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Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) released the following comments on President Biden’s announcement Wednesday on student loan debt forgiveness: “I commend the President for proposing a way to help people with student debt. At home in Vermont, UVM for instance has recognized these challenges and refrained from tuition increases for the last four years while our state colleges strive to provide affordable access to higher education for Vermont’s students..." The Department of Education will provide up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients with loans held by the Department of Education, and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) said, "The result of this decision is that millions of Americans will now be in a better position to start families, or buy the homes and cars they have long needed. This is a big deal."

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) today announced that it will award $3,130,800 in grants to municipalities for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvement projects. The combination of construction projects and planning grants will benefit cities and towns statewide by improving connectivity and safety for travelers while also providing tangible economic benefits. As in past years, there is ongoing interest throughout Vermont in making communities and streets more usable for all modes of transportation. In downtowns and village centers especially, municipalities are responding to public interest in better conditions for walking and bicycling.

Vermont Business Magazine The Lake Champlain Chamber and the Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation (GBIC) announced Wednesday that they will host the Fifteenth Annual Taste of Vermont Reception in Washington, DC, with honored guest Senator Patrick Leahy (D Vt.), on Thursday, September 22. The annual event has become well known throughout the Capital Region for its dynamic showcase of Vermont specialty food products. Of the more than 30 participants represented at the reception, 17 of their founders, CEOs, and presidents will attend and will be helping to serve their delicious creations to all attendees. The Taste of Vermont Reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 22, in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. This special event is by invitation only, with an attendee list that will include US Senators, US Representatives, as well as Federal and State officials.

by John McClaughry President Biden has signed into law the Schumer-Manchin “Inflation Reduction” bill. Among its many provisions is the long-sought (by Democrats) authorization for the Federal government to “negotiate prices” of pharmaceutical products purchased through Medicare. The bill requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to “negotiate” prices for 10 of the top-spending drugs in Medicare starting next year and 20 by the end of the decade. If drug makers don’t accept the government’s offered price, they would get slapped with a 95% excise tax on their sales. As Kim Strassel of the Wall Street Journal writes, “That’s not a ‘negotiation’; it’s a gun to the head. The proper term is “price controls.”

Vermont Business Magazine New and returning students began arriving on campus for the Fall 2022 term in early August, and this week will be the peak of the move-in process when first-year undergraduates arrive Wednesday and Thursday. UVM continues to see strong enrollment numbers for undergraduates, graduate students, and medical students. The undergraduate Class of 2026 was selected from more than 30,000 applicants for admission, setting a record and allowing the university to continue its efforts to diversify and raise the academic profile of the student body. Over the past two years, UVM has seen a surge of more than 60 percent in undergraduate applications.

Vermont Business Magazine Kick off your shoes and let the good times roll at Cajun Zydeco Fest 2022 at Kampfires Campground, Inn, & Entertainment, on August 27 from 1:00 – 7:00 pm. MANGO JAM headlines the 5th annual single-day festival, set on the grounds’ natural tree-lined outdoor open-air amphitheater. Burlington-based Mango Jam is a six-piece dance band playing straight-up Zydeco as well as New Orleans inspired funk, Reggae and Ska.

Vermont Business Magazine Vergennes Day kicks off its 40th year on Friday, August 26th and continues Saturday August 27th. The weekend’s activities are hosted by the Addison County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Vergennes and presented by Vermont Gas Systems and sponsored by multiple area businesses. Vergennes Day is a celebration of the city and community to be enjoyed by all ages.

Vermont Business Magazine Today Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos announced that the results and winners of statewide and federal races in the August Primary Election were certified as official at the meeting of the canvassing committee on Monday, August 22. Secretary Condos, along with Chairs or their designees from the three major parties (Democratic, Republican and Progressive) certified vote totals and winners for all federal and statewide offices. The results and canvass report can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Vermont Business Magazine As part of their preparations for their proposed merger, VSECU and NEFCU have completed an evaluation of their individual brand identities. The financial institutions announced today that they will create a new brand identity and name for the merged credit union, pending the merger’s approval by the membership. The new name would take effect after they are operating as one credit union, potentially in late 2023.