Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont's Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets partnered with the Atlantic Corporation in 2020 and 2021 to deliver critical market assessment and business planning tools and information to benefit the Vermont maple syrup industry. Atlantic administered a multi-state consumer survey of product attitudes, preferences, and availability resulting in a final report and data dashboards outlining the market opportunities for Vermont maple syrup focusing on new distribution channels, key trends in consumer demand, innovations in value-added products, and other topics.

Vermont Business Magazine The non-partisan Vermont Council on Rural Development released the newly revised Vermont Proposition today while announcing the Future of Vermont Action Team to steer the effort and launching the Future of Vermont Partnership to support the work. The Proposition is a platform for common action to advance a prosperous and resilient future that works for everyone in Vermont. It captures the themes VCRD hears in towns across the state — renew our rural vitality, advance equity, fairness and opportunities for all, protect and enhance our environment and working landscape, and build the sustainable economy necessary for a thriving Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine President Biden announced on Tuesday nine nominees to serve as US Attorneys across the country, including Nikolas P Kerest as the US Attorney nominee for the District of Vermont. If confirmed by the Senate, Kerest would fill the position previously held by Christina Nolan, who was nominated by President Trump. These positions typically change hands with a new administration. Biden said these officials will be indispensable to upholding the rule of law as the top federal law enforcement officials for their districts.

Vermont Business Magazine The Board of Trustees of the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) on Wednesday evening approved the name Vermont State University for the one new university unifying Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College. They will continue to have separate campuses. The rebranding will occur in 2023. Community College of Vermont, the other VSCS institution, will retain its name.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) announced today that Vermont’s 11 federally qualified health centers will receive over $6.9 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan, which became law in March, to support major health care construction and renovation projects, including COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccination infrastructure projects. These awards are particularly important because while federal funding for health center construction and renovation is typically extremely limited, it is critically necessary to ensuring community health center facilities can keep pace with the needs of patients and demand for services.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, along with several partners, are bringing together the maple industry, specialty products, and maple-inspired activities in a statewide campaign offering visitors and Vermonters alike the chance to rediscover favorite Vermont maple snacks, treats and local products, as well as discover new ways to enjoy Vermont's sweetest treat.

Vermont Business Magazine Vanguard Renewables based in Wellesley, MA, and Enbridge, Inc (NYSE: ENB), the Calgary, Canada energy and pipeline giant, has announced a partnership whereby Enbridge will purchase upwards of 2 billion cubic feet (BCF) of renewable natural gas (RNG) annually from the anaerobic digesters that Vanguard Renewables will invest $200 million to build in the US Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest. Enbridge will invest approximately $100 million in RNG upgrading equipment to convert the farm derived RNG into pipeline quality renewable natural gas and provide transportation and marketing services to market that gas to US customers. Vanguard completed an RNG facility in July at the Goodrich Farm in Salisbury, Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) has begun work on improvements to the south end of Lake Willoughby in Westmore. These improvements are in response to significant increases in visitation and use and are intended to improve safety, environmental quality, and visitor enjoyment at Willoughby State Forest. This fall, the focus will be on completing an overflow parking lot at the ballfields on the west side of Route 5A. The next phases will begin in the spring and summer of 2022. These include parking area improvements, ADA-accessible boat ramp access and boardwalk to the West Cove beach, and bathroom facilities.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), through the Departments of Fish and Wildlife and Forests, Parks and Recreation, is developing a new long-range management plan for the Castleton Management Unit, that is comprised of Birdseye and Blueberry Hill Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and is conducting public scoping, including a public meeting September 29, to better understand how Vermonters use and value these lands.

Vermont Woodlands Explore the 2500-acre Trapp Family Lodge property through the eyes of Licensed Foresters. Come to the Vermont Woodlands Association’s Annual Meeting and More on Saturday, October 9, and kick off your day on a guided Woods Walk around the property. Trapp Family Lodge conducts sustainable forest management during annual summer harvests to fill their 300-cord woodshed. They balance forest management activities with a long list of objectives, including resort amenities, renowned skiing and biking opportunities and beer made from water sourced within the managed forests.

Vermont Business Magazine The unemployment insurance provisions that were put in place to expand eligibility for individuals directly impacted by COVID-19 are set to expire Friday, October 1, 2021. With such expansions set to expire, Vermonters will only qualify for UI benefits under the traditional eligibility criteria, such as being laid off or terminated without cause. Individuals who have been filing under one of the COVID provisions, will now be required to conduct a weekly work search.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced that President Joseph Biden has signed a Major Disaster declaration for public infrastructure damage caused by severe storms and flooding from July 29-30, 2021. The declaration will provide federal assistance for repairs to public infrastructure in Bennington and Windham counties. Vermont officials have identified more than $5 million in damages to public infrastructure as a result of the storm in those two counties.