Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Today, State Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale announced her plans to run for re-election to the Vermont State Senate, stepping down from her competitive place in the Congressional race and supporting Becca Balint’s bid for Congress.

Vermont Business Magazine In a groundbreaking moment last week, the Vermont Cannabis Control Board issued the first-ever cannabis operating license, a Tier One cultivator, with its members noting that the pace of licensing will pick up in following weeks. As growers, makers and retailers ready for the adult-use market, Heady Vermont, the state’s largest media and events platform is providing strategic ways for small businesses to connect directly with market-ready consumers and get their brand and business to the forefront of the new industry.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) Thursday reintroduced legislation to close a tax loophole that allows corporations to write off the punishment they receive for egregious wrongdoing as an “ordinary” business expense. Punitive damages are rarely imposed, and only on bad actors whose reckless misconduct resulted in extreme consequences, and usually great harm to peoples’ lives.

Vermont Business Magazine Nearly 50 students from Woodstock Union High School and Twinfield Union School on Wednesday traveled to the non-partisan Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston as part of “Vermont Day,” an educational visit organized by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) for Vermont students to learn first-hand about democracy and the Senate legislative process. Sanders addressed the students Wednesday afternoon during their trip in livestreamed remarks from his Senate office in Washington, DC.

Vermont Business Magazine Vigorously pursuing Vermont Electric Co-op’s core mission of delivering reliable, affordable power – with a sharp eye toward assuring an equitable transition to cleaner energy – was the focus of remarks by VEC’s Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Towne during the organization’s recent Annual Meeting. The meeting, held May 14, was the first in-person VEC Annual Meeting since 2019. It was presided over by VEC Board Chair Rich Goggin of South Hero.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont gasoline prices today were largely unchanged from last week, with the average price being $4.71. This is 58 cents higher than a month ago and $1.79 higher than last year. The highest price was $4.99 per gallon in Burlington and the lowest was $4.29 in West Bridgewater.

Vermont Business Magazine As impacts from the terrible acts committed in New York, California and Texas are being felt throughout the country, the State of Vermont is reminding Vermonters of the mental health resources available to them. With a global COVID-19 pandemic and national and international turmoil, people have been exposed to extended stress, disruption and trauma. When coupled with the terrible acts witnessed over the past month, many Vermonters may be feeling emotions such as anger, sadness, frustration and grief.

by Joan Goldstein, Commissioner, Department of Economic Development A historic level of investment in economic development, workforce, and housing was approved this legislative session to support communities to recover and grow. While these investments are specific to economic, community and workforce development at the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, they are among various other new initiatives that will impact workforce development and support programs, creative economy businesses and unemployment insurance.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported May 21 that COVID-19 cases are down and hospitalizations also have fallen. But the number of patients with COVID who are still in the hospital increased. As of May 24, 2022, 661 people have died from COVID-19. The VDH has not reported any deaths since May 16.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center is committed to providing high quality care, and our number one priority is the safety of our patients, families and staff. This week, hospital leaders are reminding our community that in order to maintain a safe environment, we need everyone who comes through our doors to respect all hospital policies, including those related to COVID-19 and general behavior – and importantly, reminding all patients and visitors to respect our incredibly hardworking staff as they provide life-saving care.

Vermont Business Magazine Construction is underway in Bennington County and before autumn, 12,000 Vermont homes will have access to gig-speed internet from Fidium Fiber, a consumer internet service from Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL). Fidium boasts symmetrical (same upload and download) speeds that are 10 times faster than the national average [1]. This new build is part of Consolidated’s fiber expansion plan to deliver fiber internet services to 200,000 Vermont homes by the end of 2025.

Vermont Business Magazine Hardwick Electric Department and Encore Renewable Energy celebrated a new 1.65 MWac solar array located at a former Hardwick gravel pit with a ribbon-cutting with Representative Chip Troiano, Senator Jane Kitchel, and Chair of the Hardwick Electric Department Board of Commissioners Lynne Gedanken. The solar array is expected to produce enough carbon-free electricity to power approximately 340 homes annually. 100% of the renewable generation will serve homes and businesses that receive electricity from Hardwick Electric Department.