Current News

Vermont Business Magazine After a two-year hiatus, Farm to Ballet returns to Retreat Farm to celebrate the rich farming culture of Vermont on Saturday, July 10th at 6 pm. With dancers dressed as lettuce leaves, goats, pigs, and cows, this whimsical outdoor ballet is sure to delight all ages. Set on a grassy stage, the full-length ballet is an artful expression of farming, food, and our connection to the land through dance.

Vermont Business Magazine Join us in July, when renowned digital anthropologist and futurist Brian Solis joins Business Forum USA. This webcast, hosted by best-selling author Jon Gordon, will broadcast at noon, Wednesday, July 14. Registration is free.

Norwich Solar Technologies They’ve got the power – literally! Norwich Solar Engineer Nathan Billings and Chief Technology Officer & Co-founder Troy McBride had the pleasure of speaking with local high school students participating in The Governor's Institutes of Vermont Engineering Program last week, one of eight programs GIV is presenting this summer in topics from Arts to Mathematics to Entrepreneurship. While participation was virtual this year, Norwich hopes to be present in person for future sessions.

Vermont Business Magazine This winter, American Airlines will continue to grow its footprint at its largest international gateway, Miami International Airport (MIA), adding two new international destinations and six new domestic routes, including to and from Burlington International Airport (BTV) from November to April on Saturdays.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) and the Department of Economic Development (DED) today announced the second-tier priority group of the Economic Recovery Bridge Program can now apply. The first tier was intended for businesses that had not previously received state or federal recovery funds. Starting today, Wednesday, July 7, the Economic Recovery Bridge Program is now processing and accepting applications from businesses and non-profits who have received prior state and federal funds but can still demonstrate a net tax loss in 2020 due to COVID-19. Pursuant to legislation, the Agency will continue to prioritize applications from businesses that have not received aid.

Vermont Business Magazine On July 1st, Vermont-based Pete's RV Center officially assumed ownership of The Trail Center in North Charleston, SC. The Trail Center is Pete’s RV Center’s sixth dealership, and first in the Southeast.

Vermont Business Magazine The Snelling Center for Government announced today the graduates of the Vermont Leadership Institute Class of 2021. After a very unique year characterized by masks and Zoom tiles and a mix of in-person and remote sessions, the Vermont Leadership Institute (VLI) Class of 2021 celebrated their journey at a Commencement Ceremony held on June 5th at Basin Harbor in Vergennes. As the 26th class of the Vermont Leadership Institute, the Class of 2021 spent the past nine months delving into topics such as personal leadership adaptation; complex systems thinking and innovation; and leadership paradigms that support diversity, equity, and inclusion for all Vermonters.

​Vermont Business Magazine The National Life Group Foundation has awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to almost 150 organizations in northern Vermont and north Dallas, Texas, the communities where its primary offices are located. The general grants are in addition to other rounds of funding that the Foundation has already approved, including $609,000 that was awarded to hundreds of nonprofits chosen by employees and retirees and matched by the Foundation.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced the planned reopening of satellite offices in Dummerston, St Johnsbury, and St Albans in early August. The DMV operates six permanent branch offices that are located in Montpelier, Rutland, Newport, Springfield, Bennington, and South Burlington. Branch offices are open Monday through Friday and have been open throughout most of the pandemic, by appointment only. Those offices will continue in-person services by appointment as the system has proven to be more accommodating for customers and has eliminated the busy waiting room and long wait times.

Vermont Business Magazine Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $307 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 34 states and Puerto Rico. As part of today’s announcement, USDA in Vermont is investing $5.53 million ($3.78M loan, $1.75 grant) to rehabilitate the town of Brandon’s wastewater treatment facility.

Vermont Business Magazine Business Resource Services (BRS) announced today that two out of three companies covered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont’s Blue Edge Business (BEB) health plans have earned money back on their 2020 premiums. BEB health plans are available to Vermont businesses with as few as five enrolled employees.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont PBS today announced the continuation of its highly successful partnership with the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) to provide curriculum support to Vermont schools. Since April of 2020, Vermont PBS has partnered with AOE to sustain and enhance learning for PreK-12 students with support from the Vermont Department of Libraries (VDL). Recently the AOE allocated $50,000 of federal relief funds to provide literacy and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Learning Kits to children and youth in summer programs.