Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), today released the following statement in support of the 50,000 port workers in the International Longshoreman’s Association who went on strike this week across the country: I stand in strong solidarity with the 50,000 port workers in the International Longshoreman’s Association who went out on strike this week from Maine to Texas against the outrageous corporate greed that is taking place in the shipping industry. While port workers put their lives on the line during the horrendous pandemic to keep the economy going, ocean carriers in the shipping industry saw their profits skyrocket by as much as 800 percent and have made a record-breaking $400 billion in profits since 2020.

Vermont Business Magazine On an antique desk that belonged to Vermont Senator Justin Morrill, the father of the land-grant university system, representatives from the University of Vermont on Thursday signed a 30-year lease of approximately 400 acres of farmland for long-term agricultural research use in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The conserved dairy farm – comprising nearly 600 acres in total along Route 7 in Charlotte – was acquired in 2021 by Will Raap, founder of Gardener’s Supply in Burlington’s Intervale. Raap renamed the property Earthkeep Farmcommon. After being on the market for over a year following Raap’s passing, the property was purchased this summer by Benjamin Dobson and Kaspar Meier. UVM will sublease the land to the USDA ARS for research purposes, with initial studies focusing on forage production and ruminants.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director for Rural Development (RD), Sarah Waring, announced today that the agency is investing $2,698,024 million in grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to support six small businesses in Vermont and New Hampshire. The funding is made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis, and is part of a larger initiative that will award $104 million in loans and grants to more than 300 clean energy projects in 34 states. 

Vermont Business Magazine US Senators Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) led Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) in introducing the High Court Gift Ban Act, legislation that would ban Supreme Court Justices from receiving gifts valued at over $50 and help strengthen ethical standards of the Supreme Court. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08) introduced companion legislation in the House. Under current law, Supreme Court justices are not held to the same restrictions on accepting gifts that apply to Members of Congress, federal judges, and other federal officials. Recent analysis by Fix the Court estimates that in the last two decades, Supreme Court justices have accepted hundreds of gifts valued at nearly $5 million.  

Vermont Business Magazine The annual state-wide Federal Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest is underway in Vermont.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invites students from pre-K to 12th grade to create designs featuring native ducks, swans, or geese in their natural habitats.  Designs are judged in four age categories, with awards for first, second, and third places and honorable mentions.  Entries must be received by March 15th, 2025. Attached is a press release, entry form and a list of eligible species. The Vermont Best of Show entry will compete with contest winners from other states in a national competition in Washington D.C.  The first-place national winning design is used to create the Federal Junior Duck Stamp.  Proceeds from the sale of Junior Duck Stamps support conservation education by providing awards and scholarships for students, teachers, and schools.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.19 per gallon, up 1 cent per gallon from last week's $3.18/g. The lowest price in the state is $2.89/g in Bennington while the highest was $3.44/g. The national average price of gasoline is down 5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.17/g today. The national average is down 12 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 59 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center We've been talking about it for months and now is the time to celebrate ALL THINGS MANUFACTURING! Governor Phil Scott has proclaimed October 2024 Manufacturing Month in Vermont. The entire month of October has become part of a growing national MFG Day/Month initiative. Vermont Governor Phil Scott has proclaimed October 2024 as Manufacturing Month in Vermont. MFG Day is Friday, October 4.

Vermont Business Magazine If you have sustained damage or losses caused by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides between July 29-31, 2024, FEMA may be able to help you. You may be eligible for financial assistance for displacement, serious needs, temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured disaster-related expenses. Please note, the deadline to apply for Individual Assistance is November 25, 2024.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Law and Graduate School has announced the recipients of the 2024 Alumni Awards, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the legal field and dedication to community service. The awards were presented during the school’s Reunion Weekend ceremony on Saturday, June 29, 2024. These awards celebrate the achievements of alumni and faculty who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence, social justice and service, reflecting the core values of Vermont Law and Graduate School.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) invites the public to comment on three tactical basin plans in the Connecticut River watersheds of the White, Deerfield, and Passumpsic Rivers. DEC completed the plans in collaboration with regional planners, local nonprofits, town officials, and public stakeholders. These plans have been developed to protect and restore the rivers, lakes, and wetlands in these watersheds.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) is pleased to announce Chris Rimmer, a renowned wildlife conservationist and ornithologist, as the recipient of this year's Sally Laughlin Award for his legacy of endangered species conservation. Rimmer will be honored at the Dead Creek Wildlife Day on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at noon. Dead Creek Day is a day-long public festival held at the Wildlife Management Area in Addison by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

Drive Electric Vermont As of July 2024, there are 15,144 plug-in electric vehicles registered in Vermont. Want to find out what other EV registration trends we’re seeing across Vermont? We’ve got the stats for you – including how many electric school buses are on the road, a breakdown of the top-selling models, registrations by county, and more.