Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Today, VPR (Vermont Public Radio) and Vermont PBS have changed their name and brand to Vermont Public. This reflects the unified mission of the state's public media organization, which officially merged last year. “Our new name pays homage to our past while signaling a new mission for the future,” said President and CEO, Scott Finn. “Across TV, radio, and digital platforms, we will engage a broader and more diverse audience, through stories that bring our community together.”

Vermont Business Magazine One Inc, the leading digital payments network for the insurance industry, announced today that Union Mutual, a Vermont-based personal and commercial insurance company, has selected the One Inc Digital Payments Platform to provide both inbound and outbound digital payments. This is part of an overall effort to streamline and transform the carrier's customer experience. First established in 1874, Union Mutual Companies have been a quality insurance provider for nearly 150 years. From what started as a fire insurance company in Vermont, the carrier has expanded regionally with several personal and commercial product lines available. Union Mutual will continue to focus on maintaining long-term relationships with its policyholders and agents.

Vermont Business Magazine After three months of intense focus, camaraderie and both virtual and in-person learning, The DeltaClimeVT Energy 2022 climate economy business accelerator announces Halitra as the winner. Sixteen entrepreneurs from seven start-ups focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by enabling the acceleration of electrification graduated from the DeltaClimeVT Energy 2022 climate economy business accelerator during an awards ceremony at Burlington Beer Company June 16. At the event, each company presented their final pitch and shared their plans to scale their start-up companies.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says three new hunting or trapping related laws passed by the Vermont Legislature during the 2022 session are going into effect. Under the new laws: hunting coyotes with dogs and training dogs to hunt coyotes will be temporarily banned in Vermont starting July 1; the retrieval and use of game and furbearing animals by hunters and trappers are now required with some exceptions; and the Fish and Wildlife Department is beginning a process with the Fish and Wildlife Board and Legislature to identify and implement new best management practices for trapping in the state.

Vermont Business Magazine Earthkeep Farmcommon is rolling out its first-of-the-season farmer’s market event, “Farm Night at Earthkeep Farmcommon,” on Thursday, June 23, from 4-7 p.m. at 1211 Ethan Allen Highway. Formerly known as Nordic Nite Out, the event features goods produced sustainably on-site by the Earthkeep Farmers’ Collective. Members of the collective and fellow Vermont food vendors will come together to offer diverse, organic and locally made products every Thursday from 4-7 p.m. from June 23-Oct. 13.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is providing new maps on its website of lands it owns along streambanks. Fish and Wildlife staff have developed maps for Streambank Management Areas for over 200 parcels spanning nearly 100 miles of streambanks statewide. These newly created maps depict streambank areas providing public access for perpetuity. A user-friendly overview map has narratives describing the stream sections and their associated fisheries.

Vermont Business Magazine Few birding experiences rival hearing the haunting call of the loon or seeing them glide by in protected coves on a lake. However, for the birds’ protection, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking boaters and anglers to enjoy loons from a safe distance this summer. Morin also reminds people to avoid lead fishing tackle. Every year Vermont loons die from lead poisoning after swallowing fishing tackle.

Vermont Business Magazine With spring and summer cleaning underway, the Department of Environmental Conservation wants to remind and encourage Vermonters to follow a few guidelines for on-premise or backyard open burning. Burning materials from spring cleanup can release harmful pollution that can impact neighboring properties. By following these guidelines, Vermonters can help reduce air pollution, avoid nuisance impacts, and protect human and environmental health.

​Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is asking the public for feedback on the proposed creation of a rule to regulate how wake boats are operated in public lakes and ponds in Vermont. A wake boat is a motorboat, powerboat, or speedboat that is used to create a wake for activities like wake surfing or wakeboarding.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont 211, a confidential 24/7 helpline that connects Vermonters with community, health, and human services, has launched a new website at https://vermont211.org/. “Vermont 211 is pleased to take our 17-year-old service into the 21st Century with new ease of access and tools to find resources and to look up data and other information,” said Elizabeth Gilman, Interim Executive Director.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has appointed Susanne Young, a former deputy attorney general and secretary of administration, to be Vermont’s attorney general. Young will fill a vacancy created when TJ Donovan stepped down on June 20 to pursue other opportunities. She will serve out the six months remaining in the term. Governor Scott said Young is uniquely qualified to serve in the post, having recently retired after 40 years of extensive and dedicated service to the State of Vermont. Most recently, she served as secretary of the Agency of Administration. Prior to that, she was deputy attorney general under Democratic Attorney General Bill Sorrell. In her decades of public service, she also served as deputy state treasurer and governor’s legal counsel.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont FEED will expand its Northeast Farm to School Institute nationwide for the first time this year, supporting teams from Arkansas, Nebraska, Connecticut, Oregon, and Washington as they adopt a Vermont-born model to strengthen school communities in their states. Vermont FEED is a partnership project of The Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools and NOFA-VT. This first-ever Institute Adaption Program is a partnership of Vermont FEED with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Service through a Cooperative Agreement.