Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s congressional delegation today announced that Vermont will receive $3 million in AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). “AmeriCorps members have an enormous impact on the lives of Vermonters through the excellent programs they support. Here in Vermont, that includes serving at-risk youth, promoting affordable housing, protecting the environment and lots more. We are very pleased these funds will allow a new group of AmeriCorps members to continue this important work,” Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said.

Five Vermont projects will receive $1,662,814 in competitive funding from CNCS to support approximately 189 AmeriCorps members (see list of organizations and grant amounts, below).

Vermont Business Magazine A number of communities have opened public buildings for residents to cool off during Vermont’s current heat wave. The National Weather Service is predicting several more 90-degree days with heat indices in the 100s. Public buildings that can be used for cooling are not limited to the ones listed below, which have been reported to Vermont Emergency Management. Shopping malls, markets, libraries and other municipal buildings are open for business today and available to help you cool down. Call 2-1-1 if you need a place to go.

Vermonters should remain vigilant and mindful of their health and the health of those around them during the heat wave. Check in on neighbors, family and friends who may need assistance in this heat.

Vermont Business Magazine At approximately 4:55 pm on Friday, June 28, 2018, the US Department of Veterans Affairs White River Junction VA Medical Center experienced a sprinkler head burst in the third floor mechanical space of Building 31, the main hospital building. The facilities management and environmental management teams were on-site overnight and through the weekend with all hands on deck to mitigate the damage. No veteran patients staying at the hospital were affected or displaced by the flooding.

When the sprinkler went off (cause still unknown) in Building 31 on the White River Junction VAMC campus, the majority of the resulting water damage occurred in the surgical suite as well as some administrative offices on the second floor. With quick and precise actions of White River Junction VA staff, patient rooms were not affected and the spread of water was minimized.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals announced Monday morning they intend to strike for two days next week. The hospital and union had worked several days late last week in order to find a resolution, but were unsuccessful. The union represents 1800 nurses and 300 technical professionals. Nurses plan to strike at 7 am on Thursday, July 12 until 7 am on Saturday, July 14. Except for the strike dates, they will work without a contract after July 9 when their contract expires, they sa

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Electric Department today issued a peak day alert for Monday (and now also Tuesday) as part of its Defeat the Peak program launched last summer, encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage on Monday and Tuesday from 4:00-7:00pm. Burlingtonians can lend a hand by taking the following steps on what is projected to be an unusually hot fall day.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott announced last week that, after weeks of impasse and approaching the deadline to pass a state budget or face a government shutdown, the Fiscal Year 2019 budget (H16, An act relating to appropriations of state government, financing education and vital records) would become law without his signature.

The governor sent the following message to the Legislature on Friday regarding this bill. See review HERE.

June 29, 2018

The Honorable William M. MaGill

Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives

115 State St.

Montpelier, VT 05633

Dear Mr. MaGill:

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) is encouraging members to conserve energy this coming Monday, July 2, and Tuesday, July 3 between the hours of 3 and 8 p.m. each day. This is when demand for electricity is expected to spike as a result of high temperatures throughout New England.

Vermont Business Magazine So, go ahead, test your ice cream acumen. July is National Ice Cream Month, that much-anticipated time of year when Ben & Jerry's unveils the list of its top 10 fan-favorite flavors. Ice cream lovers across the country anxiously await this announcement to see if their favorite pint has made the list, or moved up or down the ranking. Before scrolling down, come up with your own list and judge your taste buds against an entire nation's.

Vermont Business Magazine Technology Park has secured a new tenant at 30 Community Drive, Kestrel Coffee Roasters. Kestrel Coffees will be opening up a cafe with roasting operations at Technology Park. Construction by ReArch Company will begin towards the end of the summer, for an early 2019 move in date. Starting on July 2, 2018, Kestrel Coffees will open up a kiosk in the same building, serving coffee, tea beverages, retail bags of coffee, snacks and merchandise until construction has been completed.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Catholic Charities, Inc has awarded Bishop deGoesbriand grants to 26 non-profit organizations that make meaningful differences in the daily lives of individual and families throughout Vermont. Funding for these grants was made possible by parishioners all over Vermont who generously donated to an Ash Wednesday parish collection.

“Vermont Catholic Charities appreciates the tremendous support from parishioners throughout Vermont. Through this generosity, countless numbers of individuals will receive critical emotional and financial support. What an amazing outward sign of Christ’s love to the larger Vermont community,” said Mary Beth Pinard, Executive Director of Catholic Charities.

This grant program began in 2011 and since then Vermont Catholic Charities has awarded over 200 grants totaling more than $400,000 to local nonprofits seeking to support those in need in their communities.

Vermont Business Magazine Less than 12 hours after launching the “Garlic Fest 2018 Official Event – Sept 1-2” on Facebook, the Bennington Area Chamber reports that the event had 2,100 interested people and over 190 shares. This only proves that the beloved “Garlicfest” of Southern Vermont still has the interest and demand that has pushed it forward over the past 23 years.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn, representatives from the towns of Colchester and South Hero, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, Local Motion, local and state officials and supporters celebrated the official reopening of the Lake Champlain Island Line Rail Trail, several days ahead of schedule. The Local Motion bike ferry connects the two pieces of the causeway on either side of the boat passage (formerly also a rail draw bridge).

“I commend the work of our state and local officials to complete this project ahead of schedule and in time for the busy holiday weekend, which is important for the community and our tourism sector,” said Scott. “The partnerships that made this happen are examples of the ‘can do’ attitude here in Vermont.”