Current News

Vermont Business Magazine iSun, Inc, based in Williston, today announced preliminary operating results for the third quarter ending September 30, 2021, of its recently acquired residential and commercial subsidiary, SunCommon. Acquisition brings total Commercial and Industrial backlog to $90.3 million, including $6.2 and $3.4 million of new business in Vermont and New York, respectively. Residential backlog of $22.1 million includes $14.9 and $7.2 million of new business in Vermont and New York, respectively.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Foundation announced today that its Spark Connecting Community grant program has awarded $48,080 to 17 nonprofit organizations for local projects focusing on creative placemaking in communities across the state. The grants are made in partnership with several generous fundholders who contributed through Giving Together, a program at the Community Foundation that shares grant proposals with fundholders and donors to provide an opportunity to co-fund projects. Spark Connecting Community is a competitive grant program at the Foundation that puts building and nurturing community front and center.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets USDA is now accepting applications for the 2022 Farm to School Grant. Farm to School grants support state, regional, and local organizations in planning, developing, and implementing farm to school programs. Grants are designed to help start new farm to school programs or expand existing efforts.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today that COVID-19 cases increased nearly 100 today and head back over 200. COVID cases were 140 on Monday to 91 Tuesday to 164 Wednesday to 316 Thursday to 262 Friday to 179 Saturday to 278 Sunday. The five worst days for cases have all come since mid-September, as the Delta variant has taken over since early July. Thursday was the fifth highest on record. COVID fatalities are holding at 364 statewide. There were 13 COVID fatalities this week.

There are 44 people hospitalized (down seven) with 9 in the ICU (down seven). Hospitalizations are high but have been stable.

There have been six deaths since Wednesday, with five coming among those 80+ and one in the 60-69 age band. Recent fatalities have been exclusively among older Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc on Thursday reported its financial results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2021. Revenues were $242.0 million for the quarter, up $39.3 million, or up 19.4%, from the same period in 2020. Net income was $15.9 million for the quarter, up $0.8 million, or up 4.9%, from the same period in 2020. Third quarter financial results exceeded expectations, with solid operating execution, cost efficiencies and strong cash flow growth. The Rutland-based company raised its revenue, net income, Adjusted EBITDA, net cash provided by operating activities, and Adjusted Free Cash Flow guidance ranges.

New Streamlined Heat Pump Rebate Process for GMP Customers Starts November 1

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) and Efficiency Vermont announced a new streamlined heat pump rebate process for customers that will start November 1 making it easier to switch away from fossil fuel for heating. Through a partnership with Efficiency Vermont, GMP customers who buy heat pumps can still get up to $1,200 in total savings per condenser, with some of that savings applied up front without the need to submit a rebate form after the purchase.

And, customers who are low and moderate income will get bonus savings through a single streamlined post-purchase rebate application. Previously, customers had to fill out separate forms, with different criteria, for GMP rebates and Efficiency Vermont rebates.

Vermont Business Magazine Waterbury Area Trails Alliance (WATA) and The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR), which owns and manages the Perry Hill Block within the CC Putnam State Forest, are excited to announce the opening of a 1,500-foot extension to the Six Flags Trail at Perry Hill. The new section of multi-use mountain bike trail will connect Joe’s Trail to the Main Climb and will support mountain biking and pedestrian activities. The new trail section will allow for the closure of the Duct Tape Trail which was receiving limited use and required a high degree of annual maintenance.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today that COVID-19 cases fell today after a steep increase Thursday, and fell under 200 Saturday. COVID cases fell from 265 last Sunday to 140 on Monday to 91 Tuesday to 164 Wednesday to 316 Thursday to 262 Friday to 179 Saturday. The five worst days for cases have all come since mid-September, as the Delta variant has taken over since early July. Thursday was the fifth highest on record. The VDH also reported Saturday no deaths for 364 statewide. There have been 13 COVID fatalities this week.

There are 51 people hospitalized (down nine) with 16 in the ICU (up four). Hospitalizations are high but have been stable.

There have been six deaths since Wednesday, with five coming among those 80+ and one in the 60-69 age band. Recent fatalities have been exclusively among older Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the State of Vermont $117,000 to use to help implement Act 66- the state program requiring testing for lead in school drinking water. This money was awarded to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC) through the voluntary Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation, or WIIN, Act Testing in Schools and Childcare Program grant program. In 2019, State enacted Act 66, requiring testing and remediation of lead in drinking water of schools and childcare facilities. The Act requires every outlet used for consumptive purposes at a school or childcare facility must be sampled for lead. The EPA WIIN Act funding helps implement Act 66 focusing on providing sampling at facilities with the most vulnerable populations, children and older facilities with lead-containing infrastructure.

Agency of Transportation This weekly report for the week of November 1 is a list of planned construction activities 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 Industrial computer hardware manufacturer and IoT solution provider, OnLogic (www.onlogic.com), based in South Burlington, has announced the availability of their first devices to feature global cellular connectivity from IoT solution provider UROS. OnLogic computers with the UROS Connect eSIM solution are able to transmit and receive data, without the need for Wi-Fi or tethering, across a wide range of global cellular networks. The combination of OnLogic hardware and UROS Connect is exceptionally easy to use, reliable and secure. Setting up the connection requires little effort and limited technical expertise.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront (BPRW) has been referring the newest public park space simply as “the 311 North Ave park property.” This afternoon people gathered to celebrate the park’s new official name. Unlike today’s park space, the history of the land hasn’t always been a positive story. Beginning with the original colonization of Abenaki land, this land has also housed a misused orphanage where many children experienced abuse, followed by the unfortunate closure of Burlington College, a beloved local arts college. Now in public hands, the park is embracing a management plan that centers on healing and reciprocation. It will be, in perpetuity, a space for learning, sharing, and reflection.