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by Melinda Moulton Many of us have lovely memories about Burlington, Vermont. We shopped at the locally owned stores run by our friends, received excellent medical care at the Hospital on the top of the hill, attended the schools and colleges, opened businesses that brought us economic vitality, and resided and raised our families in Burlington’s neighborhoods. So why are so many of us turning our backs on the city that has meant so much to us? Why are we acting intolerant, reluctant, judgmental, and disparaging? Burlington is one of the most beautiful cities in the Northeast.

Northeastern Vermont Development Association Twenty NEK residents have been awarded free access to an introductory online course in Solar Installation & Design, thanks to a partnership between Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) and the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD). This opportunity aims to boost renewable energy education and workforce development in the region, and it was made possible by the VCRD Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund.

VermontBiz Magazine Vermont Saves, a new retirement program administered by the Treasurer’s Office, is now open for enrollment, announced Treasurer Mike Pieciak. The program establishes a workplace retirement plan for Vermonters who are not currently offered a retirement plan through their employer. Vermont Saves earned unanimous support from the Legislature and Governor Phil Scott in 2023. A successful pilot program has been up and running for several weeks. 

VermontBiz Magazine Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement on this year’s defense spending bill: “We cannot bankroll a nearly $1 trillion military budget, while we continue to underfund our schools, housing, and essential programs American families depend on. This exorbitant level of spending doesn’t serve to improve the lives of regular Americans, but rather line the pockets of the wealthy defense industry. The Pentagon has never passed an audit."

Vermont Business Magazine As the Senate prepares to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – which would approve close to $900 billion for the Defense Department, nearly $1 trillion when nuclear weapons and “emergency” defense spending is included – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) Wednesday gave remarks on the floor of the Senate outlining the dangers of further enriching the military-industrial complex.

VermontBiz Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) today introduced the Natural Disaster Education and Outreach Act and the State Climate Assessment Act, bills that would improve state-level climate research and public education campaigns to boost local resilience, recovery, and response to climate-driven extreme weather events. Senator Welch’s legislation will help communities better understand and identify the risks posed by extreme weather and provide state and local officials, small business owners, farmers, and homeowners with crucial information to adapt and respond to ongoing disasters.  

VermontBiz Magazine With no lucky winner on Tuesday, December 10, the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery is reporting that the Mega Millions lottery game is reaching a record high with an estimated jackpot climbing to $670 million tomorrow, December 13. Regarded as superstitiously unlucky, this day may prove to be lucky for one Mega Millions player.

VermontBiz Magazine The Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living hosted a showcase of Accessible Housing Pilot Projects at the State Office Complex in Waterbury on December 6. The participants in the showcase are recipients of an Accessible Pilot Planning Grant created by Act 186 of 2022. The Champlain Housing Trust, Upper Valley Services, and Riverflow Community Inc. presented their housing initiatives to create innovative housing options for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

VermontBiz Ski Vermont has launched its popular Fifth Grade Passport for the 2024-25 season. The program provides any fifth grader, regardless of state or country of residence, access to 90 days of skiing at ski areas across Vermont

“The Passport program gets kids outside to experience skiing and snowboarding. It’s a chance to learn and enjoy what can become healthy, lifelong activities,” says Ski Vermont President Molly Mahar. “Data show that the earlier a child starts skiing, the more apt they are to continue throughout their lifetime and benefit from the physical and mental health benefits that go along with that. The Passport Program is an opportunity for kids to foster a connection with the outdoors at ski areas across Vermont.”

VermonBiz National Life Group has achieved a new milestone in its corporate philanthropy, donating $913,940 to 595 nonprofits nationwide through its annual employee donation matching program, “Share the Good.” During the month of November, National Life Group employees, directors, and retirees contributed $455,470 with the National Life Group Foundation matching each gift up to $2,000 and including an additional $3,000 in support.

VermontBiz The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) today announced the award of eleven electric vehicle (EV) public fast-charger projects that will contribute toward the build out of Vermont’s charging network to federal and state specifications.

With $9.3 million in federal funding and more than $4 million in private sector investment and Inflation Reduction Act tax credits, these awards are for the installation of 60 new fast-charging ports throughout Vermont. A port charges a single vehicle at a time. Each location will have between four and eight ports that can charge at a rate of at least 150 kilowatts per hour.

VermontBiz On Wednesday, Campaign for Vermont Prosperity (CFV) released a report examining migration patterns into and out of the state using Census and Internal Revenue Service data.

The report found that Vermont’s domestic and international in-migration is not significant and is insufficient to keep pace with the deficit of deaths to births in the state, contributing to the state’s demographic problems. Further, the report found that people leaving the state historically have generated more income than those moving into the state, however this reversed during the pandemic. It is unclear at this point whether this reversal from previous trends is permanent, or just the lingering effects of the pandemic.