Current News

UVM researchers team up with Casella to uncover the suitability of packaged food waste for organics recycling.

Vermont Business Magazine More than one-third of food waste in Vermont is still packaged—a sticky situation when it comes to mandatory diversion of food waste away from landfills under the state’s new Universal Recycling Law. Act 148 banned food scraps from landfills beginning in July 2020. Researchers at the University of Vermont (UVM) have partnered with Casella Waste Systems to test the efficiency of a new de-packaging system at the company’s recycling facility in Williston.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont’s Class of 2025 is the largest and academically best-prepared undergraduate cohort in the university’s 230-year history—a testament to UVM’s ascending position among public higher education institutions across the country. More first-year students also hail from other regions of the US than any previous class. UVM attracted 38 percent more undergraduate applicants compared to last year, which resulted in more than 25,500 applications, a record high. The previous record was 25,275 in 2015. The new class—made up of 2,932 first-time, first-year undergraduate students—is the largest in UVM’s history.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is partnering with the Bristol Energy Committee to give Vermonters the opportunity to check out the benefits of electric vehicles at the EVenture Ride and Drive and parade on Saturday at the Bristol Green. GMP is visiting communities across the state with EVenture Ride and Drive events, which provide an opportunity for customers to talk with EV drivers and GMP experts in a no-pressure environment, ask questions, and learn about the benefits of electric vehicles – from the financial and carbon savings you get when you switch to driving electric, to the zippy ride that a battery-powered car offers on the road.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Bernie Sanders, Congressman Welch, and Department for Children and Families today announced that Vermont has received an unprecedented amount of Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding this year. Thanks to the hard work of Vermont’s congressional delegation, the program received $49 million in LIHEAP funding, augmented by a one-time block grant increase authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The Department for Children and Families typically receives approximately $20 million each year.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting a steep drop in COVID-19 cases, with 151 down 176 from yesterday. In the last three days, the VDH reported two days with under 200 cases and another near the all-time record. The VDH also today reported two additional deaths for 342 statewide. There are 47 people hospitalized (down two) with 19 in the ICU (up five). Cases in the southern four counties continue to be relatively high.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Jay Peak Receiver Michael Goldberg has issued his Ninth Interim Report. Goldberg took over the Jay Peak and Burke Mountain resorts following fraud allegations in April 2016. This report notes that he and his team have been in negotiations with several potential buyers of Jay Peak since the resort was put back on the market at the beginning of this year. No timeframe or valuation was provided. Goldberg also is somewhat optimistic for the coming ski season as recent revenue and visitation numbers have been pretty good despite restrictions. And this report was released before news that the Canadian border will be reopening next month.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) announced applications are now being accepted for the Brownfield Revitalization Fund. This program was previously announced by Governor Phil Scott as part of Act 74, which appropriated $25,000,000 in General Fund dollars to ACCD and the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) to provide organizations with assistance in characterizing and cleaning-up brownfields across the state.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Sean Fiore, 37, of Burlington, Vermont, pleaded guilty on October 14, 2021, in United States District Court in Burlington, Vermont, to: murder for hire, conspiracy to kidnap and murder a person overseas, conspiracy to produce child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

Vermont Business Magazine GasBuddy Vermont is reporting today that the state's average price of gasoline is $3.24 a gallon, which is 5 cents lower than the US average. Prices have been rising rapidly in recent weeks as the price of world crude oil accelerates. Vermont gas prices are up 8 cents from a week ago and US prices are up 5 cents.

Vermont Business Magazine The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) and governing board (WLEB) were created by the legislature in 2012 to stimulate economic development in the agricultural and forestry sectors. WLEI is a collaborative effort between the Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets, Department of Forest, Parks, and Recreation, and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) is releasing a Request For Application that will allow a Vermont farm, food, or forest business grant opportunities to invest in and scale-up their business.

Vermont Business Magazine Stonyfield Organic, the country’s leading organic yogurt maker, announces its plans to help save at-risk Northeast organic family farms by inviting a number of farms into their direct supply program during the coming months. The move comes after over 89 regional family farmers recently received notice that their contracts will be terminated by Horizon, owned by Danone North America – leaving them with no outlets for their milk. This includes 27 dairies in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting the second highest number of COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic more than 18 months ago with 327 cases. The previous record was just a month ago with 330 on September 15. Cases were up 195 from Tuesday. There was one additional death for 340 statewide. There were 49 people hospitalized (down two) with 14 in the ICU (down two). Cases in the southern four counties have been relatively high, as they have been in Washington and Franklin counties in recent days.