Current News

by Martha Trombley Oakes The federal Public Health Emergency is set to end on May 11, marking a new phase in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, the negative impacts of the pandemic continue for far too many across every community in Vermont. Food insecurity rates in Vermont are higher than they have ever been—higher than at the height of the pandemic-- at a time when state and federal support programs have been reduced or ended. This concerning combination of increased need and reduced supports is creating surges in utilization of food shelves and meal sites across Vermont. The state must remain a focused partner to ensure everyone is able to meet this most essential and shared basic need—having enough to eat every day.

Leonine Public Affairs Tensions were on the rise this week in the Vermont State House as the Senate Appropriations Committee worked to refine their version of the FY2024 budget. It is normal for the annual spending bill to become the center of the Vermont political universe in April, but this year feels more intense. This is in part due to significant state surpluses and federal stimulus money, and in part because Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Senate and House seem to be relatively far apart on their budget priorities. The governor has made it clear he is frustrated with Democratic spending plans because he thinks they are financially unsustainable. The governor and members of his administration are advocating against proposals to increase motor vehicle fees and implement payroll taxes to pay for childcare and a paid family and medical leave insurance program.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington-based V/T Commercial has announced its first quarter real estate transactions. These include: General Dynamics renewed its lease of 31,500 square feet at 326 IBM Road, Williston; Representative Becca Balint has leased 3,000 square feet at the historic Howard Opera House in Downtown Burlington; Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences subleased a variety of office spaces in the property located at 261 Mountain View Drive, Colchester.

Vermont Business Magazine The Home Depot is hiring more than 75 associates in the Vermont-area for its busy spring season. The Home Depot’s Virtual Spring Career Day event on April 11 gives jobseekers an inside look at what it's like to be part of the team, including company benefits and culture, through live chats with current associates, virtual booths and more. A common question during last year’s Virtual Spring Career Day was “What’s my application status?” New for 2023, the queued chat function allows jobseekers to receive status updates from recruiters in real-time. Attendees will also have the chance to enter to win an iPad throughout the event.

Vermont Business Magazine There are many reasons to love Brattleboro, VT, but one of its great claims is to be among an elite group of towns housing an establishment where you can drink beer in two states at once. The line separating Vermont and New Hampshire runs right through Whetstone Beer Co.'s taproom on the Connecticut River, inspiring the brewery to celebrate its unique location with the release of Borderline Pale Ale. The "interstate" nature of Whetstone Beer Co. has a complex history. The original 1903 wooden bridge crossing the Connecticut River to New Hampshire at Whetstone's Bridge Street location was replaced in 1920 by a 330-foot-long truss. To support the structure, new footings were poured into the riverbed, extending the "land" on the Vermont side of the river by 5 feet. However, the state line already established by the US Geological Survey refused to budge, even as the structure that now houses Whetstone Beer Co. was built atop.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) last Saturday welcomed more than 130 students from across all 14 Vermont counties to his first-ever annual “Youth Chess Day.” Held at Vermont Technical College in Randolph, this inaugural event featured a learn-to-play session for students interested in trying out the game for the first time, as well as a recreational tournament for more experienced players.

Vermont Business Magazine LifeDNA, a wellness service and personal genomics company, now provides consumers with curated New Chapter vitamin and supplement recommendations based on their own unique DNA. Through data collected from a non-invasive DNA test, LifeDNA’s pioneering program uses science-backed nutritional insights to help users build custom wellness routines that are entirely rooted in genetics. LifeDNA’s new program creates science-backed reports with personalized insights about an individual’s DNA, including custom New Chapter® vitamin and supplement suggestions as determined by LifeDNA.

Vermont Business Magazine Downtown White River Junction residents will soon be able to enjoy a new community mural and public space on the side of the COVER Building at 158 South Main Street in White River Junction thanks to a recently launched crowdfunding campaign. The campaign is sponsored by the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development’s Better Places program and led by the COVER Home Repair and Store. If the campaign reaches its $3,500 goal by May 1, 2023, “A Community Mural for White River Junction” will receive a matching grant of $7,000 dollars from DHCD’s Better Places program.

Vermont Business Magazine Lost Lantern, the award-winning independent bottler of American whiskey, is excited to announce the launch of its new Single Distillery Series. For its debut, Lost Lantern closely collaborated with two of the most exciting names in American single malt whiskey: Balcones Distilling in Waco, TX, and Whiskey Del Bac in Tucson, AZ. Each release in the Single Distillery Series is a blend of multiple casks all sourced from a single distillery. These whiskies allow the Lost Lantern blending team to deeply explore what makes a distillery unique and special, often by bringing together flavors in a new way and showing a new perspective on a distillery.

The Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) is conducting internal administrative and medical reviews following the death of an incarcerated individual on Friday. Anthony Giallella, 85, of Brattleboro, Vt., was receiving end-of-life comfort measures at the SSCF infirmary following treatment in a medical facility. At 13:25, a Correctional Officer observed signs of medical distress during a routine visual check. SSCF medical personnel were notified and responded immediately. Mr. Giallella was pronounced deceased at 13:35. The official cause of death will be determined by the Vermont State Medical Examiner but is not considered suspicious at this time.

Vermont Business Magazine Venture 7 Advisors, a Burlington, Vermont-based merger and acquisition advisory firm, announced the recent sale of manufacturing and construction company Energy Smart Building of Starksboro, Vermont to private investor Kevin Moyer. Venture 7 served as the exclusive advisor to the sellers in the transaction. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.   Energy Smart Building represents the very best of traditional, honest New England craftsmanship. Their Vermont Frames division is one of the very few (and the largest) hand-cut timber frame makers in the US. The timber frames they cut fit together precisely using true mortise and tenon joinery and will stand for hundreds of years. They have produced more than 3,000 buildings including family homes, single floor retirement homes, barns for workshops or studios, and large commercial buildings.