Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Curtis Fund, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, will host seven pop-up “We’ve Got Your Back” events for this year’s incoming class of scholarship recipients to distribute gift bags filled with donated products from Vermont companies. Each year, the Curtis Fund provides scholarships for low-income and/or students who will be first in their family to pursue a post-high school degree for the longevity of their postsecondary education.

“The Vermont business community is a key ally in achieving our mission,” says Shana Trombley, executive director of The Curtis Fund. “Vermont business owners recognize that The Curtis Fund is helping ensure that Vermonters have the education and skills to fill tomorrow’s jobs and they are eager to show their support, which is why they have generously contributed to the ‘We’ve Got Your Back’ gift bags.”

Cross Vermont Trail Association What a day! On July 23, 2021 the bridge was lifted into place across the river. The keystone is set! The Winooski Bridge was first identified as a top priority project 25 years ago, during the very initial surveys of what could be a Cross Vermont Trail route. And several of the people doing that initial survey, sitting through those first planning meetings - they were there watching the bridge fly in, seeing it all become real.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets The Northern Borders Regional Commission (NBRC) has announced the 2021 Regional Forest Economy Partnership Grant. This funding opportunity is open to non-profit and government agencies (state, local and Indian tribes). The purpose of the program is to assist rural communities, institutes of higher education and research, and economic development support organizations in their efforts to transition the forest-based industry and its workforce to a focus on new technologies and viable business models.

Grant awards range between $250,000 and $1 million for this competitive opportunity. As applications are only open through invitation, letters of interest are required for funding consideration and must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. EST September 10, 2021. Those interested in submitting applications are strongly encouraged to contact the NBRC program director in their state. Program directors are available to help develop projects and applications.

Vermont Business Magazine Davis & Hodgdon Associates CPAs was recently named as one of the 2021 Accounting Today’s Best Accounting Firms to Work for. 2021 is the fourth year that the firm has been included in the national publication’s annual list. This survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in the accounting profession, benefiting its economy, workforce and businesses. The list is made up of 100 firms that are awarded this honor as a result of confidential employee surveys.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Congressional Delegation, Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Bernie Sanders and Congressman Peter Welch, announced last Friday that the US Treasury Department will release funding secured through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) designated for communities in Vermont’s 14 counties. The funding had been held back due to the Treasury Department’s previous designation that Vermont’s counties were units of general local government, as is the case in most other states. The Treasury Department has revised its original designation, clearing the way for more than $120 million to be distributed to municipalities across Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine As a proud underwriter of the Listen Up! Project, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (Blue Cross) is encouraging teens and anyone who has a young adult in their life to attend a show near them. This original touring musical was inspired, written, scored, and performed by Vermont teens. The production is the result of feedback from 913 Vermont youth collected through workshops, in-depth interviews, conferences, and special events statewide.

“Being a teenager is a challenge during the best of times, but during the pandemic we have seen the number of crises among youth spike to alarming levels,” says Don George, President and CEO of Blue Cross. “The Listen Up! Project offers a space for teens to speak openly and honestly about the challenges they face and be validated by their peers and their community.”

by Christine McGowan, Vermont Forest Industry Network According to Elise Schadler, a program manager with Vermont Urban and Community Forestry, a tree warden is a modern day local lorax—a community spokesperson for the trees. Appointed by local selectboards, tree wardens are responsible for making determinations about public shade trees, defined as “a shade or ornamental tree located in whole or in part within the limits of a public way or public place.”

The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce recently held its 64th Annual Meeting at the newly renovated Calcutta’s Sports Bar & Restaurant at the Fox Run Golf Club in Ludlow.

Scott Duffy of Rockledge Farm Woodworks was announced as the 2021 Member of the Year for being selected as the business to represent Vermont at the “Made in America Day” at the White House (although the event last fall had to be cancelled due to Covid), stepping up to co-chair the inaugural “Best of Vermont” Summer Festival committee, and his service on the chamber board of directors.

by Janice St. Onge The pulp and paper industry is not known for its cutting-edge technology or pushing the frontiers of innovation. In fact, little has changed in the 150 years since wood pulp was first used to make paper at the Smith Paper Company. But where others may see an aging industry, Pam Cowan, chief marketing and financial officer at Pulmac Systems International, sees one that is ripe for change.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermonters whose employment has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can again take a free class or training through the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) this fall. The Vermont State Colleges – Castleton University, Community College of Vermont, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College—are offering numerous training options at all four institutions across many high-demand industries and via online and in-person formats.

Vermonters can learn more about these opportunities and register for classes at http://vtworkers.vsc.edu.
This opportunity is available to Vermonters in addition to the scholarships and free tuition programs previously announced by the VSCS.

Vermont Business Magazine Yesterday, workers, small business owners, advocates and legislative leaders came together for the premiere of “We Believe in Paid Leave”, a video campaign lifting up eight stories from throughout Vermont, highlighting the critical and urgent need for the passage of an equitable and robust national paid family and medical leave solution. We know that 65% of Vermont’s workers don’t have access to paid family and medical leave and that the consequences are dire in the event of a personal or family medical emergency. We also know that no one chooses when they get sick or injured and that for most families, nine months is not enough time to save for an adequate parental leave.