Current News

Small Business Administration Join this webinar at 3 p.m. Jan. 14 for a preliminary overview of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program included in the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act signed into law by President Trump on December 27, 2020. Eligible organizations with a reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have the opportunity to receive up to a $10 million grant under the program. In total, the Economic Aid Act allocates $15 billion for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants. This webinar will provide introductory information about the grants, who can apply, how potential organizations can prepare, and other detail re: eligibility and applications.

Vermont Business Magazine In the ongoing effort to connect Vermont food and food products to those struggling during the pandemic, three Vermont entities have teamed up to help donate cheese to the Vermont Foodbank. As a result of a generous donation from Vermont Rotary Clubs across the state, Vermonters in need will be able to access Cheddar Cheese from the Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets continues to facilitate efforts to connect our agriculture and food producers to those in need.

Vermont Business Magazine Research shows that organizations need leaders who are creative thinkers eager to thrive in a climate that fosters innovation. To meet those needs, Vermont Technical College (VTC), Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) and the Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative (VTVLC) will introduce the course “Creativity & Innovation” for High School and Career and Technical Center (CTE) students this spring where they can earn .5 traditional credits plus juniors & seniors have the option to earn three college credits using their Dual Enrollment and/or Fast Forward vouchers.

by Fred Kenney, Executive Director, Addison County Economic Development Corp When COVID-19 hit, businesses and organizations across Vermont were scrambling to adapt to a new virtual and contactless world. In response to the changing economy, the Regional Development Corporations of Vermont (RDCs) worked quickly to launch the ReStart Vermont Technical Assistance Program, or ReVTA program, designed to deliver critically important technical assistance to hundreds of businesses and organizations looking to adapt business practices, retrofit space and access new technologies.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University has joined the U.S. Strategic Command Academic Alliance (USSTRATCOM) Deterrence and Assurance Academic Alliance to enable collaborative faculty and student research and interactions with the nation’s top experts on issues related to nuclear deterrence and assurance and national security. USSTRATCOM membership will provide opportunities for Norwich University students to participate in the annual Academic Alliance research conference and to apply for paid internships at USSTRATCOM’s headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska.

Vermont Business Magazine As the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region turns 75, one of the largest home health agencies in Vermont, is celebrating a proud legacy of achievement while looking ahead to the critical role home health care plays in the future.

“Despite the advances in medicine since our agency began, the power of home-based patient-centered care is remarkable,” said Ron Cioffi, RN, and CEO of the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR). “Our agency started with a mission to bring skilled care into the home and help people heal where they are most comfortable. We have never lost sight of that initial vision and continue to provide the best possible medical care to the entire community.”

by John McClaughry Not the least of the fiscal problems facing the 2021 governor and legislature is the perilous condition of the two state retirement funds, for state employees (VSERS) and public school teachers and staff (VSTRS). Both of these funds are “defined benefit” funds: the state government has the obligation to pay enough into the funds each year, along with contributions from current employees, to make sure there will be enough there to pay current and future retirees the promised pension checks for the next 30 years.

Vermont Business Magazine The Bennington Redevelopment Group (BRG) has announced that as of November 30th, 2020, the Putnam Block Redevelopment Project reached a major milestone of “substantial completion.” Construction on the $31 million revitalization of Phase I of the historic Putnam Block, transforming three historic buildings at the Four Corners in downtown Bennington, commenced in June 2019. In just a year and a half, and despite the setbacks caused by COVID-19, on December 1st, the first group of residential tenants moved into the beautifully restored Hotel Putnam building, with more to follow throughout the month.

Vermont Business Magazine MENTOR Vermont is excited to announce the recipients of the 2020-2021 Vermont Mentoring Grants, which provide funding for youth mentoring programs throughout the state. In 2020, MENTOR Vermont awarded 24 grants, totaling $347,850, which will support more than 100 new and existing program sites, and nearly 1,500 adult-to-youth mentor pairs in communities across Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported that since Friday there have been 459 cases of COVID 19 for a total of 9,078 and one death for a total of 156. Vermont is the only state with under 23,000 cases and fewer than 200 deaths. While Vermont is still in the early stages of the vaccine rollout, the VDH said we must keep up our prevention practices, including physical distancing, mask-wearing, handwashing and staying home when we’re sick. This is still the best protection from getting and spreading COVID-19.

Vermont Business Magazine Ben & Jerry's has gone to the dogs. For the first time in the ice cream company's history, Ben & Jerry's is unveiling two new flavors designed exclusively for canines. Doggie Desserts by Ben & Jerry's are tasty frozen treats that are paws-itively perfect for your pet, specifically formulated for dogs with a sunflower butter base. The frozen fun of peanut butter & pretzel swirls in "Pontch's Mix" or the cool creaminess of pumpkin and mini cookies in "Rosie's Batch" is just what a good dog needs after a raucous puppy playdate or a long walk with their human. All of the high-quality ingredients used in Doggie Desserts can be found in current Ben & Jerry's ice cream recipes.

Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center Strives to Make a Mark on the Region’s Dairy Industry

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) announces the full launch of the Vermont-based Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) funded by the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) and strongly supported by incoming Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and a leading member of the Agriculture Committee Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy.