Current News

Vermont Business Magazine This week, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, introduced the Rural Opportunities and Revitalization Act, legislation to empower the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS) to carry out research, technical studies, and demonstrations to support business growth and development and job training in rural communities. This bill grants USDA flexibility to test new methods for improving access to RBCS programs for small farms and rural businesses. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont officials and Vermonters continue to contend with flood debris removal from Vermont waterways. If left in place, these piles of rocks, sediment, and woody material may pose a risk to property and public safety. With rain in the forecast this weekend, it’s important to check drainage around your home. To make sure flood debris removal around your home is not delayed, the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are sharing additional guidelines.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims fell slightly last week to their lowest levels since last year. For the week ending July 27, 2024, new claims were 232, which is typical of summer lows. Meanwhile, unemployment claims and hiring have stalled nationally, and the stock market has reeled as the Federal Reserve Bank decided not to lower interest rates this week. For the week, initial claims were down 6 for the week and down 170 from this time last year. Meanwhile, the state unemployment rate remains near historic low levels as employment and the labor force have increased (2.1 percent in June 2024). 

The Vermont Department of Tourism is staying abreast of severe weather impacts, with a specific focus on whether and how it might impact people’s plans to come to – or travel around -- our state. We have compiled a list of resources for visitors and industry partners alike, dedicated to providing trail, swimming, and road conditions updates/resources. Beyond specific actions related to recent severe weather, VDTM’s summer advertising campaign is in full swing right now and we have not pumped the brakes in any way. In fact, we have advertised more than ever before in these past two years due to additional federal funds made available to us.

Vermont Business Magazine The State today submitted a request for a Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to determine whether the state qualifies for a federal major disaster declaration for flooding and resulting damage on July 30 and July 31, 2024. The request asks for Public Assistance (PA) assessments in Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties and Individual Assistance (IA) assessments in Caledonia and Essex counties for damaged caused by the storms. A very early assessment by the state has already discovered damage to public infrastructure resulting from the storm exceeding $6 million. To qualify for a major PA disaster declaration, FEMA must verify at least $1.183 million in response and public infrastructure recovery costs. Individual counties must also show damages of $4.60 per capita to qualify.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on August 1, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a single-count indictment charging a Chinese woman, alleging she attempted to smuggle eastern box turtles, a protected wildlife species, from the United States to Canada for the illegal global pet trade. Wan Yee Ng, 41, of Hong Kong, is charged with attempting to export merchandise contrary to law. Her arraignment has not yet been scheduled.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) is proud to announce that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Vermont’s Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which describes Vermont's plans to use $229 million allocated to the state. This funding is key to finishing the work of ensuring every Vermonter has access to high speed and reliable broadband. The Initial Proposal outlines the process Vermont will use to select the Internet Service Providers who will receive BEAD money to build out unserved and underserved addresses and details the requirements these providers must meet to be eligible for funding. With this approval, Vermont can move from the planning phase to the action phase. It enables the state to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) is developing the 2026-2027 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP), which guides the Agency in deploying Vermont’s largest pool of federal affordable housing resources. VHFA is seeking public input on recommendations that the Agency will consider for this update. To facilitate input, VHFA has begun hosting in-person QAP public meetings around the state starting in July and continuing in August, as well as a virtual public comment meeting.

Vermont Business Magazine In response to multiple recent flooding events, Vermont Public and the Vermont Community Foundation are joining forces to raise money for the VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund beginning today and running through August 16. Donations to the fund will help communities where torrents of water destroyed homes, cratered roads, and filled farm fields and businesses with mud and debris. The two-week campaign will include on-air promotions on Vermont Public urging people to give to the VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation, which was created after catastrophic flooding in July of 2023. The fund is now being reinvigorated to respond to the fresh disasters that took place in July 2024, triggering a new wave of damage and heartbreak.

Vermont Agency of Transportation On Wednesday at approximately 8:23 a.m., a commercial dump truck owned by SD Ireland and operated by Savion Thibou, 19, of Burlington, VT, struck a tire that was reported to have been left from a tractor trailer unit in the right-hand lane of I-89 South near MM 65.2 in Waterbury. The dump truck lost control, rolled over, lost its load of stone, and entrapped the driver in the truck. After a lengthy extrication, the driver was transported to UVM Medical Center in Burlington with significant injuries. DMV inspectors and other emergency crews remain on the scene to investigate and recover the wreckage of the crash. 

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company, today reported its financial results for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2024. Revenues were $377.2 million for the quarter, up $87.5 million, or up 30.2%, from the same period in 2023. Solid waste pricing for the quarter was up 5.7% from the same period in 2023, driven by 6.2% collection price growth and 4.8% disposal price growth. Net income was $7.0 million for the quarter, up $1.5 million, or up 27.6%, from the same period in 2023.

Agency of Commerce and Community Development We are requesting that victims of both of the July flooding events complete the Department of Economic Development's Flood Damage Survey for Businesses. Survey data will be used to help us advocate for future relief and recovery programs for businesses and nonprofit organizations. The removal of debris is essential to minimize future damage, particularly with more rain in the forecast. This includes wood, construction materials, rocks, and sediment.