Current News

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.

Vermont Business Magazine United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Jason Turner will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Turner has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont will host a VERMONT WOMEN'S RALLY on the Statehouse Lawn in Montpelier on November 2, 2024 AT 10 A.M.  This event will be a sister event to the NATIONAL WOMEN’S MARCH in Washington, DC, on the same date. State parking lots will be open and free for public parking. Melinda Moulton is the Master of Ceremonies. Members of the Taiko Drummers will Awaken Montpelier and Greet Rally Goers. Singer-songwriter Patti Casey will open the Rally. Beverly Little Thunder and her daughter Lushanya Echeverria will speak together to honor the original Indigenous inhabitants with a land acknowledgement. Vermont Poet Laureate Bianca Stone will deliver a poem.

by Jay Lindsay It’s long been lore in the town of Springfield, Vermont, that it was “No. 7 on the list” of the top U.S. sites Hitler wanted to bomb during World War II. There’s some question about the origins of this list, or even whether it really existed. But there’s no question about the claim at the heart of the story: This small town and its thriving machine tool industry were vital to the war effort. Today, that industry is gone from Springfield, and there’s been long fallout from the loss of jobs and identity. For instance, the percentage of households receiving public assistance is nearly double the state average, according to Bob Flint, executive director of the Springfield Regional Development Corporation. But Flint also pointed to the $9 million already spent to clean up former factory sites in this town of 9,000, and the $5 million more that’s committed. The remediation is seen as a critical step toward commercial redevelopment at the sites.

The Vermont Business Roundtable Executive Leadership Series on October 30 is designed to create valuable professional development and networking opportunities for CEOs and their key team members and proteges, as well as influential leaders in the private, non-profit and public sectors. Future-of-work strategist Heather E. McGowan helps CEOs refine their approach to the future, using data to prepare both people and organizations through cutting edge research and global insights. Her previous work elevated her to become LinkedIn’s #1 global voice for education, and her most recent publications and presentations have helped businesses and industries across the country prepare for the future of workforce and leadership. 

Vermont State Police Early Saturday, Oct. 19, the Vermont State Police arrested an individual in relation to the shooting at the Kneeland Flats Trailer Park in Waterbury.  On 10/14/24 Shawn Spiker was shot and killed and Micheal Perry was shot and wounded inside a trailer at the trailer park. State Police arrested Fabrice Rumama, 20, of Springfield Massachusetts in connection with the shooting and killing of Shawn Spiker.  Rumama is charged with second degree murder.  A judge ordered Rumama jailed without bail pending arraignment which is expected to occur Monday, Oct. 21, at 1:00 p.m., in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Barre. 

SBA Vermont District Office The SBA is accepting nominations for the National Small Business Week awards which recognize Vermont small businesses’ inspirational achievements and contributions to their communities. Join them for a free webinar on Wednesday, October 23rd at 12 noon to learn about the SBA Vermont District Office's nomination categories, eligibility, submission documents, and tips for writing an award-winning nomination! Visit the SBA’s dedicated website at www.sba.gov/nsbw to download forms, criteria, and guidelines for submitting a nomination. Also, join the Vermont SBA District Office for Boots to Business - REBOOT, an introduction to entrepreneurship for veterans and military spouses. This special in-person class will be held in Williston, VT on Tuesday, November 12 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm in honor of National Veterans Small Business Week. 

Vermont Department of Economic Development The Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) application portal remains open for properties damaged by 2024 flooding. Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis and the deadline to apply is November 15, 2024. Technical assistance is available to anyone who needs it, including translations, and people are available to work directly with applicants to help them through the process. All of this information is available at accd.vermont.gov/BEGAP. Additionally, the deadline for 2023 flood damage applications and supplemental funding inquiries has passed, and 2023 supplemental funding applications are now being sent out to eligible organizations via email. Supplemental applications are also due November 15, 2024. 

Vermont Business Magazine WhistlePig Whiskey’s karmic quest for whiskey wonder culminates with the debut this week of The Boss Hog XI. This year, WhistlePig’s whiskey makers searched over 7,000 miles from the WhistlePig Farm to find enlightenment in Rajasthan, India. The Land of Kings revealed the perfect blend of spices to crown the latest rare edition in the storied The Boss Hog collection. A mastery of whiskey creation embodying majestic complexity and elephantine might, WhistlePig presents The Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut. The Juggernaut unites WhistlePig’s oldest and boldest Straight Rye Whiskey with the alluring and celebratory spices of Thandai, an aromatic Indian drink born of nuts and spices. 

Vermont Business Magazine Maple Wind Farm now offers dog and cat owners Pasture Pet, a brand-new line of nutrient-dense pet treats made from single-source, 100% non-GMO ingredients. Handcrafted in small batches and sourced exclusively from pasture-raised animals at the farm in Richmond, Vt., Pasture Pet treats are healthy, nutritious and free from fillers, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. 

Vermont Business Magazine Sarah Waring, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director for Rural Development (RD) in Vermont and New Hampshire today announced that the Agency: Selected Cabot, Vermont, for flood-relief funding through the Community Facilities Disaster Grants Program (CF), and Invested $3,758,883 in 16 Twin State small businesses through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Each state will get nearly $2 million.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets received confirmation this week of a positive Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) test in a horse. This case is in Orleans County, a location in Vermont that had not previously been identified as having any mosquitoes testing positive for EEE. It is the second horse testing positive this year. The horse was unvaccinated and is now deceased. The horse was tested on October 4. It likely contracted the disease mid-September during a period of warmer than normal weather. EEE, which spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito, is rare but can cause serious and life-threatening illness in people and some animals. Although the risk is lower as temperatures cool and mosquitoes are less active, prevention is still important. Until the first hard frost is recorded in your area, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with mosquito bites.