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VermontBiz by Joyce Marcel This story comes in two parts. Ann Clark Ltd. of Rutland is a stone-solid, lean manufacturing business wrapped up in a cheerfully decorated cookie made to look like a cute girl with an upturned nose and a ponytail. So before the cookie crumbles, let’s get into it.

Ann Clark Ltd. makes cookie cutters. Yes, this Rutland company, which employs 32 people and has revenue between $10 million and $15 million a year, dominates the cookie cutter market in North America. It’s only competition globally — and competition is rapid as well as fierce — is China.

Cookie cutters? In Rutland? Who knew?

Vermont Business Magazine It was June 30, 2004 when 35 representatives of software businesses gathered at a Burlington hotel to discuss how to grow and support the region’s emerging software development business sector. The largest company represented was Dealer.com, which at that time had 35 employees. The representatives attending the event, organized by the late Bruce Seifer, who was the assistant director of Burlington’s Community and Economic Development Office, decided to create a new business association. 

VermontBiz AARP announced five organizations throughout Vermont will receive 2024 Community Challenge grants – part of AARP’s largest investment in communities to date with $3.8 million awarded among 343 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults ages 50 and older.

Vermont Business Magazine Smugglers’ Notch Distillery will mark the official grand opening of its newest Tasting Room and Retail Shop at the Taft Corners Shopping Center in Williston, Vt. on Tuesday, July 2nd in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Co-founder Jeremy Elliott will be joined by the State of Vermont’s Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Lindsay Kurrle; Commissioner of Economic Development, Joan Goldstein; and Deputy Commissioner of the Dept of Liquor Control, Andrew Collier, with other state and local officials and dignitaries, Williston retail business and restaurant owners, and community members. 

VermontBiz On June 28, Governor Scott allowed H.55, An act relating to miscellaneous unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, and employment practices amendments and to establishing the Vermont Baby Bond Trust, to become law without his signature and sent a letter to the General Assembly.

VermontBiz Across a range of ceremonies and celebrations, Howard Center schools and programs commemorated another successful academic year, celebrating the achievements of students and the dedicated commitment of educators and families.

"As this academic year ends, we applaud our students and appreciate our educators, staff, and families for their dedication," said Beth Holden, Howard Center’s chief client services officer. “It fills us with pride to see our students prepare for their next steps."

The celebrations showcased the community's collective progress and milestones, featuring graduation ceremonies, student recognitions, and special events.

VermontBiz The Vermont Congressional Delegation, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Representative Becca Balint (VT-At-Large), today welcomed $25 million in federal funding for the Town of Killington, announced this week by the Biden-Harris Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program. 

VermontBiz Today, communities in Lamoille County celebrated the official completion and grand opening of the Lamoille Community House with a ribbon cutting program and facility tours. Lamoille Housing Partnership (LHP) and Lamoille Community House (LCH) partnered to fill a critical need and establish Lamoille County’s first and only year-round operating shelter for adults experiencing homelessness.

VermontBiz Springfield Regional Development Corporation (SRDC) has announced the approval of $155,000 in financing for two area companies through the Springfield Area CARES Act Revolving Loan Fund and Springfield Area Revolving Loan Fund.  Both loan funds utilize grants from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to assist businesses in Southern Windsor County.

VermontBiz The Attorney General’s Office announced that Todd Merrow, 48, of Bennington, Vermont, was sentenced today in Vermont Superior Court, Bennington Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of home improvement fraud where the loss was over $1,000.

The Court, Judge Kerry Ann McDonald-Cady presiding, sentenced the defendant, after a contested sentencing, to 14 to 15 days of pre-approved furlough to be performed through the Department of Corrections’ work crew program, along with a signed restitution judgment order for the victim’s loss.

Vermont Business Magazine “Brewing up adventure” has long been the motto for Whetstone Beer Co., and that spirit of adventure continues with Whetstone Beer’s recent acquisition by North Chair Brewing, LLC. The new ownership is excited to continue the Pints for Parks project, a partnership benefiting Vermont State Parks through Vermont Parks Forever, the foundation for Vermont State Parks. Pints for Parks kicks off the 100th Anniversary of Vermont State Parks at Camp Plymouth State Park on June 29th and 30th where a new release will be available, the Golden Hour Helles Lager, both on draught and in special edition State Parks 100th Anniversary label cans. 

VermontBiz The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Manchester Business Association (MBA) hosted their annual golf tournament, the B2B Golf Classic, on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at The Golf Club at Equinox in Manchester, Vermont.

Under sunny skies, 17 teams, consisting of over 60 business and nonprofit leaders, enjoyed a shotgun start at 12:30 pm, teeing off for a day filled with golf, networking, and breathtaking views of Manchester and the Mountains.