Current News

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets announces grants totaling $324,467 for eight projects to benefit Vermont fruit, vegetable, and value-added producers and increase consumer access to locally produced food. These grants are funded through the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, October 23rd, locals shopped till they dropped, and raised more than $23,000 to fight hunger in our area. During the 11th annual Charity Sale, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel and customers collectively raised $23,775 for the Vermont Foodbank and JCEO Plattsburgh Foodshelf.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today that COVID-19 cases surged again to 376 cases, the third highest on record. This was an increase of 114 from Saturday. Cases Friday were 377 and there were 487 cases on Thursday, which was the all-time record. The 12 worst days have all come since mid-September, following from the Delta variant surge that began in July.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority has released its annual report for the 2021 fiscal year, which ended June 30. In that time, the organization was able to help 806 Vermont businesses by approving $81.1 million in financing — positively impacting about 6,000 jobs. All 14 Vermont counties and 19 different industries benefited from VEDA’s financial support during Fiscal Year 2021. This included $51.2 million in commercial, small business, renewable energy and broadband loans, to a total of 632 businesses. Loans for the Paycheck Protection Program accounted for $30.8 million of that.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it will set aside $20 million in CARES Act funding to provide assistance to organic farmers who experienced losses or additional expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Biden administration announced it is reversing reductions in cost sharing assistance for farmers transitioning to organic made by the Trump administration in direct contradiction of provisions within the 2018 Farm Bill.

Vermont Business Magazine The Chittenden Solid Waste District has announced that Green Up Vermont will be receiving $79,834.60 for the third and final Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP), as approved by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. This project will fund a grant program to supply and install refillable water bottle stations in schools and high-use municipal properties across Vermont. Founded in 1979 to manage the efforts of Green Up Day, a successful litter cleanup effort first launched 1970, Green Up Vermont’s mission also includes working year‐'round to implement special awareness projects and build environmental stewardship throughout the state.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) has launched his twelfth annual State of the Union Essay Contest. The deadline for student essay submissions is January 11, 2022. Each year, the President of the United States delivers the “State of the Union” address to a joint session of Congress, which outlines priorities for the coming year. Senator Sanders knows that great ideas can come from everyone – not just those in power – which is why he created the State of the Union Essay Contest to encourage young people to become engaged in the political process. The contest is an opportunity for Vermont high school students to describe a major issue facing our country and propose what they would do to solve it.

Vermont Business Magazine Based on formula funding, Vermont is expected to receive $1.4 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs under this package over five years. Vermont also will receive $83 million over five years to improve public transportation options across the state and $21 million over five years to support the expansion of an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network in the state. Vermont will have the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging in the bill. For broadband, Vermont will receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today that COVID-19 cases were 262 and fell by 115 from yesterday's second-highest pandemic record. Cases Friday were 377 and there were 487 cases on Thursday. The 11 worst days have all come since mid-September, following from the Delta variant surge that began in July. There was one additional COVID-related death, for 384 statewide.

Vermont Business Magazine Nine additional incarcerated individuals at Northeast Correctional Complex (NECC) in St. Johnsbury have tested positive for COVID-19. With a total of 16 positives, the situation is now considered an outbreak. The facility has been on full lockdown since October 31.

​Agency of Transportation This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities for the week of November 8 that will have traffic impacts on state highways throughout Vermont. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.

Vermont Business Magazine The Best Western Plus Waterbury-Stowe in Waterbury, Vermont was recognized with the brand’s highest honor, the MK Guertin Award, for exceptional levels of service, quality, value and commitment to guests. The award was presented at an awards ceremony at Best Western Hotels and Resorts’ 2021 North American Convention held recently with hoteliers, corporate staff and senior leadership team in Las Vegas, Nevada.