Current News

by Representative Casey J. Toof What’s the worst thing to do when you are stuck in a hole? Continuing to dig. And what is the worst thing to do in an affordability crisis? Make things less affordable. Yet, in the Vermont Legislature, this common sense is foreign to many of our elected officials. With a population of about 645,000 total Vermonters, the state’s Human Services budget serves one-third of that. And with just above 80,000 students statewide, the state’s Education Fund serves our dwindling student population. Yet this year, the state’s Education Fund—serving just over 80,000 and dropping—will outspend the Human Services budget, which serves about 200,000.

Vermont Business Magazine Following major flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Beryl on July 10th, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is launching a new Flood Loss and Damage Survey to understand the impact on Vermont farms. Last week’s flooding comes on the heels of severe weather last season that caused significant damage and economic harm to farms and food producers across the state. Many of these Vermonters, still not fully recovered from last year’s crisis, are once again facing uncertainty and trauma. VAAFM in coordination with the Vermont Agricultural Recovery Task Force is asking flood-impacted agricultural producers to participate in the 2024 Flood Loss and Damage Survey.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont took home 34 individual ribbons at the American Cheese Society‘s (ACS’s) National Judging and Competition event this year, including 10 first place positions, 14 second place positions, and 10 third place positions.  Winners were announced last week at the American Cheese Society‘s annual conference, held in Buffalo, New York. The competition is the most prominent competition of its kind in North America. Judges assess cheese on technical and aesthetic qualities in order to showcase talent, leadership, and excellence in cheesemaking.  

Vermont Business Magazine Crews from multiple agencies spent the day Friday searching for Roberta Martin, 82, of Enosburgh. Members of the Vermont State Police, including the Crime Scene Search Team, executed a search warrant Friday morning at a house and property adjacent to Ms. Martin’s home on Butternut Hollow Road. As of 11:10 p.m., she has not been located. Detectives, meanwhile, continue to conduct interviews and search for evidence. The Victim Services Unit is providing support to Ms. Martin’s family. The available information continues to indicate that her disappearance is suspicious.

Vermont Business Magazine Tickets are on sale for the Green Mountain Aviation Field Days September 14-15 at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. The two-day festival will inspire and educate aviation enthusiasts of all ages from 10 am to 5 pm by celebrating the “Past, Present and Future of Aviation.” Presented by the Vermont Aviators Association, GMA Field Days will showcase the region’s rich aviation history and its contributions to the community, with a significant emphasis on education and STEM-related industries. Event festivities will focus on breaking down barriers for youth to get involved in aviation, learn about career opportunities, and celebrate what aviation means to Burlington and the State of Vermont. 

Vermont Business Magazine Lawmakers override Scott’s veto of property tax ‘yield bill,’ five others; Vermont’s unemployment rate held at 2.1 percent in May; Vermont ski areas boasted over 4 million skier visits despite weird weather; Maple syrup production rebounds to 3.1 million gallons; Treasurer announces $3.7M in savings as ratings hold strong; NEFCU and VSECU announce EastRise Credit Union as new name and brand; Homelessness in Vermont increases; Vermont Senators sue the governor over Ed Secretary appointment; AG announces $3.1 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson over talc; and more.

Vermont Captive Insurance Association The VCIA Conference will be held August 11-14 in Burlington. It is designed to provide value to those new to captive insurance AND advanced professionals in the field. Close to 900 captive insurance colleagues will participate in #VCIA2024.

Vermont Business Magazine Shelburne Museum presents the work of renowned British artist Paul Scott in the exhibition Confected, Borrowed & Blue: Transferware by Paul Scott that includes provocative reinterpretations of 19th-century transferware from Shelburne Museum’s permanent collection along with a work commissioned for the exhibition.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has requested that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issue a disaster designation for the State of Vermont in response to severe July flooding. A Secretarial Disaster Designation would open the availability of financial assistance, including low-interest USDA Farm Service Agency emergency loans for eligible producers in the approved counties.

by Joan Goldstein I can’t believe we are back here again. After a year of dedication and hard work to get your establishments back open, many of you are dealing with the aftermath of another wave of water. Please know we are thinking of you. After successfully implementing the $20 million Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) following last July’s flood, we are gearing up to distribute another $5 million in BEGAP grants allocated by the legislature. We will update you on that effort when plans are finalized. In the meantime, if you have suffered damage to your business or your home, please take a few minutes to alert Vermont 211. There are online forms for Business Damage and Residential Damage. 

Vermont State Police Police have arrested a suspect following a shooting in Richmond that left a woman with non-life-threatening injuries Friday, July 19, 2024. Dylan Davis, 23, of Richmond was arrested at about 2:15 p.m. following a standoff that had lasted several hours at the home on Meadow Lane where the shooting occurred. He is facing charges of aggravated domestic assault with a deadly weapon, domestic assault and reckless endangerment. The victim is a 60-year-old woman who is a relative of Davis. She was transported to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington for treatment. The Vermont State Police does not release the names of victims of domestic violence.

Agency of Commerce and Community Development FEMA is in Vermont this week conducting assessments to determine if Vermont qualifies for a Public Assistance Disaster Declaration in the following counties: Addison; Orleans; Washington; Caledonia; Chittenden; Lamoille; Orange; Essex; Those public disaster assessments are expected to be completed by Monday, July 22. After the public disaster assessments are done, FEMA will assess personal property damage in Washington and Caledonia Counties to determine if Vermont qualifies for an Individual Assistance Disaster Declaration. Other counties can be added if enough damage is reported. See below to learn how to report your damage to 211.