Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Education reminds Vermonters about upcoming opportunities for public engagement through the Agency’s Listen and Learn Tour. Watch this video to learn more about this opportunity to share your thoughts and help the Agency craft a strategic plan which reflects the priorities and needs of Vermont communities. Each public engagement session will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Every session will begin with introductory information and data to support more in-depth conversations, followed by breakout sessions on topics related to student achievement and support, career and college readiness, and school budgets, among other emerging priorities.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs (SAS) today announced the upcoming retirement of Executive Director John Campbell, scheduled for January 11, 2025. Campbell has served with the Department since July 2014, first as a Deputy State’s Attorney in the Windsor County Office, and then as Executive Director since May 2016. Campbell also served as a State Senator for Windsor County for 16 years including 7 years as Senate Majority Leader and six years as the Senate Pro Tempore. The Executive Committees have appointed Tim Lueders-Dumont to the Director position upon Campbell’s retirement. Lueders-Dumont has worked for the Department since May 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine The Center for Agriculture and Food Entrepreneurship (CAFE) at Vermont State University (VTSU) has announced the start of construction of a state-of-the-art meat processing facility on the VTSU Randolph campus. This groundbreaking facility will directly support the growing regional need for qualified butchers, providing individuals direct access to equipment and instruction on the art and science of meat processing. This facility is set to open in May of 2025, under the name “1787 Butchery.”  This name gives credence to the founding year and long-standing educational mission of the legacy institutions that are now VTSU. The space will include a dedicated digitally integrated classroom, and an environmentally controlled processing floor with professional grinders, cutting, storage and packaging equipment that reflects the latest in industry standards. A meat smoker will allow for teaching on cured meats. 

Vermont Business Magazine Getting vaccinated against respiratory viruses like COVID, flu and RSV is one of the most important steps to stay healthy during the fall and winter months — and now is the time to do it. Vermont health officials are encouraging everyone 6 months and older to get this year’s updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. RSV immunizations are also widely available for pregnant people and infants, and older adults. Nearly all children will get RSV for the first time before age 2. Most people will have only mild, cold-like symptoms, but it can be serious for infants, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Older adults should also be protected against RSV. All adults 75 years and older, and adults who are 60 to 74 and have certain medical conditions, should get the RSV vaccine. If you have already received an RSV vaccine as an adult, you do not need another dose. 

Agency of Commerce and Community Development The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has extended the deadline for Vermonters to apply for disaster loan assistance for physical damages. Those in declared counties now have until November 25, 2024, to apply for federal disaster loans for physical damages due to severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred July 9 – 11. The disaster declaration covers Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Lamoille, Orleans, and Washington. Individuals and businesses are eligible for Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Franklin, Grand Isle, Orange, Rutland, and Windsor.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.18 per gallon, up 2.2 cents per gallon from last week's $3.16/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.92/g while the highest was $3.39/g, a difference of 47.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.13/g today. The national average is down 6.2 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 39.7 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine The Associated General Contractors of Vermont (AGC/VT) is proud to announce that it has been as a finalist for the prestigious Verdantix 2024 Innovation Award. This honor recognizes AGC/VT’s exceptional achievements in growth, engagement, Innovative Strategies, Technologies and Practices within the construction industry. The Verdantix Innovation Award is presented annually to organizations that demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing Health, Safety & Quality within the international community. AGC/VT has been selected for their outstanding efforts in advancing safety culture, reducing incident rates, improving processes and delivering significant sustainability outcomes. AGC/VT reflects a diverse array of industries and company sizes, showcasing the breadth and depth of innovation taking place in the field of EHS.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is now accepting applications for the Business Enhancement Grant. This grant is open to Vermont working lands businesses and organizations, which include farms producing food and fiber, as well as forest products businesses. Some food businesses and organizations, as well as agriculture or wood processing and/or distribution businesses may be eligible if they meet certain requirements for local sourcing of raw ingredients or products. Applicants can apply for grants of $10,000 to $50,000. This year, there is no match requirement. Learn more and ask questions at an optional applicant webinar on October 24th from 11:00am–12:00pm. There will also be weekly virtual drop-in Q&A sessions throughout the application period. The application portal is open through December 12th.

by Senator Jane Kitchel, Danville As I reflect on my twenty years serving in the Vermont Senate, there are areas where we made great progress but complex challenges loom. I take pride in getting the State’s fiscal house in order – reserves have been built, we’ve addressed pension liabilities, and we produced a balanced budget every year. Legislation to enact one of the most robust childcare programs in the country survived a veto. We implemented tax policy changes that keep millions more in Vermonters’ pockets. We improved the State’s transportation infrastructure. And while the modest inflationary increase in DMV fees has been heavily scrutinized (e.g. $3.50 yr for a license), it finances Vermont’s transportation system and draws down federal dollars which save Vermont taxpayers' money. Since 2020, we’ve appropriated nearly $300 million for housing development resulting in over 5,000 new affordable housing units throughout Vermont. Yet political messaging has overshadowed this progress.

by Acey Sheehan and Gwen Matthews, Community News Service Earlier this fall, most registered voters in Vermont opened their mailboxes to find an election ballot — but how many have been returned so far and from where? University of Vermont’s Center for Community News, home of Community News Service, has built an interactive map to find out. Center data visualization engineer Ben Cooley pulled together figures from the Office of the Vermont Secretary of State to track the number and percent of registered voters in each town whose ballots have been received and tallied. As of Thursday, more than 11% of those ballots had already been returned and tallied statewide, officials said.

Vermont Business Magazine This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will affect traffic on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont for the week of October 21, 2024. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.  

Vermont Business Magazine Join the membership of the Commission on the Future of Public Education for a community engagement session on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the Randolph Union Middle High School Theater, 15 Forest Street, Randolph, VT 05060. To attend virtually please click here to join the meeting. This will be the first of many statewide input sessions over the course of the next year, and will be an opportunity to: Learn about the Commission, including its charge and timeline; Learn about the current Vermont education context; Provide input to the Commission as it begins its work.