Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Champlain Orchards, a family-owned and ecologically managed farm, recently received more than $15,000 from the Vermont Training Program (VTP). Champlain Orchards recently upgraded its inventory management system and VTP monies will be used to train staff in construction, customization, and use of the new system. Champlain Orchards is among the first in its sector to introduce this technology. It will allow Champlain Orchards to track all of its products from tree to shelf, which streamlines business operations, inventory planning, forecasting, and customer service.

Vermont Business Magazine General Fund revenues were sluggish in August, but personal income taxes came roaring back in September to push GF revenues ahead of targets, as well as above year-to-date expectations and now are well over last year's numbers. September 30 marked the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. However, the Transportation Fund didn't keep up, which has been a persistent problem in recent years.

Vermont Business Magazine Exit 4 in Randolph looks like it might get a new hotel after all. After many years of attempts to develop the exit, and recently and unsuccessfully with a vast mixed-use commercial development, a hotel is proposed across Interstate 89 on the southeast corner, on the right as you head up Route 66 toward Randolph Center and Vermont Technical College. The project has received local permits and a sewer authorization. The project began the Act 250 process with a hearing on October 4.

Vermont Business Magazine A Prevention Network Grant of $450,000 has been awarded to Mt Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC) from the Vermont Department of Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs. MAHHC is the sole recipient of the grant, whose goals include reducing the prevalence of substance misuse by all ages through building regional prevention infrastructure and capacity.

Vermont Business Magazine Saturday (October 19) is the annual Vermont Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference. Senator Patrick Leahy launched the yearly conference 23 years ago, and he partners with several agencies and organizations to organize the workshops. This year’s keynote speaker is Jen Kimmich, CEO of Alchemist Brewery.  Under Kimmich’s leadership, the Stowe business has become one of Vermont’s most popular tourist destinations and is famous for its Heady Topper brew.

Vermont Business Magazine Last night, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a major drug pricing reform bill that includes a price negotiation initiative long championed by Rep Peter Welch (D-Vermont). The Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 (H.R. 3) was approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 30-22. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will save at least $345 billion. It is expected to be considered by the full House in the near future.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan and Treasurer Beth Pearce met with community members at the Pope Memorial Library in Danville to discuss the importance of managing credit and protecting yourself from financial scams. They highlighted that as financial products become more complex and data breaches affecting consumers become more frequent, it is more important than ever that Vermonters manage their credit and regularly check their credit reports. In 2018, Vermonters filed 5,471 scam reports with the Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program – making scams one of the most common consumer issues affecting Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine Today the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $25,000 Healthy Communities Grant award to the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont. Announced during Children's Health Month in October, the grant will help create a new partnership project between the University of Vermont, middle school and high school teachers and students, and community partners to pilot a team-based approach to education, hazard reduction, and educational materials development related to addressing lead in water and soil in Burlington and Winooski.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Patrick Leahy visited the St Albans Town Education Center (SATEC) on Thursday, October 10th, to celebrate National Farm to School month and announce USDA grants awarded for school districts in Vermont to expand Farm to School activities. The grants total $300,000 and will help schools in Franklin, Grand Isle, Caledonia and Orange counties to connect their classrooms, cafeteria and community to local food and farms. The celebration was held in the school garden and orchard, which was the result of a state grant and where several new raised beds were being constructed on Thursday morning.

Vermont Business Magazine All three major data points were negative in September as unemployment rate went up for the first time in over ten years, as the Vermont Department of Labor reported today. According to household data, the seasonally-adjusted statewide unemployment rate for September was 2.2 percent. This reflects an increase of one-tenth of one-percentage point from the revised August rate. If this preliminary data holds, it would be the first increase to the unemployment rate since April 2009.

Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility is proud to welcome New Chapter, King Arthur Flour & Vermont Creamery as newest Champion Member
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) Board of Directors is pleased to announce New Chapter, King Arthur Flour and Vermont Creamery have become VBSR’s newest Champion Members. 

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, October 19 from 10 am to 2 pm, Vermont’s leading and emerging outdoor recreation businesses, trail and conservation organizations, and state officials will gather at Bolton Valley Resort for an expo hosted by the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) and the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative. The public will have a chance to demo bikes and sample products from a wide variety of Vermont’s outdoor recreation brands at VOBA’s first-ever Outdoor Expo. 

“We’re excited about gathering leaders from Vermont’s best-known outdoor recreation businesses – Burton, Darn Tough, Orvis and Rome to name a few – as well as newer brands, trail and stewardship organizations, and state agencies to explore ideas for strengthening outdoor recreation opportunities and increase our sector’s economic impact in Vermont,” says VOBA Executive Director, Kelly Ault.