Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is seeking feedback to further understand Accessory On-Farm Businesses (AOFBs) and Act 143. This model expands opportunities for farmers to diversify operations through an AOFB, such as on-farm sales of agricultural products as well as educational, recreational, or social events. While this business model is vital to support long-term viability of Vermont farmers, the current legislation can be difficult to understand and varies across the state. Therefore, the Legislature has tasked the Natural Resources Board (NRB), with support from the Agency of Agriculture, in preparing a report to analyze current conditions, understand challenges, and offer specific suggestions to help strengthen AOFBs in Vermont.

by Joyce Marcel, Vermont Business Magazine If Vermont has a problem, Ellen Kahler probably has an action plan. While everyone seems to know what's wrong with the Vermont economy — jobs going begging, an aging population, the high cost of housing if you can still find housing, homelessness for those who can't, low wages, limited childcare, an opioid problem — not many have spent their careers finding long-range solutions. Kahler, the executive director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF), has.

Vermont Business Magazine On August 9, 2022, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) would award a $1.2 million grant to Vermont Technical College to expand the college’s agricultural workforce development and entrepreneurship training programs. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan and will support the establishment of agricultural and food entrepreneurship coursework designed to spur innovation and train the next generation of farmers, food workers, and food entrepreneurs. The EDA grant will be matched with $314,775 in local funds and is expected to create 690 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos announced that the Statewide Canvass of Vermont 2022 Primary Election results will be held on Monday, August 22 at the Secretary of State’s office, located in Montpelier at 128 State Street. The canvass will begin at 2pm. Secretary Condos, along with Chairs or their designees from the three major parties (Democratic, Republican and Progressive) will be certifying vote totals and winners for federal and statewide offices. The Statewide Canvass is open to members of the public and the press. The Canvass had been initially postponed on Tuesday, August 16 due to a technology issue specific to the ability to generate reports based on the official return of votes submitted by the Town Clerks for the Canvassing Committee to certify.

Vermont Business Magazine The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $2 million to the State of Vermont to reimburse the costs of stabilizing the Waterbury State Office Complex after Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The $2,052,222 Public Assistance grant will go to the Department of Buildings and General Services for work done to stabilize buildings in the complex in an effort to prevent further damage after the August 2011 storm flooded many of them. The state received $53 million in FEMA funding to repair or replace buildings, and spent nearly $13 million drying, cleaning and disinfecting buildings; removing debris; and other measures to preserve the structures.

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday the Vermont AFL-CIO held its Convention at the Old Socialist Party Labor Hall in Barre. There, the State Labor Council voted to prioritize passage of the Reproductive Liberty Amendment, endorsed the entire Progressive Party slate of candidates running for Statehouse, and appointed Katie Harris to fill the vacant position of Executive Vice President.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) is seeking public comment on a draft management plan for the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT). The draft plan can be viewed at vtrans.vermont.gov/lvrt and comments can be submitted via email until 4:00 p.m. on August 31, 2022. The LVRT management plan seeks to develop a cohesive vision for the trail; identifies long-range strategies for management, maintenance, and operations of the trail; and supports opportunities for community and economic development efforts along the LVRT.

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 August 22. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.