Current News

Vermont Business Magazine RSG has released the findings of a months-long study of drone noise pollution and outlined ways operators and communities can mitigate annoyance. The innovative white paper examines the impact of drone noise on communities in the United States and abroad and uses Vermont’s Burlington/Lake Champlain region as a model for a proposed solution. The drone services market is projected to grow to $63.6 billion by 2025. And just this past week, Amazon received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to begin delivering packages via Prime Air, its drone delivery service.

Vermont Business Magazine This summer marked a major milestone for Vermont solar’s collaborative efforts to restore pollinator habitat in our state. In July, Middlebury-based REV Member, Bee the Change teamed up with REV Member Green Lantern Solar to install its 20th pollinator-friendly solar field on a 4.5 acre site in New Haven. The site will soon host dozens of species of plants designed to attract native and migratory pollinator insects and beneficial bird species.

Vermont Business Magazine Time is running out to apply for two major agricultural granting programs related to Covid-19. The deadline to apply for millions of dollars is just one month away on October 1. The purpose of VCAAP funds is to stabilize agricultural businesses and organizations based on their lost revenues and expenses related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Dairy Assistance Application and Agriculture and Working Lands Applications are now available but the deadline to apply is fast approaching.

Vermont Business Magazine Waterbury-based renewable energy company, Green Lantern Solar, has completed construction of a 150 kW solar array in Bristol, VT. The Town of Bristol will be the off-taker of net metering credits generated by this array, providing a direct benefit to the Town’s bottom line by reducing the Town’s electricity bills. Green Lantern has completed nearly 90 projects in Vermont, adding nearly 40 megawatts (MW) of new in-state solar power to Vermont’s grid. Green Lantern’s projects are located in 66 towns throughout Vermont.

Audubon Vermont Overall the 2020 Peregrine Falcon breeding season was a very successful one. Of the 55 pairs that were monitored by community scientists and Audubon Vermont and Vermont Fish & Wildlife staff, at least 48 nested, and at least 36 were successful. And it is not only a sin to kill a mockingbird, it is also a crime.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency Foundation has donated $47,500 to charity through their 9th Annual All Charity Golf Tournament at Burlington Country Club. On Monday, August 17th over 100 golfers joined at the Burlington Country Club for The Vermont Agency Foundation’s 9th Annual All Charity Golf Tournament. This year’s event brought 27 teams together to golf for the charity of their choice. The top three teams, and one player selected at random, competed in a closest to the pin shootout with the top team winning $20,000 for YPLAY. Second place received $10,000 for Girls on the Run, and third place received $5,000 for The Sunrise Fund.

Vermont Business Magazine The Data Dashboard on our Current Activity in Vermont web page has a new look! It also now shows new COVID-19 data broken down by Vermont county. Choose the tab at the bottom of the dashboard for “County-level Case Info.” You can also find a graph of new and cumulative cases in each county, as well as breakdowns by age and by sex. As for the data, there were three new cases of COVID-19. There has not been an associated death in a few weeks, which are holding at 58. For those in the Rutland area concerned about the Killington-related outbreak, there are multiple testing sites available.

Vermont Business Magazine Washington Central Unified Union School District (WCUUSD) announced today that they have deployed thermal imaging technology in four of the six district facilities to assist them in monitoring the body temperatures of their students, staff and visitors. Students, staff and visitors will be screened for elevated temperatures and be required to adhere to safety protocols.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont utilities are warning customers of a phone scam today. In a sudden surge of calls, the scammers claim to be from a Vermont utility, including Green Mountain Power (GMP), Burlington Electric Department (BED), VGS, Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC), Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (VPPSA), and Washington Electric Cooperative (WEC), and then demand immediate payment and threaten to cut off power. Your local utilities would never treat its customers in this manner. If you receive such a call, just hang up. It is a scam.

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, September 5th Bennington will become “Garlic Town, USA” for one day in celebration of garlic, agriculture and community. The actual event takes place from 10am-5pm throughout Bennington’s downtown district. Earlier this summer, when Vermont Governor Scott restricted festivals due to the COVID Pandemic, the Southern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, producers of the renowned “Garlic Fest” pivoted to create something more amenable to safety and the governor’s restrictions. Garlic Town, USA was born.

​Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Retail & Grocer Association seeks to clarify requirements of retail employees wearing masks. Retail employees are required to wear cloth face masks in the presence of other employees and all customers regardless of a translucent “sneeze guard.” VRGA has learned of confusion surrounding requirements set forth by the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and would like to ensure clarity for everyone’s safety.

Vermont Research News Phosphorus levels in Lake Champlain haven’t always been a cause for concern. It wasn’t until the early 20th-century when marginal farms were abandoned causing afforestation of the watershed that accumulation rates increased. Also, when human activity increases in protected wildlife areas, bobcats have been known to become more active at night. Even recordings of human conversation were found to decrease the diurnal activity of bobcats by 31%. And While Vermont/New York farmers’ markets could benefit by improving facilities and improving the presentation of the products, as they do in Quebec, both regions could benefit from increasing promotion.