Current News

Vermont Business Magazine This month, the Vermont Business Roundtable announces new and expanded governance of its VBR Research and Education Foundation. The Foundation complements the mission of the Roundtable, by promoting educational opportunities to help Vermonters thrive in a local and global economy. Going forward, the Foundation’s focus strategically aligns with and supports impactful workforce and education programs.

Vermont Business Magazine Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Markets today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement that creates a powerful alliance between the two storied independent grocery chains, as it nearly doubles their collective footprint in the Northeast. There are 11 Price Chopper/Market 32s in Vermont and three Tops Markets. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Scott Grimmett, Price Chopper/Market 32's President and CEO, will be CEO of and serve on the Board of Directors of the new parent company which will oversee the operations of nearly 300 Price Chopper, Market 32, Market Bistro and Tops Markets stores and collectively employ more than 30,000 teammates.

by Shawn Shouldice Small business challenges have persisted for years due to wage mandates, health insurance premium increases, paid family leave requirements, climate change policies that raise energy costs, and higher taxes or trouble hiring due to the state’s aging demographics. But when Governor Scott declared a state of emergency on March 13, 2020, a whole new world of “small business challenges” landed on the backs of those small business owners from which they may not recover.

Vermont Business Magazine Value Added Producer Grants Applications for the US Department of Agriculture’s Value Added Producer Grants are now open. These grants are designed to support agricultural producers in generating new products, improving marketing activities, and increasing overall revenue. Funds can be used for processing, marketing and advertising, and, in a more restricted way, for salary and wages.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care has hired Brian C Lent to direct the health system’s project to repurpose the former Southern Vermont College campus. SVHC was awarded the former college campus through a bankruptcy auction in December. The leadership of the health system, through the direction of its Board of Directors, has expressed its commitment to developing a long-range plan to maximize the use of the campus, including considerations as to how the property could enhance community and health-related services for the southern Vermont region.

Vermont Business Magazine The Stimulus Equity Fund is Vermont's COVID-19 relief fund for those who were excluded from the federal stimulus due to their immigration status. Applications are now being accepted through March 1, 2021. If you were ineligible to receive a 2020 federal coronavirus stimulus payment due to your immigration status, you may be eligible for relief from this program.

by Bill Schubart Change is relentless. Humanity’s efforts to understand, accommodate, and survive it are invariably buffeted by the headwinds stirred up by those whose privilege may be curtailed by that change.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Lantern Solar has completed construction of a 133kW solar array on Sugarbush Resort property adding to their existing solar portfolio. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new array is being planned for 11:30 am Monday, February 8. This new array, located along the north edge of Lot F at Lincoln Peak, is the 6th Green Lantern array and the first one located on Sugarbush property.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Taxes on Thursday mailed 1099-G forms to 21,000 taxpayers that detail potentially taxable state refunds or taxable grants. These forms are issued annually at the end of January to taxpayers who itemized deductions and received a Vermont income tax refund.

Vermont State Police Veilleux Road covered bridge by River Road in Troy is impassable due to a fire and the subsequent collapse of the bridge into the river below. This route is not accessible by any vehicle types at this time. This incident is expected to last until further notice when a replacement bridge is built.

Vermont Business Magazine Don Sinex, Managing Member of the CityPlace Burlington Team, announced Friday that they have resolved settlement discussions with Mayor Weinberger and the City of Burlington, and that a settlement agreement will be presented to the City Council for discussion at its February 8 meeting and approval at its February 16 meeting.

Vermont Business Magazine About 350 Soldiers primarily from the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, as well as about 200 additional soldiers from New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Colorado will deploy Sunday to multiple locations across US Central Command as part of Task Force Avalanche.