Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan today announced a settlement with Florida-based Centurion Filing Services, LLC (Centurion), for sending misleading mailings to Vermont businesses. Attorney General Donovan and Secretary of State Jim Condos previously issued a warning to Vermont businesses that Centurion, calling itself VT Certificate Service, was sending requests for payment for a “Certificate of Good Standing” to businesses, disguised to look like an official invoice from the State. The settlement bans Centurion from doing business in Vermont. It also requires Centurion to pay a $20,000 penalty to the State and refund the Vermont businesses it misled.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s muzzleloader season antlerless deer permit applications are now available online at Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website and from license agents. A link to the information and online applications is on the home page. The Fish and Wildlife Board met on May 18 and set antlerless deer permit numbers for the fall deer hunting seasons.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) announced it is now accepting applications for the 2022 Vermont Internship Program. Funded by VDOL, the program will award $400,000 to eligible organizations. VDOL’s Vermont Internship Program promotes internships by providing grants to organizations that support or connect Vermont employers with student-interns from regional career technical education centers or postsecondary educational institutions. Organizations may receive up to $50,000 in grant funds to build or administer a new or existing internship program or to provide interns with need-based stipends during the internship.

Vermont Business Magazine SunCommon, an iSun company, announces that the Winooski Schools have completed the maximum net-metering solar system allowable in Vermont by installing a mega system on its roof, making it the largest in the state. The new array will cover roughly $115,000 of the school’s energy costs annually. SunCommon engaged in the installation of the solar photovoltaic (PV) array in partnership with architecture firm TruexCullins and ReArch Company, a construction management group. The renovation and expansion project includes new middle school and elementary school additions. The facility serves approximately 880 students in pre-K through grade 12, and has one of the most diverse student populations in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and Senator Bernie Sanders, in partnership with Vermont Afterschool, today announced the recipients of the Afterschool & Summer Expanding Access Grant program for the summers of 2022 and 2023 and the 2022–2023 school year. A total of $4.23 million was awarded to 39 programs from 11 Vermont counties. Building off the successful 2021 Summer Matters grant initiative and the progress Vermont has made toward offering universal afterschool and summer programs, the Expanding Access Grants will continue to reduce gaps in Vermont’s current summer and afterschool system by addressing affordability, increasing availability, building long-lasting partnerships to promote sustainability, and piloting innovative approaches.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the University of Vermont (UVM) approximately $200,000 in funding to perform a study to assess current capacity at on farm digesters to accept food wastes; the potential impacts of food waste co-digestion on biogas production; and the potential impacts of co-digestion on nutrients and microplastics in digestate. The goal of this grant opportunity nationally is to help reduce food loss and waste and to divert food waste from landfills and incinerators by expanding anaerobic digester capacity in the United States. The grant is one of 11 projects selected for funding in 2022 which include feasibility studies, modeling efforts, demonstration projects, as well as technical assistance and training.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) announced that sign-ups are now open for its popular summer tours at the Kingdom Community Wind Project in Lowell, Vermont. Each year, hundreds of Vermonters and tourists alike visit the wind farm to see how it works up close and to learn more about wind energy. The tours are free and last about last about 90 minutes, with GMP experts guiding your visit to two of the project’s 21 wind turbines and answering your questions. In surveys, previous tour participants have consistently praised the experience:

Vermont Business Magazine Recent real estate transactions from Pomerleau Real Estate Commercial Brokerage, Burlington. Including: Bill Townsend has purchased the iconic 11-17 Center Street building in Brandon, Vt. The beautiful 7,000 SF brick building sits in the middle of downtown and is home to the historic Café Provence. After years of ownership, Chef Robert has decided to sell his building. His business, Café Provence, is also currently for sale.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 379 cases of COVID-19 for (211 Monday; Sunday 197; Saturday; 414 Friday). VDH also today reported no additional deaths from the virus. The total death toll is 654 lives lost. Hospitalizations have begun to decrease after a recent surge, even as case counts remain relatively high.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont officials are working to help families and caregivers impacted by a nationwide infant formula shortage. Vermont families are reporting difficulty finding infant formula in stores as a result of supply chain issues and the recall of certain Abbott Nutrition products in February. Abbott recalled seven different infant products after four babies developed bacterial infections from consuming formula that was produced at a manufacturing plant in Michigan. The facility was subsequently shut down to address the situation. To help Vermonters navigate the shortage and find safe and healthy options for feeding their babies, the Health Department has set up a web page of information, resources and recommendations: healthvermont.gov/formula-shortage.

Vermont Business Magazine This year’s commencement at the University of Vermont—the 221st in its history—will take place on the University Green on Sunday, May 22, marking a return to the university’s traditional celebration after two years of re-imagined ceremonies due to pandemic restrictions. UVM President Suresh Garimella will confer degrees on an estimated 3,332 graduates, including 2,558 bachelors, 515 masters, 131 doctoral and 118 medical degree recipients. Among expected degree recipients are students from 44 states and 122 international students from 27 foreign countries. Approximately 1,057 graduates are from Vermont. The graduating class includes an expected 415 students of color.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) today announced that $6 million in brownfields funding has been committed to the cleanup and redevelopment of 453 Pine Street in Burlington. The current redevelopment proposal, being led by two Burlington entrepreneurs, includes a Nordic-style bathhouse and wellness space, boutique bowling alley and entertainment venue, and open space. Burlington residents and local entrepreneurs Jovial King and Alex Crothers have teamed up on the new project that brings together their decades of experience growing businesses that create economic opportunity and enhance community connection.