Current News

Vermont Business Magazine VT Logger Education to Advance Professionalism is extending the current LEAP certification status to June 1, 2023. This will ease the pressure for some of you who need to get caught up because of COVID. Also, here is a reminder of the changes made to the LEAP Curriculum to help make this industry and you all safer and more productive in the woods. There are two tracks now for a LEAP Logger. One for those of you who fell mostly with a chainsaw and one for those of you who fell mostly with mechanized machinery.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 199 cases of COVID-19 for Tuesday, up from 77 Monday, as cases in the Northeast Kingdom have risen (84 Sunday, 120 Saturday, 142 Friday). There was one additional death, which stands at 614 statewide. As the Omicron BA.2 variant is now the most common coronavirus variant in New England (55 percent), overall cases are edging up but serious outcomes have come down.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) today announced that an additional $2.83 million of the $10 million appropriated for brownfield site remediation has been committed in 2022 for projects across the state. The largest cleanup award to date, $1,233,305, was to Edgar May Health and Recreation Center in Springfield. In total, the State is investing $25 million in brownfields this fiscal year.

Vermont Business Magazine Idaho-based KORE Power, Inc has acquired Northern Reliability (NRI) in Waterbury and launched KORE Solutions, a full-service storage integrator that will operate as a division of the US-based battery manufacturer, allowing KORE Power to become a vertically integrated energy solutions provider. The company announced it will immediately add 25 positions to its Waterbury, Vermont location. Financial terms of the acquisition were not released.

VT Commercial, a real estate sales and leasing firm in Burlington, has released its January and February 2022 transactions. They include: Yves Bradley of V/T Commercial and Michael Simoneau of Geri Reilly Real Estate brokered the sale of the former Ethan Allen Motel at 1611 Williston Road, South Burlington. Vermont Information Technology Leaders leased 1,636 square feet of office space at 600 Blair Park, Williston. And August First, Inc. sold its long-standing bakery and food-service business at 149 South Champlain Street, Burlington. John Beal and Bill Kiendl of V/T Commercial handled the sale on behalf of the seller and the buyer.

Vermont Business Magazine On Tuesday, 30 food and agriculture groups released the sixth annual Feeding the Economy report, a historic farm-to-fork economic analysis revealing how these sectors influence the local and broader United States economies. Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s study highlights how the industries remained resilient to provide Americans with jobs, economic opportunity and safe food.

Vermont Business Magazine NBT Bank, with branches in western Vermont, has earned a BankSafe seal from AARP recognizing the bank’s efforts to stop financial exploitation. In order to earn the BankSafe seal, more than 80% of frontline staff were required to complete a special training and the bank demonstrated further commitment with its policy to report suspected financial exploitation. NBT Bank was also confirmed by AARP to be in good standing based on a review of Better Business Bureau ratings as well as legal and regulatory activity.

Vermont Business Magazine In an effort to create a cleaner and more energy efficient Vermont, the University of Vermont (UVM)―in conjunction with over a dozen manufacturing and electric utility companies, state and local government offices, Vermont higher education institutions, and non-governmental organizations—has formally announced the Vermont Clean and Resilient Energy Consortium (VCREC). The VCREC seeks funding for research and related economic and commercial development related to clean energy, and to collaborate on projects of mutual interest to support clean energy delivery, renewable energy, decarbonization, and energy resiliency.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott announced today the signing of two bills, passed by the General Assembly. This includes legislation to provide an extension for out of state providers to practice telehealth in our state without a Vermont license: H.654, An act relating to extending COVID-19 health care regulatory flexibility.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Department for Children and Families (DCF) announced today that approximately 10,000 households will get an extra fuel benefit through the Seasonal Fuel Assistance Program. Given high oil and kerosene prices, a one-time $350 benefit will be paid to providers to help offset additional costs for program participants.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) today delivered remarks on the floor of the US Senate in opposition to the COMPETES Act, which includes $53 billion in giveaways to very profitable microchip companies. "At a time of massive and growing income and wealth inequality, the American people are outraged at the unprecedented level of corporate greed that is taking place all around them."

Vermont Business Magazine Winooski Mayor Kristine Lott today announced the appointment of Elaine Wang to serve as Winooski’s City Manager. Wang has been serving as the Assistant Town Manager in the Town of Barre, Vermont, since 2016 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Winooski. Previously, Wang spent seven years at Sustainable Communities in Montpelier, holding several positions, including Climate and Environment Program Assistant and Officer, International Program Officer, and Senior Program Officer.