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Vermont Business Magazine Rick Bibens has agreed to sell Bibens Ace Hardware, with seven locations in Vermont in Springfield, Colchester, South Burlington, Burlington, Essex, Brattleboro, and Woodstock, to the Aubuchon Company, the oldest and largest group of family-owned hardware stores in America. The stores will continue to operate as “Bibens Ace Hardware,” “Brown & Roberts” in Brattleboro, and “Woodstock Home & Hardware” in Woodstock. After closing in April, the Aubuchon Company will operate 119 stores in 9 states. Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed. 

Vermont Business Magazine Alice Marie Ann Boutin, 98, died on Friday, April 12, 2024, under the loving care of her two daughters, Suzanne Boutin and Elizabeth McGrath DNP, and her husband, John McGrath, in Rochester, NH, where she lived the remaining three years of life. Alice's family was with her the week before she died. Alice was born in 1925, the daughter of William and Celanaire (Blais) Boucher of Laconia, NH where she grew up in a strong and loving family. There she learned about unconditional love, the foundation of her being throughout her life. The ninth of ten children, she was educated at École du Sacré-Cœur and Laconia High School. She met Bernard (Bernie) while he was a student at Saint Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont. They married soon after his graduation in April of 1945. What followed was a 67-year love affair producing eleven children. Her family was her greatest joy. When did she find the time for all her volunteer work as a Cub Scout leader, costume maker for stunt night at Rice Memorial HS, and all those hours dedicated to the craft committees at Sacred Heart (Laconia), St Charles (Meredith), and St Joseph's (Belmont, where she made rosaries).

VermontBiz The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) is seeking grant applications for infrastructure projects that improve access and safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. In 2023, the Agency awarded more than $4.4 million for bicycle and pedestrian construction and planning projects throughout the state.

VermontBiz On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, Vermont Department of Labor’s Project WorkSAFE officials presented a safety and health achievement recognition award to Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) President and CEO Tom Dunn at VELCO’s annual safety meeting. 

The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) recognizes small businesses that operate exemplary safety and health programs. VELCO qualified for SHARP status by demonstrating a safety record significantly better than the industry average and working with Project WorkSAFE to maintain a robust safety and health program.

VermontBiz  Starting this summer, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC), with EPA oversight, will break ground on a remedial action for the cleanup of groundwater at the Commerce Street Plume Superfund Site in Williston, Vermont. The goal of this work is to cleanup groundwater to meet VTDEC drinking water requirements and prevent the spread of trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination. More information on this work can be found in VTDEC factsheet: Commerce Street Plume Superfund Site Groundwater Remedial Action Update.

VermontBiz  When two sustainable liquor brands  join forces to celebrate Earth Month, the results are not only delicious, they’re great for pollinators. Vermont-based Barr Hill and the Dominican passionfruit liqueur, Chinola have teamed up to generate buzz about a gin-based passionfruit elixir known as The Saturn. “Sipping with Purpose” means raising awareness about sustainable farming practices, innovative distilling methods and naturally — protecting bees. 

VermontBiz In a pivotal move to address the pressing needs of Vermont's agricultural community, 32 farmers across the state are set to receive vital micro-grants  this week through the all-volunteer Dig Deep VT initiative, focusing on providing much needed resources for farmers hardest hit by devastating weather the past eight months, including new no-interest loans from the Center for an Agriculture Economy.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Tax revenues finished ahead of expectations for March, though by a very slim margin with personal income taxes and refunds still to be fully accounted. Personal income finished the month well ahead of its projection after several up and down months and continues to be above its fiscal year target. The sales & use and rooms & meals consumption taxes also had strong months. The General Fund and Education Fund both exceeded their monthly consensus cash flow targets, corresponding to the annual fiscal 2024 consensus forecast update as adopted by the Emergency Board at its January 2024 meeting. Total combined funds still exceeded monthly targets even with the Transportation Fund’s underperformance. The State’s General Fund, Transportation Fund, and Education Fund receipts were a combined $246.1 million, exceeding the $245.1 million monthly consensus target by $1.0 million, or 0.4%. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) is seeking public comment on a proposed amendment of the Willoughby State Forest Long Range Management Plan. The amendment aims to allow for expanded equestrian use within Willoughby State Forest. Developed collaboratively with the Vermont Horse Council, the proposed amendment seeks to enhance equestrian opportunities while ensuring sustainable land management practices. It includes plans to open approximately 14.5 miles of existing roads and trails for equestrian use and establish a new overnight parking area in the southern portion of Willoughby State Forest.

Vermont Business Magazine Due to the recent increase in the number of cases of raccoon rabies reported in Vermont—including one case 10 km from the Québec border—the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs will be distributing vaccine baits in 17 municipalities in the Estrie and Montérégie regions from April 22 to 30, 2024. The aim of this vaccination operation is to limit the risk of raccoon rabies being reintroduced into Québec. It will immunize raccoons, skunks and foxes against raccoon rabies and help to protect human health. Department teams will cover an area of almost 660 km² to manually distribute some 46,200 vaccine baits. Wooded areas, stream banks, the periphery of agricultural fields and spaces near garbage cans will be particularly targeted.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s wildland fire season is now underway. The Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation’s (FPR) Wildland Fire Program is geared up to provide daily updates and seasonal tips to Vermonters to keep them informed about fire danger risks and to help them prevent wildfires in their community. Wildland fires, which include grass, brush, and forest fires, are a particular concern in the spring and fall; however, fires can occur anytime. Already this year, several wildland fires have been reported. These early fires serve as a reminder of the ongoing threat and the need for continued vigilance. Burning debris is the leading cause of wildfires, underscoring the critical importance of proactive measures. In 2023 there were 63 wildfires in Vermont; all were caused by human activity.

Vermont Business Magazine The Northern Forest Center is offering grants of $1,000 - $3,000 to volunteer-led organizations working to increase youth participation in outdoor recreation in Northern Forest Communities. Proposals are due May 1, 2024. Communities across the region are still responding to the pandemic-inspired increase in outdoor recreation. This grant program is intended to help volunteer-led organizations with that new demand, particularly for local youth, by reducing barriers to participation. LL Bean provided funding for the mini-grants program. Grants may be used for projects such as buying tools for trail maintenance, offsetting tuition for volunteer-led summer outdoor programs for youth, providing transportation to recreation locations, and more.