Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Housing and Community Development and the Natural Resources Board have released the Act 250 Interim Exemption Map to help developers and investors create and improve housing that is more affordable. This new interactive map is an exceptional planning tool and shows potential areas where housing may be built today without triggering Act 250 review. The interim Act 250 exemptions displayed on the Act 250 Interim Exemption Map will be in place until 2027 when the larger Act 181 reform begins to be implemented. Act 250, Vermont's landmark land use and development law, will be modernized over the next five years as part of Act 181, which passed during the 2023/2024 legislative session. Before Act 181 takes full effect in 2027, the public will have opportunities to engage and shape its implementation.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today celebrated major investments by the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs to support public safety and rehabilitation community projects in Vermont, totaling over $3.1 million. The announcements include funding from the Department of Justice’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which provides support for initiatives that improve the criminal justice system, prevent young adults from offending, and help victims of crime. Funding will support projects across the state, including a grant of $1.9 million to the Vermont Department of Public Safety, $979,000 to Youth Services to enhance restorative interventions, and $300,000 to the City of Burlington.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor Johan Green, 53, of Williamstown, Vermont, was arraigned on 11 counts of felony Medicaid Fraud. The charges brought against Mr. Green are the result of an investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU), which found that Mr. Green had falsely billed Medicaid for services that he did not provide, defrauding Vermont Medicaid of over $70,000 in public health care funds.

Vermont Business Magazine It is with great pleasure to introduce the 2024 Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees. With over 20 years of history and over 100 inductees, the Ag Hall of Fame is an honored tradition among Vermont farmers and growers, service providers, and dedicated employees. Over the last few years the categories have been expanded to include an Emerging Leader under the age of 40, an Ag Innovator and up to three inductees in the Lifetime Achievement category. The thoughtfulness of each nomination makes for competitive judging each year. The 2024 inductees will be celebrated during the Champlain Valley Fair. The ceremony and lunch for the Ag Hall of Fame will be held on Wednesday, 8/28 @ 12PM in the beer tent.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.39 per gallon, down 1 cent per gallon from last week, down 7 cents/g from last month and down 41 cents/g from last year. The lowest priced county in Vermont, according to AAA is Rutland at $3.30, while the highest is $3.46/g in Orleans County. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.38/g today.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Killington Resort, the largest mountain resort in Eastern North America, today announced Killington Resort & Pico Mountain are being sold from POWDR "to a passionate group of local passholders." In a statement, the sale was described as a landmark purchase that represents a commitment to keeping Killington and Pico in the hands of those who know and love it, with plans to increase capital investment while preserving the mountains’ unique character and community. The lead investors of the new Great Gulf group are Phill Gross and Michael Ferri.  Financial terms were not released. Killington and Pico will remain on the Ikon Pass and there will be no changes to the management or front-line teams, ensuring continuity and stability in our operations. Long-serving President Mike Solimano will continue to lead the local operation.

Vermont Business Magazine When natural disasters occur, it's common for some people to try and exploit the situation by pretending to be official disaster aid workers. FEMA encourages survivors to be aware of fraud and scams. FEMA also encourages survivors to report any suspicious activity or potential fraud from scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals. Survivors should also be aware that this kind of situation doesn’t happen only at the beginning of the response to the disaster when people might be more vulnerable. It can happen any time. It’s important to know that FEMA does not endorse any specific commercial businesses, products or services.

Vermont Business Magazine A rare native wild cat—the Canada lynx—has been confirmed in Vermont for the first time since 2018 from video recorded on August 17 in Rutland County, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. “Canada lynx are endangered in Vermont and threatened nationally,” said Brehan Furfey, wildlife biologist and furbearer project leader with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. “That makes any verifiable lynx sighting in our state important.  This newest sighting is especially exciting because the cat was spotted in Rutland County, far south of most confirmed lynx reports in Vermont.” Vermont is on the southernmost edge of the Canada lynx’s range. Most confirmed sightings are from the Northeast Kingdom, which supports the best climate, habitat and food sources for lynx in the state.

Vermont Business Magazine Stowe Electric Department (SED) has renewed its participation as a host institution in the US Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship (CEIF) program. Fellows receive hands-on experience supporting projects that the host institutions identify as critical to advancing clean energy solutions that decarbonize the power system, electrify transportation and industry, and make the US power system more resilient, equitable, and inclusive. Fellows can spend up to two years participating in the program, which is funded in part by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

Vermont Business Magazine In the first round of funding for the Leahy Memphremagog Clean Water Program, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) has awarded a total of $886,323 to seven organizations engaged in aquatic habitat improvement work in the Memphremagog watershed.  The 12 proposals funded include both capacity building and project implementation. The new program is funded by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) and aims to improve Lake Memphremagog’s aquatic habitats and increase capacity among VHCB partner organizations engaged in work that protects the watershed. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says bear hunting season starts in September and reminds hunters about the bear hunting regulations. Vermont has two bear hunting seasons.  The early season, which requires a special bear tag, starts September 1, and continues through November 15 with one exception.  Nonresident hunters using dogs cannot start bear hunting until September 15.  The late bear season begins November 16 and continues through November 24.  A hunter may only take one bear during the year. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), the statewide, nonprofit business association with a mission to leverage the power of business for positive social and environmental impact, has announced the 2024 recipients for three awards honoring Vermont leaders in social equity, environmental responsibility, and sustainable economic development. The date and location for the 23rd Annual VBSR Awards Ceremony and Dinner have been set for Thursday, October 10, 5-8:30 p.m., at The Barn at Smugglers’ Notch, Jeffersonville. VBSR will honor: Donna Carpenter, Owner & Chair, Burton with the VBSR Terry Ehrich Award for Lifetime Achievement; American Meadows with the VBSR Innovation and Inspiration Award – Large Organization; Vermont Professionals of Color Network with the VBSR Innovation and Inspiration Award – Small Organization; and Molly Lawrence, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, King Arthur Baking Company with the VBSR Young Changemaker Award.