Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) joined bill sponsors Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chair of the Senate Housing, Transportation and Community Development Subcommittee, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) in introducing the bicameral Homes Act, legislation that would reimagine housing in America, making a historic and long overdue investment in our housing supply. The bill would help build and preserve as many as 1.3 million homes in small towns, big cities, and rural communities, and help families everywhere find a quality, affordable place to call home. The Homes Act is sponsored in the Senate by Sens. Smith, Welch, and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and in the House of Representatives by Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and 34 members of the House.

U.S. Small Business Administration Everyone should APPLY APPLY APPLY for ALL resources ALL at the same time to make the DEADLINES WHICH ARE THE SAME using the SAME INFORMATION: State Grants, FEMA Grants, SBA low interest disaster loans. SBA.gov/disaster, and a direct link to the current Vermont Disaster Declaration, SBA-Disaster-VT-July11-2024. The comprehensive documents are attached but here are some essential points which may be more useful along with links and the social media graphics for messaging: The U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] is the largest provider of disaster recovery funds to repair, replace or relocate for homeowners, renters and businesses/nonprofits, even beyond FEMA.  We know, our name makes this confusing! Many individuals miss out on necessary funds.

Vermont Business Magazine The city of Winooski, Downtown Winooski, Winooski Working Communities Challenge and a network of business assistance providers will present an advising clinic on September 23. Free business support and guidance sessions for Winooski businesses will be provided by: Center for Women & Enterprise, Community Capital of VT, Opportunities Credit Union, SCORE Vermont, VEDA, Vermont Community Loan Fund, VT Small Business Development Center, and Vermont SBA. Drop-in business assistance will take place on September 23, 2024, at: Winooski V.F.W. Post #1767, 6 Maple Street, Winooski, Vermont, 1-3 pm.

Vermont Business Magazine Don't let language be a barrier to applying for FEMA assistance. Regardless of language or accessibility needs, FEMA is here in Vermont to help survivors recover from severe weather July 9-11, 2024. Non-English speakers can receive assistance in their language when applying for FEMA disaster aid. Additionally, assistive communication tools are available for those who require them.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced that he has proclaimed Thursday, September 19 “Noah Kahan’s Busyhead Project Day” in Vermont as critically acclaimed Vermont singer and songwriter, Noah Kahan, returns to Vermont to perform a sold-out benefit concert with all proceeds going to Vermont-based mental health organizations. The Busyhead Project, founded by Kahan, is a mental health initiative aimed at providing resources and information needed to end the stigma around mental health. Kahan has always been outspoken about his own mental health journey and struggles and incorporated his experiences into his music through his honest and vulnerable lyrics.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation’s Urban and Community Forestry Program (UCF) has announced over $430,000 in funding to support community tree planting and tree maintenance. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Applications will be accepted through January 10, 2025.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says hunters are looking forward to Vermont’s upcoming October 1- November 15 and December 2-15 archery deer hunting season. A hunter may take up to four deer in Vermont’s two-part archery season if they do not shoot any deer in the other deer seasons.  The purchase of an archery deer license and tag is required for each deer.  No more than one of the deer taken during archery season may be a legal buck if no buck is taken in the other deer seasons.  Antlerless deer hunting is allowed during archery season statewide this year.  

Senator Bernie Sanders In a few weeks’ time, we will mark the one-year anniversary of the war in the Middle East. It has been almost one year since Hamas’ horrific terrorist rampage on October 7th, which killed 1,200 innocent Israelis and took hundreds of hostages, including Americans. And, as I have said many times, Israel had an absolute right to respond to the Hamas attack. But, tragically, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s extremist government has not simply waged war against Hamas. It has waged all-out war against the Palestinian people. Israel has conducted this war with little regard for innocent civilians, bombing indiscriminately and severely restricting the humanitarian relief operation. After nearly one year of this carnage, out of a population of some 2.2 million, more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 95,000 injured – 60 percent of whom are women, children, or elderly people.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced, on a bipartisan basis, Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vermont)’s bill, H.R. 5623, the Addressing Addiction After Disasters (AAAD) Act. The bill is co-lead by Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) and Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01). For the last two summers, Vermont was hit by devastating flooding and mudslides. While the physical damage is clear, disaster-stricken communities need resources to cope with the mental and emotional damage they endure. 

Vermont Business Magazine As September marks Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Howard Center is dedicated to shedding light on this critical issue and providing vital resources for the community. Suicide is an indiscriminate crisis, affecting people from all walks of life. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, there is help and hope available. There are individuals who genuinely care who are available to provide support, and a wealth of resources designed to guide individuals through these challenging times.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Parks, Recreation and Waterfront (BPRW) celebrated the reopening of Champlain Street Park. Outreach and planning for the park overhaul began nearly 5 years ago, but was initially delayed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and further delayed by rising costs from inflation. By partnering with donors and community partners, construction was completed in July of 2024. In addition to funds allocated in the City’s capital plan, the project was made possible thanks to numerous generous grants and donations. These included a $50,000 award from T-Mobile's Hometown Grant, a $25,000 donation from the King Street Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation (KSNRC), and donated landscaping and site furnishings from the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO).  

The Vermont State Police is investigating the death of Gary L. Partridge, 54, of Bennington, Vermont, and Chicopee, Massachusetts, who had been incarcerated at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield. The Department of Corrections notified the Vermont State Police at about 11:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, that Partridge, who had been in poor physical health, was transported to Springfield Hospital at about 10 p.m. due to his medical condition and was pronounced dead at 10:53 p.m. An autopsy will be performed at the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington to determine the cause and manner of death.