Current News

by Small Business Administration For more than 130 years, Trow & Holden has been crafting fine stoneworking tools in its iconic red brick building on the banks of the Winooski River in Barre. At the heart of this historic building site and business is the Akley family, whose legacy is evident in every aspect of the business. It is this legacy that earned Trow & Holden the distinction of being named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business of the Year for Vermont and New England.

VermontBiz Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Economic Development (DED) announced today the Brownfields Revitalization Fund – State Program is investing $1,970,970 to clean six properties in Newport, St. Johnsbury, West Rutland and Windsor. The Brownfields Revitalization Fund – Federal Program is investing an additional $798,777 to contribute to the cleanup of properties in Colchester and Burlington.

VermontBiz The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) has embarked on an initiative to sustainably manage the growing popularity of Hamilton Falls Natural Area (HMNA), a treasured gem in southern Vermont. FPR has engaged a civil engineering firm, Vanasse Hange Brustlin, Inc. (VHB), to develop a comprehensive master plan for the site, balancing preservation with recreational access.

VermontBiz U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) recently introduced the American Energy Efficiency Act, legislation that would boost the use of cutting-edge technologies to increase energy efficiency capabilities across America. Studies have estimated that a national energy efficiency resource standard (EERS) would save consumers over $56 billion on their energy bills and could create up to 400,000 jobs.  

by Small Business Administration Dr. Kerry Boyle became interested in natural health care while working at health food stores in the 1990s. She then pursued education at Bastyr University in Seattle, graduating with a Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 2003.

VermontBiz At its June meeting, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) approved $5.4 million in funding for two historic preservation projects and 15 conservation projects that will protect 1,942 acres in eight counties, and $23.4 million to support eight housing projects in five counties, and two statewide housing initiatives.

VermontBiz Vermont State University athletes at the Castleton, Johnson, and Lyndon campuses enjoy participating in NCAA sports. College athletics provide both immediate benefits—such as academic support, medical care, and access to coaching, facilities and equipment—and longer-term benefits, such as teamwork and leadership skills. One Castleton student is experiencing even more from the NCAA, as an intern beginning in the organization’s Indianapolis office and culminating at the its Women’s College Basketball Academy in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

VermontBiz The Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) have announced the release of the annual Vermont Inspiration Guide. The Vermont Chamber produces the Inspiration Guide in partnership with VDTM each year. Print copies of the 2024/25 edition are set to be distributed to key points of interest in Vermont’s drive market to amplify Vermont businesses and inspire travel. In 2023, visitor spending contributed $3.0 billion to Vermont’s economy.

VermontBiz In celebration of Independence Day, the 158th Fighter Wing will conduct a statewide flyover on July 4, scheduled between approximately 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. See attached graphic for more details.

VermontBiz Independence Day is just ahead, and your plans might include fireworks displays, a backyard picnic or a day at the beach. The American Red Cross offers these tips so you can enjoy a safe, fun holiday.

FIREWORKS SAFETY Nationwide nearly 20,000 fires a year are started by fireworks. In 2023, fireworks claimed eight lives and 9,700 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Sixty-six percent of these injuries occurred in July.

VermontBiz Nearly one year after the July 2023 floods, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-At-Large) sat down with community members and flood-impacted small businesses in Londonderry and Ludlow. Sen. Welch and Rep. Balint discussed the communities’ ongoing flood recovery efforts and work to improve flood resilience. The Vermont Delegation returned to businesses and areas in the West River Valley that they toured immediately following the flooding in Southern Vermont.  

by Charlotte Oliver Community News Service City employees in St. Albans broke up a homeless encampment throughout May, displacing several people in hopes of cutting down on crimes that officials tied directly to the camp. 

Tent City, as the encampment was known, sat tucked in a patch of woods behind the downtown train station and Food City grocery store for decades. But this spring neighbors and business owners complained to the city more than ever about theft and disturbances they linked to the camp, according to City Manager Dominic Cloud.  

“Their message was: We’ve had enough,” said Cloud.