Current News

Vermont Business Magazine During the recent hot weather as temperatures soared into the nineties across many parts of Vermont and New England, Green Mountain Power (GMP) partnered with customers to leverage innovative energy storage initiatives to reduce peak energy costs and carbon emissions, all while keeping customers comfortable during extreme heat. If last week stands as the New England peak, GMP’s pioneering and growing network of home batteries helped reduce about $1.2 million in costs for customers while cutting power demand during the intense heat.

VermontBiz For residents and visitors alike, Vermont is an invigorating, scenic, and inviting destination for outdoor recreation…all year round. Behind the scenes, there is a thriving network of professionals and community organizations nurturing and growing the business side of outdoor recreation, fostering enjoyment and education for outdoor enthusiasts of every age and interest.

The Starting Point had a conversation with VtSBDC business advisor and outdoor recreation specialist Heidi Krantz about the climate of the industry for the summer of ‘22.

The Starting Point: Heidi, what trends are you seeing in outdoor recreation this summer?

Department of Labor, State Workforce Board continue job fairs

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor and the State Workforce Development Board will host Triple Play Job Fest job fair events this week in Montpelier at Montpelier Recreation Field (Wednesday) and in Burlington at Centennial Field (Thursday). Job Fest events will be held in partnership with the Vermont Mountaineers and Vermont Lake Monsters.

Vermont Business Magazine The SHRM Vermont State Council is currently accepting nominations for the annual Human Resources Awards: The Dolly Shaw, Vermont Human Resources Professional of the Year Award and The Vermont Emerging Human Resources Professional of the Year Award. Nominations must be received no later than Friday, August 12. The 2022 award winners will be revealed and celebrated at the 2022 SHRM Vermont State Conference on September 22-23 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in South Burlington.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) will host a celebration on July 29 to mark the start of the expanded Amtrak Ethan Allen Express passenger rail service in Burlington, Ferrisburgh-Vergennes, and Middlebury. The inaugural service will be celebrated with refreshments and live music beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Union Station, followed by a series of remarks by state and federal officials. The event will culminate in a ribbon-cutting event and the boarding of the Ethan Allen Express at 9:50 a.m. The train will depart at 10:10 a.m., marking the beginning of normal service from Burlington to New York City and carrying invited guests and the first ticketed passengers.

Vermont Business Magazine In 2021 the Community Sailing Center launched its newest signature program, the Sailing Diversity Access Initiative, one that has received national attention. This initiative was borne out of the obligation and desire to foster a new generation of sailors to create a community that represents everyone on Lake Champlain, overcoming racial and socioeconomic barriers to the sport. The program offers children who identify as BIPOC between the ages of 11-15 a fully funded summer camp experience of up to 4 weeks, and the ability to return for up to 4 years or until they are of age to become a Junior Instructor!

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) is now accepting grant applications for the FY 2023 Mobility and Transportation Innovation (MTI) Grant Program. The program is designed to support innovative strategies and projects that improve mobility and access to services for transit-dependent Vermonters, reduce the use of single-occupancy vehicles, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Vermont Business Magazine Today Secretary of State Jim Condos reminded Vermonters that the Tuesday, August 9 Statewide Primary Election is only two weeks away and encouraged voters to formulate their voting plan. Those planning to return their ballot by mail are encouraged to get their voted ballot in the mail stream no later than Friday, July 29 to ensure ample time for it to be delivered to the Town Clerk before Election Day. Vermonters can also vote early, or return an early ballot, in person at their Clerk’s office any day before Election Day on August 9, during normal business hours. Secure drop boxes are available in many towns for voters to conveniently return their ballot packages. The Town Clerk must have a voter’s ballot in hand by 7pm on Election Day, August 9, for it to be counted.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Foundation is recognizing a gift to the Heart of Winooski’s “Uplifting the Winooski School District BIPOC Educator Workforce Program” from an anonymous fund. This initiative will enable current Winooski School District (WSD) professionals and members of the Winooski community to translate their certification and/or work experiences from their country of origin to the Vermont Teaching Licensure standards so they’re able to teach in Vermont schools. Approximately 51 percent of Winooski Middle and High School students identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), however, only 6 percent of the district’s teachers identify as BIPOC. There are current staff members and community members from WSD students’ countries of origin and US-born People of Color (BIPOC) who do not hold teaching or administrative positions due to educational and financial barriers to licensure.

​Vermont Business Magazine Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) announces new Heart Healthy Video Series to serve as a resource for community members to improve their health and reduce their risk of heart disease. The Heart Healthy Video Series, which is made possible thanks to the Vermont Department of Health 1815 grant, consists of one introduction video and six educational videos. Topics include minimally processed foods, fats and cholesterols, sodium, added sugars, produce and plants and reading food labels.

Vermont Business Magazine Security staff at Vermont’s correctional facilities will soon see a greater work/life balance and enhanced pay and benefits as the result of an agreement reached last week between the Vermont Department of Corrections and the Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA) Supervisory and Corrections Bargaining teams. The agreement supports the Department’s comprehensive “Stability and Sustainability Plan” by providing targeted enhancements to support staff through the transition. The Stability and Sustainability Plan will stabilize facility staffing levels, reduce the need for field staff to cover overtime shifts, increase bonuses, and improve the quality of life for frontline staff. Security staff at facilities will begin the transition from 8-hour to 12-hour shifts on August 28.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is awarding more than $10 million in Farm to School Grants to 123 projects across the country. Additionally, for the first time, the department is empowering states with $60 million in non-competitive grants to develop stronger and sustainable Farm to School programs over the next four years. Both actions will help more kids nationwide eat healthy, homegrown foods. [Anchor] The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont has been awarded $395,201.