Current News

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.

Vermont Business Magazine Thursday the House passed nine out of 12 of the annual Appropriations bills to fund the government that included Rep. Peter Welch’s legislative priorities and funding for nine community projects. The appropriations bills include increased funding for affordable housing, public health infrastructure, education, and green energy projects, among other Welch priorities.

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Tuesday joined Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), and 14 additional Congressional colleagues in reintroducing legislation to create an alternative to incarceration for eligible parents and caregivers, while providing the resources they need so their children can stay safely at home instead of entering the foster care system.

The Finding Alternatives to Mass Incarceration: Lives Improved by Ending Separation Act (FAMILIES Act) would allow federal judges to divert parents and caregivers from incarceration into a comprehensive program that would better serve them, their families and society by offering resources, services and training to meet their unique needs. The legislation is modeled after successful programs in Oregon and Washington state that have kept hundreds of families together and been key to reducing recidivism.