Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is reminding hunters of a regulation designed to help keep Vermont deer healthy by banning the use of any deer lure containing deer urine or other deer bodily fluids. The infectious agent of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal disease of deer, is a mutant protein or “prion” that can be passed in urine.  Prions can bind to soils and remain infectious for many years.  Nearly all urine-based lures are produced in captive deer facilities, where CWD is most likely to occur.  There is no accepted way to test live animals, and infected animals can spread CWD for years before showing any symptoms. No amount of testing or special certification program can eliminate the risk of spreading CWD through urine lures.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) has finalized the long-range management plan for the Worcester Range Management Unit (WRMU), 18,772-acres of state-owned land in central Vermont. This unit includes popular landmarks such as Mt. Hunger, Elmore State Park, Perry Hill Trails, Stowe Pinnacle, Middlesex Notch Wildlife Management Area, and Brownsville Forest. The WRMU plan establishes the management direction for these lands, based on expert assessments by ANR and extensive public feedback. Community engagement was strong, with over 1,350 comments received during public scoping and the draft plan’s comment period. This highlights widespread interest in the future stewardship of this ecologically significant and beloved landscape.

Vermont Business Magazine The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced LaunchVT as one of forty-four Stage Two winners for the 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC). LaunchVT will receive a $150,000 cash prize for its work as a Growth Accelerator Partnership in supporting the launch, growth, and scale of STEM/R&D-focused small businesses in sustainability and biotechnology. The 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition catalyzes strategic innovation ecosystem building across the country. Over the last decade, SBA has awarded 566 in prizes totaling over $33 million to winners throughout the U.S. and U.S. territories.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Hold Corporate Criminals Accountable Act, bipartisan legislation to increase public transparency and accountability by allowing courts to consider the public interest in approving corporate criminal settlement agreements that don’t involve a conviction. The bipartisan bill will also provide more prosecutorial tools to combat corporate criminal actors by extending statutes of limitations and requiring more cooperation by wrongdoers in order to receive a reduction in punishment. In recent years, the country has seen a rise in deferred and non-prosecution agreements—which allow corporations to resolve criminal liability without a conviction in exchange for fines or other smaller punishments. Yet, the FBI estimates the annual cost of corporate crime —$300 billion—is 20 times greater than the cost of street crime.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Education announced the availability of federal child nutrition programs for the 2024-2025 school year. All public schools in Vermont, and many independent schools, participate in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Because of Vermont’s universal meals law, these schools can offer free meals through either the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), or Provision 2. This year, many more locations qualify to offer free after school snacks and meals through area-eligibility. Vermont’s participation in the Medicaid direct certification demonstration project has improved data sharing, and a recent federal rule change makes it easier for schools to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced Wanda Minoli will become Commissioner of the Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS), effective Monday, October 14, 2024. Minoli is currently the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Previously, she managed the State’s School Construction Program for over a decade. And for more than 20 years she worked inside BGS, rising to deputy commissioner before being promoted to DMV by Governor Scott in 2018. Minoli replaces Jennifer Fitch who is stepping down as commissioner at the end of next week. 

Public Assets Institute Newly released analyses from Public Assets Institute outline factors that contributed to the FY25 education tax spike. New analyses from Public Assets Institute have revealed that some districts and taxpayers have been facing disproportionately higher bills prior to FY25. “Low- and moderate-income Vermonters can see big tax jumps even when spending doesn’t change because of income and property value ‘cliffs’ that are built into the system,” said Stephanie Yu, President and Executive Director of the Public Assets Institute.

Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its second annual "Heart of The Shires Luncheon," a celebration of nonprofits, community leaders, and social sector organizations. This year’s event will be held at Hildene’s newly constructed Lincoln Hall, on Wednesday, November 6th from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., and will feature Matt Dunne, founder and executive director of the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), as the keynote speaker. This luncheon honors and recognizes the critical role that nonprofits, social enterprises, and community leaders play in strengthening the region’s civic fabric. Local leaders, organizations, and over 75 attendees from across the region will gather to reflect on community contributions and shared goals for the future.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced his office will distribute $1.7 million to the University of Vermont (UVM), the Vermont State Colleges (VSC), and the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) to support Vermonters seeking a higher education degree. The funds come from investment earnings on the state’s Higher Education Trust Fund, which is managed by the Treasurer’s Office and provides grants for Vermonters pursuing a degree from local colleges and universities. 

Vermont Business Magazine With the first production of the 2024-25 theatre/dance season—Spirits to Enforce—set to open this week, the University of Vermont's School of the Arts, located within the College of Arts and Sciences, is announcing a $1 million gift to launch much-needed upgrades to the Royall Tyler Theatre. The anonymous donation comes from a UVM Class of 1983 alum who is committed to seeing the arts thrive at the university and has made past gifts to help fund the renovation of Cohen Hall and the redesign of the Colburn Gallery. “We are so grateful to the donor for their incredible support of the arts in the College,” said William Falls, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) reminds Vermonters impacted by the July 9-11, 2024, flood that the federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits application deadline is October 25, 2024, for those living or working in eligible counties. The Biden Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) approved Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Lamoille, Orleans, and Washington counties as federal disaster areas. Under this declaration, individuals living, working, or scheduled to work in these counties may be eligible for DUA. This includes independent contractors, self-employed individuals, and agricultural workers. 

Vermont Business Magazine Comcast has awarded a $20,000 grant to support MaturityWorks, a training program run by The WorkPlace in partnership with the State of Vermont’s Mature Worker Program. The grant helps address digital literacy barriers for low-income Vermonters, age 55 and older, who are looking to expand their job skills and re-enter the workforce. The WorkPlace is a nonprofit organization that coordinates regional and state-wide workforce development programs to prepare people for careers while strengthening the workforce. The funding from Comcast provides MaturityWorks participants with technology, including laptops, to access virtual learning and career readiness training, such as how to use email, write a resume with software tools, complete online applications and interview virtually.