Current News
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Vermont Business Magazine Vermont gasoline prices are unchanged this week at $3.35 per gallon. Burlington gas prices also are unchanged in the past week, averaging $3.37/g today, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 100 stations in Burlington. Vermont gas prices are 0.7 cents from a month ago and up $1.006 from last year. Gas prices in Burlington are 1.8 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 99.9 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
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Vermont Business Magazine A winter PARKING BAN will go into effect for most of Burlington tonight at 10pm. With extremely cold temperatures later this week, crews will be working to clear the sidewalks and roads of snow and ice through the night. Public Works encourages you to check 802-658-SNOW for updates or keep your eye on the snow ban lights. The public is also encouraged to sign up for text/email notifications through VT-Alert. Sign up at burlingtonvt.gov/btv-alerts. Bans are always called by 3PM.
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The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Community Supported Agriculture grant is back! If you’re a licensed early childhood provider or afterschool program interested in incorporating more local food into your operations, be sure to check out this competitive grant opportunity. Successful applicants will receive a grant to cover 80 percent of the cost of a community supported agriculture (CSA) share, or farm share, from a Vermont farm of their choosing. The maximum award is $1,000.
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Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Public Service Department on Friday released its Final Comprehensive Energy Plan for Vermont’s Energy Future. The Plan draws on input provided by Vermonters who shared their insights over the past year in public hearings and online events. Vermonters provided direct feedback on the Draft plan issued in November which helped to shape the final product. In the Electric Sector, meet 100% of energy needs from carbon-free resources by 2032, with at least 75% from renewable energy; in the Transportation Sector, meet 10% of energy needs from renewable energy by 2025, and 45% by 2040; in the Thermal Sector (heating), meet 30% of energy needs from renewable energy by 2025, and 70% by 2042.
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by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 2,217 cases of COVID-19 for Saturday (1,722 on Friday). Hospitalizations set a new record for the second straight day with 115. State officials have been concerned by the impact on the health care system. Already, the University of Vermont Medical Center has gone into emergency staffing mode.
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by C.B. Hall, Vermont Business Magazine Burlington-based Vermont Rail System (VRS), the Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) and CSX Transportation, one of the nation's largest railroads, have reached an agreement on terms of a pending merger between CSX and Pan Am Railways (PAR). On the basis of the agreement, both AOT and VRS will withdraw objections to the proposed consolidation if the federal Surface Transportation Board, which has the final say over the matter, incorporates the agreement's terms as conditions to its approval of the merger.
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Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is urging safety for customers as forecasters say a strong regional storm will reach Vermont early in the morning Monday, bringing gusty winds and a mix of precipitation including heavy wet snow that could possibly take down trees and powerlines.
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Judges Select Putney’s Vermont Weaving Supplies
Vermont Business Magazine On Friday, January 14th, the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation organized a virtual event to announce the winner of the 2021 Windham County Economic Development Program (WCEDP) Business Plan Competition. WCEDP Council members joined the panel of judges, representatives from Vermont’s Department of Economic Development, and BDCC’s business team in congratulating Putney’s Vermont Weaving Supplies, owner Dena Moses, and her growing team on their win.
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Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Story Lab announces its winter labs are open for registration. The online storytelling trainings are designed to help nonprofits kick off their 2022 communications and development. The 2-hour interactive labs are free to nonprofit professionals, thanks to a generous foundation gift. Space is limited to 25 people in each class. (“Introduction to Storytelling” is offered at two times due to the popularity of this class.)
Vermont Business Magazine V/T Commercial, a commercial real estate and business brokerage company in Burlington, VT, announced the following real estate transactions on Jan 14, 2022:
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Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections is announcing 38 incarcerated individuals and nine staff members tested positive for COVID-19 at the Northeast Correctional Complex (NECC) in St. Johnsbury during testing conducted January 13. The incarcerated individuals reside in the same building as the 11 prior positives, the first of whom was confirmed to have the virus in a January 8 test.
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Leonine Public Affairs The second week of the 2022 legislative session started with big news relating to the state’s pension funds. On Monday, the Pension Benefits, Design, and Funding Task Force unanimously approved recommendations to fix the state's underfunded pension system. The Task Force includes members from the legislature, the Scott Administration, labor organizations and the Office of the State Treasurer. The Task Force agreement would require the state to make a $200 million payment toward the system’s debt and use 50 percent of future general fund surpluses to support the fund. Member contributions would also increase and benefit plans would be scaled back. The changes would not affect current retirees and beneficiaries.