Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Six state/federal Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) across Vermont will be changing their hours and days of operation. As of September 15, 2024, four DRCs will no longer be open on Sundays. The hours of operation from Monday to Saturday have been shortened to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) recently announced awards of approximately $7.19 million in grants to municipalities for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvement projects. The combination of construction projects and planning grants will benefit cities and towns statewide with improved transportation connectivity and safety, tangible economic benefits, and additional transportation options for commuters, visitors to the state, and recreational users. Vermont continues to prioritize making communities and streets more usable for all modes of transportation. In downtowns and village centers especially, municipalities are responding to the need for better walking and bicycling facilities. 

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Hunting in Vermont continues to be a safe recreational pursuit and hunters can help keep it that way by choosing to wear hunter orange. Also, Vermont’s bear hunting season started September 1, and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department wants to remind hunters that the sale of bear paws and internal organs of bears is prohibited by a new law.

Vermont Business Magazine Registration is now open for the 2024 Vermont Conservation Conference scheduled for Monday, October 7 at Vermont State University in Randolph. Dr. Carolyn Finney, author of “Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors” will deliver the keynote presentation, which will feature a question-and-answer session with the audience. Finney’s talk will highlight ongoing efforts to make nature more inclusive and rebuild equitable relationships in the outdoor and conservation communities.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Congressional Delegation, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), and Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) today welcomed $51 million in funding for Vermont from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Emergency Relief (ER) Program to reimburse Vermont for the costs of repairs caused by flooding in July and December 2023. “Devastating flooding has destroyed roads and highways across Vermont, and federal assistance is necessary to offset the extensive costs the State has incurred. When disaster strikes, states and localities act quickly—no matter the cost. This federal funding is an important part of the long process of rebuilding more resiliently after flooding, and underscores the need for our colleagues in Congress to act quickly to pass critically important disaster aid funding,” said the lawmakers. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced today that on August 8, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging William McLaughlin, 45, from Bennington, VT, Samantha Danforth, 35, from Bennington, VT, and Keahnard Rowell, also known as “Stacks,” 34, from New York, NY, with conspiring to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl in 2022. The indictment also charges McLaughlin with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Rowell was arraigned on the charges on September 9, 2024, and entered a plea of not guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. Judge Doyle ordered that Rowell continue to be detained during the pendency of this matter. McLaughlin’s and Danforth’s arraignment dates are yet to be set. 

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) today introduced the bicameral 340B Pharmaceutical Access To Invest in Essential, Needed Treatments & Support (PATIENTS) Act, legislation that would protect the 340B drug pricing program and ensure patients—especially those in lower income and rural communities—can continue care with providers who utilize the program. For over 30 years, the 340B program has helped safety-net providers like rural community hospitals, critical access hospitals, and community health centers purchase outpatient prescription drugs at reduced prices from drug manufacturers at no cost to the taxpayer. Savings from the 340B program help providers expand critical services such as mental health care, substance-use disorder treatments, and emergency services, to support the most vulnerable patients in their community without the need for additional federal funding.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS) has announced that all communities that will have completed assessments through the Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) during the grant application period are now eligible to apply for implementation grants of up to $500,000. All 14 Vermont counties are represented in this group of over 200 municipalities, with over 500 facility energy assessments completed to date. BGS expects the grant process to be very competitive, the enabling legislation established priorities to be considered in awarding the grants. 

Vermont Business Magazine Ivans has announced their 2024 Ivans Spark Award recipients, honoring companies that are sparking digital connectivity by using technology to support the growth of their agency partners across the policy lifecycle – from marketing to quoting to servicing and renewals. Union Mutual has been selected as a Gold Level Award Recipient in Personal Lines.   

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police will hold its Annual Awards Ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in the House Chamber of the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier. Scheduled speakers include Gov. Phil Scott, Commissioner of Public Safety Jennifer Morrison and Col. Matthew T. Birmingham, director of the state police. They will honor members of the agency and others for acts of heroism and community service, and recognize 16 sworn members of the state police who have received promotions since last year’s awards ceremony was held in September 2023.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement: “On this day twenty-three years ago, an evil act of terrorism shook the foundation of our nation. But, even in our darkest hour, we joined together and emerged stronger – with our American values of freedom, prosperity, and justice guiding us."

Vermont Business Magazine VHV, a Winooski-based mechanical construction and service company serving Vermont and New Hampshire, celebrates its diamond jubilee this September. VHV has a storied history full of family legacy, entrepreneurial spirit, and an unrelenting thirst for innovation. Agency of Commerce Secretary Lindsay Kurrle is helping VHV (formerly Vermont Heating and Ventilating) celebrate 75 years in business. VHV is celebrating their 75th on Thursday, September 12 and Friday, September 13 at Jay Peak Resort. Thursday features a charity golf event and dinner to raise money for the Vermont Children’s Hospital. Friday is the apprenticeship graduation.