Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power has announced that this summer it will bring back its popular tours at the Kingdom Community Wind Project in Lowell, Vermont, after suspending plans for public tours due to the pandemic in 2020. For seven straight years prior to the pandemic, hundreds of Vermonters and tourists alike saw the wind farm up close and learned more about how wind energy works. The tours are free and last about last about 90 minutes.

Leonine Public Affairs The Vermont General Assembly adjourned on Friday, May 21, ending the first fully remote legislative session in state history. The 2021 legislative session culminated in an FY2022 budget bill that invests $7.3 billion across state government. The bill, H439, includes nearly $600 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, investing in economic recovery, fighting climate change, clean water, housing, broadband and state information technology infrastructure among other things.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott had several announcements including nearly $4 million in federal funds secured by Senator Sanders dedicated to expanded summer youth programs. He also was cautiously optimistic about ending the pandemic mitigation measures by the end of next week. But starting today, he is lifting the curfew imposed on bars, restaurants and social clubs, which can all now go back to regular hours. The Agency of Education also announced that guidance is being developed that outline school plans for the fall semester. Essentially, the fall semester is expected to be back to normal with full, n-person education. The governor is reminding Vermonters to honor our fallen heroes this Memorial Day weekend. And as the pandemic emergency winds down, Scott is cutting back his press briefing to once a week starting this Tuesday.

Vermont Business Magazine On Monday night at the Bennington Select Board meeting the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce announced that they would be bringing their annual “Garlic Fest” to downtown Bennington this Labor Day Weekend as “Garlic Town, USA.” On Saturday, September 4th Bennington, Vermont will transform into “Garlic Town, USA” once again in celebration of all things garlic and agriculture!

Vermont Business Magazine OVR Technology (ovrtechnology.com), a leader in multisensory VR/AR in Burlington, has announced the release of its INHALE Wellness Platform, the first in a series of tools that work toward creating greater access to evidence-based integrative health tools for both care providers and patients. OVR Technology has partnered with several content leaders to develop each aspect of the INHALE platform.

Vermont Business Magazine Last week, Rock Point School students and faculty removed a large portrait of Bishop John Henry Hopkins, a noted figure in the history of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont. In 1832, Hopkins became the first Episcopal Bishop of Vermont, and his son built the school building in the late 19th Century to honor his father.

Vermont Business Magazine There are plenty of walk-in opportunities throughout the weekend, including at some special events. On Saturday, you can get vaccinated at the Burlington Farmers Market. The clinic will offer the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for anyone 18 and older from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 345 Pine St. Thunder Road in Barre is also hosting a walk-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Sunday as part of the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic. The VDH is reporting today only eight cases of COVID-19 statewide with deaths holding at 255, which is unchanged since May 15. As for reaching Governor Scott's 80 percent vaccination goal, he's still hoping for the end of next week. The state is at 77.6 percent, but the CDC is making adjustments to the data and is closed Monday, so Tuesday will be the next full update.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation is opening the State Historic Sites for the 2021 season. Opening on Saturday, May 29, are the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch, Mount Independence State Historic Site in Orwell, and Bennington Battle Monument in Bennington. The observation deck of the Monument will be open again this season, affording visitors spectacular 360-degree views.

by Mike Donoghue, correspondent, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont's chief federal judge has agreed to quash two court-ordered subpoenas on behalf of former Jay Peak executive William Stenger after learning many of the documents have been provided – possibly without the knowledge of the state and a law firm. Judge Geoffrey W Crawford in Rutland had initially approved in April the subpoena requests by the defense, but both the Vermont Attorney General's Office and a private Burlington firm representing the state wanted the court orders blocked to try to ensure Stenger does not get to see or use records about possible fraud in the EB-5 case.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, Senator Bernie Sanders and Vermont Afterschool today announced the recipients of the Summer Matters for All Grant Program. A total of $3.85 million was awarded to about 100 programs in 13 counties to expand access to summer enrichment opportunities for K-12 youth this summer. The grants were awarded to a variety of programs, including summer camps, libraries, municipalities, teen centers, non-profit social services organizations and more, to expand the number of weeks and slots, as well as to increase affordability and accessibility of summer programs. These offerings will supplement school-based programs.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Friday issued the following statement after President Joe Biden released his fiscal year 2022 federal budget proposal: “The budget that President Biden has submitted to Congress constitutes the most significant agenda for working families in the modern history of our country."

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Veronica Lewis, 37, of Worcester, Vermont, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Christina Reiss after previously having pled guilty to Interference with Commerce by Robbery and Possession of a Stolen Firearm. The case originally resulted in a legal confrontation between Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George, who had dropped the charges because of the mental health issues, and Attorney General TJ Donovan who reinstated them.