweetest treat.

by Dan Smith, president and CEO, Vermont Community Foundation I am a relentless and dogged optimist. That is likely why I can’t help but respond to my friend Bill Schubart’s recent commentary on “Philanthropy: The Dark Side of Giving...Getting.” (Full Disclosure: Bill is a great friend and mentor.) At a time when clickbait framing tends to the dark and stormy, it is worth keeping the bright side in mind as we weigh Bill’s important message. No doubt, the concerns outlined are real, but when we think locally and stay connected, philanthropy and the act of giving—including the act of giving through charitable vehicles like donor advised funds—bring us more closely together. When those funds are positioned to be relevant to the needs of our neighbors, skepticism about philanthropy at large shouldn’t offer a reason to do less, which is the real risk.

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, Burlington Electric Department will host its first annual Net Zero Energy Festival: A Supercharged Day of Family Fun. For Burlington to meet its Net Zero Energy city goal by 2030, Burlingtonians are working to reduce fossil fuel use and electrify as much as they can – cars, bikes, heating sources, cooking ranges, appliances, mowers, blowers, and more. Members of the Burlington community and beyond can learn how to take steps toward a Net Zero Energy future by visiting with us outdoors at BED's 585 Pine Street offices this Saturday, September 17 from 9am to 1pm.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermonters who want to upgrade their home water heater have a chance to win a brand new, highly-efficient electric heat pump water heater installed at their residence thanks to a contest held by VGS in celebration of its three decades as northwest Vermont’s thermal energy efficiency leader. The giveaway contest began September 6 and will run through November 6, 2022. Three randomly selected winners will be gifted an electric heat pump water heater (HPWH) that VGS will install free-of-charge. The contest is open to all Vermonters who are eligible for VGS’s HPWH program.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont-NEA Board of Directors has announced its general election recommendations, giving the nod to Democrats and Progressives for the major statewide offices. The board is recommending the election of Democrat Brenda Siegel for governor; Progressive/Democrat David Zuckerman for lieutenant governor; Democrat Sarah Copeland-Hanzas for secretary of state; Democrat Mike Pieciak for treasurer; Democrat/Progressive Doug Hoffer for Auditor of Accounts; and Democrat Charity Clark for attorney general. The board earlier announced its recommendations of Rep. Peter Welch for US Senate and State Sen. Becca Balint for US House.