Current News

by Senator Bernie Sanders The best part of my job as your Senator is sitting down with Vermonters from across our state. And on especially good days, like ones recently in Burlington and Fairfield, that also includes shooting some hoops with young Vermonters. As Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, I am working on the next budget reconciliation bill, which will determine the investments the federal government makes over the next decade to make life better for individuals and families throughout our nation.

by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine Chittenden County has been the envy, for better or worse, of the rest of the state for decades. COVID is about as defeated there as anywhere in the nation, or even in the world, and the economy is bouncing back. But there’s still that big hole in the ground in Burlington that just won’t go away. But still…

by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine “I remember the last day of manufacturing, and we just brought everyone together and said, ‘this is an unknown right now,'” said Julia Birnn Fields. “Our number one priority is your safety, and so until we know more, we're going to shut down production.” Birnn Fields co-owns Birnn Chocolates of Vermont, a fourth-generation chocolate company which produces truffles for the wholesale market from their factory in South Burlington.

by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine In March when approximately 1,200 students and staff started classes out of the former Macy’s store on Cherry Street, the story received national attention. Prussack isn’t surprised at the stories that were written about a high school setting up shop in a dead department store. To him, the news represented a positive story about how the Burlington School District found an innovative solution to a difficult problem.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington-based Benchmark Space Systems, a leading provider of in-space mobility products and services, have announced a breakthrough in-space mobility service that virtually eliminates upfront propulsion equipment costs and boosts on-orbit, servicing, assembly and manufacturing (OSAM) mission revenues by allowing satellite operators and service providers to pay as they go for in-space transport.

by Jane Stromberg, Green Mountain Solar, Williston The first backup battery powered statehouse in the nation is nestled right here in the mountains of Montpelier, Vermont. You know what they say, “real leadership leads by example,” but what is this an example of exactly? Well, we can point to three key elements: increasing energy resilience, embracing energy independence, and creating an environmentally sustainable future in Vermont.

We are seeing a shift in energy sources toward renewables, which is an amazing first step to re-imagining how we power our lives. But the battery is what will take us across the finish line. Here’s how.

Vermont Business Magazine On July 10 at approximately 12:06 pm Vermont State Police, Marshfield Fire Dept, East Montpelier EMS and Plainfield FAST Squad responded to a report of a car vs motorcycle crash on VT Rte. 232 in Marshfield.

by Major Meghan Smith, 158th Fighter Wing Airmen, aircraft and support equipment from the Vermont Air National Guard will begin departing on July 14, from the 158th Fighter Wing to train at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. This three-week exercise, known as Red Flag, provides pilots, aircrew and operators a realistic training environment to prepare them for any combat environment.

Vermont Business Magazine On Thursday, July 8, New England Federal Credit Union’s (NEFCU) David Bird, Digital Marketing Manager and Sarah Ricker, Sr Community Relations Specialist presented a check for $20,000 to the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Burlington. On hand to accept the check was Angela Putnam, Sr. Manager. The funds will help Hope Lodge re-open, after having closed due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM), the Vermont Arts Council, and the Vermont Recreation and Parks Association are pleased to announce the launch of a new summer event calendar, Stages in the Sun. Supported by a generous COVID-19 Response Grant from the Vermont Community Foundation, the new Stages in the Sun calendar is filled with music, live events, and arts happenings at parks, pavilions, vineyards and other outdoor Vermont venues this summer.

White + Burke has confirmed that the 7th annual Vermont Development Conference will be held on November 4, 2021. The Planning Committee is now accepting speaker proposals. We look forward to receiving varied proposals from around the industry with a particular interest in sessions that focus on timely issues. Some of these may include lessons learned from the pandemic, updated regulations, and/or important topics like DEI in land development and climate change.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The tight labor market continues, just as it was before the pandemic. Businesses have urged the governor to suspend the federal unemployment insurance stipend they maintain has kept otherwise able-bodied workers at home. They believe the $300 extra a week results in some potential employees making more not working than working. Governor Scott in May reinstated the work-search requirement for UI filers and at the end of June told VBM that he would end the federal stipend in September whether or not Congress extended it.