Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Next week, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will hold a public meeting in Brattleboro to discuss best practices for community and citizen advisory boards, like Vermont’s Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens’ Advisory Panel, associated with nuclear plant decommissioning activities. The meeting, one of 10 planned around the country in communities affected by nuclear decommissioning, will also serve as an opportunity for the NRC to hear about lessons learned by these groups.

“Communities impacted by the decommissioning of nuclear plants deserve a role in shaping decommissioning plans,” said Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), “as they bear the brunt of the safety, environmental, and economic impacts of plant closure. It is these communities that are left with the legacy of nuclear power and its consequences, and their input and concerns must be taken seriously.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) campus buzzes with action each summer. Through the VYCC experience, Corps Members discover more about themselves, raise their resilience, and get inspired for new career paths and a spirit of service. Crews dig into hands-on work and learning about farming, growing veggies for Vermonters in need and management of trail and storm water runoff,  keeping erosion under control and waterways clean. On their campus and across Vermont, VYCC turns the outdoors into a classroom that sparks wonder and a sense of responsibility to over 250 young people each year.

Vermont Business Magazine On October 2nd, town energy committees, town energy coordinators and other interested participants from Central Vermont will gather to share their work and to consider how they can improve transportation options in their communities. The agenda for this gathering includes a sharing of updates, presentations from experts, and breakout discussions to identify opportunities for multi-town collaboration

Vermont Business Magazine The global ocean is increasingly threatened by human activity, yet many people remain unaware of how important to all life, human and non-human, the marine environment truly is. “The Future of the Global Ocean,” this year’s Middlebury College Clifford Symposium, will offer talks by pioneering marine scientists on key environmental topics, from ocean plastics and marine protected areas to the influence of melting sea ice on weather patterns. Events take place September 19-21 and include a screening of the documentary Chasing the Thunder that recounts a remarkable story of environmental activism on the high seas.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is partnering with customers and communities across Vermont to help them with projects to reduce carbon emissions during the Global Climate Strike on September 20, and will continue community initiatives through September 27. GMP will work with the communities where its 15 district offices are located, to develop projects that support their local carbon cutting actions.

GMP is also increasing incentives for that week for customers to drive carbon out of their homes and businesses, by increasing rebates for electric vehicles, heat pumps and electric bikes. Customers will be able to qualify for up to $3,000 for EVs (up from $2,500) if they’re low/moderate income and up to $2,000 (up from $1,500) for other GMP customers, $650 for heat pumps (up from $400) and $250 for e-bikes (up from $200). GMP is also launching a new $50 rebate for electric mowers that will continue after Climate Week ends.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Kory Lee George, age 31, of Monkton, was arrested yesterday on firearms violation charges. The defendant appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge John M Conroy in Burlington. He was ordered detained pending a bail hearing on September 6, 2019.

The federal Criminal Complaint filed today charges George with possession of two firearms, a semi-automatic pistol and a shotgun, after being convicted in Vermont courts of felony offenses.

An affidavit submitted with the Criminal Complaint, signed by a Vermont State Police Detective with the Vermont State Police’s Major Crime Unit, alleges that both firearms were stolen.

The pistol, a 9mm Berretta, allegedly was stolen the night before David Auclair was shot to death in Hinesburg on July 11, 2019.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police will hold its Annual Awards Ceremony at 10 am Friday, September 6, 2019, in the House Chamber of the Vermont State House in Montpelier. Governor Phil Scott, Commissioner of Public Safety Michael Schirling and Colonel Matthew T Birmingham, director of the state police, will honor members of the agency and others for acts of heroism and community service. They also will recognize 28 sworn and two civilian members of the state police who are receiving promotions.

“I am pleased and proud to recognize the members of the Vermont State Police and the public who have provided exemplary service to the people of Vermont,” Scott said. “I know I speak for all Vermonters when I say how appreciative and grateful we are for these dedicated public servants.” 

Vermont Business Magazine The Winooski School District (WSD) School Board has approved a recommendation from the Capital Project Executive Committee to accept the Construction Management bid from ReArch Company. ReArch Company, based in South Burlington, will provide pre-construction services including cost estimating, constructability review, phasing logistics and project scheduling during the multi-phase, 18-month construction project. Winooski voters narrowly approved a $57.8 million school renovation bond last May.

(Pictured from left: Johnny Illick, ReArch Vice President of Development; Sean McMannon, WSD Superintendent; Alexander Yin, WSD Board Member, at Back-to-School BBQ on 8.22.19)

Vermont Business Magazine Fall is the time of year small companies are motivated to get down to business. With the summer behind us, and the holidays fast approaching, it is a great time to do the heavy lifting that propels our companies to the next level. Often business growth is accompanied by a need for financing and the Lamoille County Revolving Loan Fund provides needed capital as a supplement to commercial loans, or as stand-alone financing for small projects.

Businesses in Lamoille County are eligible to apply for micro loans from $2,500 to $10,000 or small business loans up to $50,000, for a term of 3 to 5 years. The fund is intended to supplement existing or private sources of funding when those funds are limited.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Innovation Commons (The Commons) announces a new partnership with Microsoft for Startups (MFS), specifically designed to benefit Vermont entrepreneurs. The Commons is committed to increasing entrepreneurship and growth-stage companies in Vermont through knowledge, capital, and mentorship making this partnership a natural fit. This program will support Business to Business (B2B) companies, accelerating their growth through access to free Microsoft technology and mentorship.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, on Wednesday announced that the Vermont Department of Health will soon receive its third State Opioid Response (SOR) grant of $4,020,896 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Vermont now has been awarded a total of $10,140,700 from SAMHSA through SOR grants since the inception of the grant program.

This funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides flexible funding to states to support prevention, treatment and recovery efforts to combat opioid addiction.  Leahy secured this funding in the Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act of 2019. Confirmation of the grant comes one day after Leahy announced that Vermont also will receive a three-year, $9.5 million federal grant to prevent opioid-related overdoses.

Vermont Business Magazine The Bennington Regional Chamber of Commerce welcomed over 16,300 visitors to the 2019 Southern Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival, smashing the previously recorded record for the festival of 15,000. This farmers’ market-style festival is known world-wide for it’s cascading rows of 200 plus garlic vendors, kids activities, food trucks, beer & wine garden, and regional live bands. It is considered to be one of the best garlic-themed festivals in the world by Reuters.