Current News

Vermont Business Magazine In response to the ongoing economic and social challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recession, the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (REIB) is proud to announce the latest developments in its Empowerment Grant Program. Launched to uplift BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) residents, small businesses, non-profits, and community-based organizations in Burlington, the program aims to stimulate innovation, promote economic growth, and foster positive change within the community. To date, the Empowerment Grant Program has successfully distributed approximately $400,000 to support local initiatives. 

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office stated that Joseph Vaillancourt, 42, of White River Junction, Vermont, has been charged by criminal complaint with possessing a silencer that was neither registered to him nor identified by a serial number. On December 16, 2024, Vaillancourt appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle, who ordered that Vaillancourt be detained pending further proceedings later this week. According to court records, on October 18, 2024, Hartford, Vermont police located the silencer along with 13 firearms and over 1,200 rounds of ammunition during the execution of a search of Vaillancourt’s residence pursuant to an unrelated state warrant.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing today announced the recipients of the Transformational Tourism, Events, and Regional Marketing (T-TERM) Grant Program. The T-TERM grant program was created to help events and communities offering unique visitor experiences to expand and/or market themselves to attract more out-of-state visitors and increase overnight stays. Sixteen organizations will share $1,496,838 in T-TERM funding. Of the 16 grants, three are for statewide initiatives and 13 are regionally based. Grants fit into the following categories: Arts and Culture Events (1), Development of Creative Assets and Targeted Marketing Campaigns (5), Outdoor Recreation Events and Promotion (3), Festivals (2), and Destination Development (5).

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Electric Department (BED) will be using drones tomorrow/Wednesday morning to measure its woodchip piles at both the McNeil Generating Station, 111 Intervale Avenue, Burlington, and its satellite wood yard, 45 Demers Drive, Swanton. The measurements will be taken by the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, and performed by members of the University of Vermont Spatial Analysis Lab of the Rubinstein School of Environmental & Natural Resources. The McNeil flight, for which the UAS Team will obtain FAA authorization due to proximity to Burlington International Airport), will take place at some point between 8:30 and 9:00am, and the Swanton flight between 10:30 and 11:00am.

Vermont Agency of Transportation The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles responded to a two-vehicle crash involving an occupied school bus on VT 112 in Whitingham. VT 112 was closed for a short time for investigators to interview drivers/occupants and photograph the scene. Vehicle #1 was a 2016 Honda Pilot operated by Cota Bonna, 18, of Westbury, NY, and lost control on icy roadways and collided with Vehicle#2, a 2024 International School Bus operated by Cathy Morse, 60, of Whitingham. Thirteen children were on the school bus at the time of the crash, and all of them were picked up by parents/guardians or transported by car to the school in Whitingham. 

Vermont Business Magazine Since planning and public outreach began in 2017, the voter-approved Winooski Main Street Revitalization Project, which launched in April 2024, has successfully completed its first construction season as of Tuesday, December 17, 2024. With construction paused until spring 2025, the detour on Weaver Street has been taken down. Two-way traffic is restored on Main Street after pavement and line striping were installed, making travel and parking through the area easier to navigate for the winter. 

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc (NASDAQ:CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company, today announced that it has priced the previously announced offering of up to $45.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds (Casella Waste Systems, Inc. Project) Series 2024 (the “Bonds”) to be issued under an indenture between the Authority and the bond trustee, dated as of December 1, 2024. During the initial fixed rate interest period through June 1, 2035, the interest rate on the Bonds will be 4.625% per annum, and the Bonds will be guaranteed under a guaranty by substantially all of Casella’s subsidiaries

Vermont Business Magazine Stewart’s Shops of Saratoga Springs, NY, has acquired the assets of St Albans-based Jolley Associates convenience store chain and S.B. Collins, including its heating oil business Clarence Brown of St. Albans, Vermont. Terms of the deal remain confidential. The transaction includes the purchase of 45 Jolley stores including five in New York, two in New Hampshire and 38 locations in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine In a report released today by the state’s healthcare regulators, Vermonters could have saved over $400 million in hospital costs over the last five years if a reform known as reference-based pricing had been in effect. The Green Mountain Care Board’s study of the pricing standard – in which the cost of hospital procedures would have been capped at twice the Medicare reimbursement rate – shows that hospitals in Vermont charge educators three times the Medicare rate and state employees nearly as much. Should Vermont adopt reference-based pricing, annual savings for state employees and educators alone could total nearly $80 million a year.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that the number of COVID-19 cases rose again while hospitalizations also edged up but remained low. There were 4 reported fatalities last week. Hospitalizations and general "syndromic" cases were over 5 cases statewide for the week. The number of reported COVID cases rose to 110 from 67  last week. Cases had been falling in April and May and were as low as 31 at the beginning of May, before rising at the end of summer through the early part of the fall. There were 20 COVID-related deaths in September and 15 in October, 5 in November and 3 so far in December.

Vermont Department of Economic Development Happy Holidays from the Department of Economic Development team! 2024 was another difficult year for many Vermont businesses, particularly those that once again experienced flooding. If you are shopping for gifts or celebrating this holiday season, please consider visiting businesses nearby. This is a great way that we can support our neighbors, and the local economy. We look forward to reconnecting in the New Year as we collaborate to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all Vermonters. Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season.

Vermont Business Magazine Looking like a cross between an RV and a box truck, Howard Center’s Substance Use Services Mobile Unit hardly stands out, but for people who can’t get to a Howard Center location, the vehicle is a literal life saver. Howard Center recently introduced the new unit and it is already busy keeping a regular schedule of visits to some of the more rural parts of northwestern Vermont, providing access to treatment for opioid use disorder and other services to people who may not have transportation to brick-and-mortar offices. The custom-built unit was purchased with grant funding from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.