Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont River Conservancy took the final steps to permanently protect more than 6,000 acres owned by Northeast Wilderness Trust at the headwaters of the Lamoille and Winooski Rivers, the organization’s largest undertaking in its 30-year history. The Preserve protects the summit of Woodbury Mountain, Eagle Ledge, expansive wetlands, and 36 miles of headwater streams. Beyond its flood resilience benefits, the project safeguards a crucial wildlife corridor. The Preserve is a cornerstone of the “Worcester-to-Kingdom” wildlife linkage. This forested corridor has been identified by the Staying Connected Initiative as regionally critical for wide-ranging mammals as well as species moving and responding to a rapidly changing climate. 

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department issued 180 moose hunting permits this year, resulting in 62 moose harvested between the October 1-7 archery season and the October 19-24 regular season.  Moose hunting was only allowed in Wildlife Management Unit E, in northeastern Vermont. Of the 180 permits available, 174 were issued by lottery, to which nearly 5,800 hunters applied. The department reserves the first five lottery permits for Vermont military veterans.  Three non-lottery permits are reserved for persons with life-threatening illnesses, and three more are auctioned as a fundraiser for conservation.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department biologists survey oak and beech stands around the state each fall to assess how plentiful acorns and beechnuts are because they are important fall foods for wildlife. In areas where acorns or beechnuts are not abundant many of Vermont’s wildlife species will be on the move looking for alternative food options before winter, and some bears will enter winter dens early.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking hunters to participate in its annual deer hunter effort and sighting survey. The survey asks hunters to record how many hours they hunted and how many deer, moose, bears, or other wildlife they saw each day they hunted.  This information helps the department evaluate how hunting pressure and the number of these animals varies around the state.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, was awarded the American Farm Bureau Federation’s “Friend of the Farm Bureau” Award for the 118th Congress for his leadership and commitment to Vermont’s farmers and rural communities. Senator Welch accepted the award at the Vermont Farm Bureau’s annual dinner in Fairlee. 

Northeastern Vermont Development Association Vermont Climate Council's subcommittees are hosting virtual input sessions on the Climate Action Plan (CAP) update. Learn about each subcommittee's proposed direction for their portion of the update. Join in to share your perspective on these important issues. The Vermont Climate Council is updating the state’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). Subcommittees of the Council are holding a series of virtual public meetings to get input on their initial ideas for the update. This meeting will touch on a diverse array of proposals for the Climate Action Plan – from cutting climate pollution to land use to adaptation and resilience. The 11/19 meeting will be specifically focused on actions that are implemented at the town level. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Stowe Mountain Resort announced Mike Giorgio as General Manager, effective Monday, November 18. Most recently, Giorgio led six Midwest resorts in the Vail Resorts portfolio as Regional General Manger based out of Mt. Brighton Resort in Michigan. Giorgio began his career with Vail Resorts nearly 11 years ago as the Executive Chef of Mount Snow, where he then spent the next 11 years running Food and Beverage. In 2021, he was appointed General Manager at Mt. Brighton, and earlier this year was promoted to Regional General Manager overseeing six Midwest resorts: Mt Brighton, Mad River, Paoli Peaks, and Boston Mills/Brandywine/Alpine Valley. Mike brings a wealth of experience and passion for enhancing the employee and guest experience. 

Vermont Business Magazine Representatives from National Life Group presented Howard Center with a check for $55,000 representing proceeds from Do Good Fest held on July 13 in Montpelier. Benefiting Howard Center and Branches of Hope, the 10th annual Do Good Fest hosted 6,500 people and raised $110,000. Festival goers enjoyed performances from Fitz and the Tantrums, Rachel Platten, Dishwalla, Couch, and Beats for Good high school musician contest winner The Radiance. The contribution will support Howard Center’s youth mental health programs and services including three therapeutic schools offering educational programs for children and youth who have social, emotional, or behavioral challenges that may interfere with their learning. Howard Center clinicians also work with students in all Chittenden County schools.

Vermont Business Magazine A Saint Michael’s College student is shining light on the lived experiences of people with disabilities – including her own – through her original play, “A Taste of Freedom,” and an accompanying panel discussion. Sadie Chamberlain ’25, a double major in Theatre and Psychology from Lyndonville, Vermont, wrote and will star in her play, the College’s fall Mainstage production. The play doubles as her senior capstone project. The play will run from Nov. 6 until Nov. 9 and will begin at 7 p.m. each night in the McCarthy Arts Center Theatre. The performances are free and open to the public.   

Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, Common Good Vermont convened the first annual Vermont Nonprofit Summit in Montpelier. The Summit brought together over 200 nonprofit leaders from across the state to share innovative ideas and best practices. The event offered valuable insights into topics including fundraising, organizational development, and communication, equipping participants with tools to enhance their impact. Recently released data from the federal government reports that 20 percent of Vermont’s workforce is employed at a nonprofit organization, the second highest percent of workforce in the country. 

Vermont Business Magazine National Small Business Week 2025 will take place May 4-10, 2025. SBA will officially recognize these small businesses for their hard work, ingenuity, dedication, and their contributions to the economy. Vermont Business Magazine and the Small Business Administration recognize the Small Business Person of the Year and also award other business owners in various other categories.

Vermont Business Magazine Representatives from Comcast and the Vermont nonprofit Technology for Tomorrow (T4T) recently spent the afternoon on Church Street Marketplace teaching people how to be safe on the internet and helping them with technical and online privacy questions. The informational session was to commemorate National Digital Inclusion Week, which brings awareness, recognition and celebration of digital equity efforts. T4T, based in Williston, works to bridge the digital divide by empowering individuals and organizations through affordable technology, supporting skills training, and enabling virtual opportunities through various local, state, and national collaboration efforts to help individuals and organizations reach their goals. They work with older adults, recent immigrants (particularly those with a refugee background), and people in workforce development programs.