Current News

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) today led US Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in sending a letter to bipartisan leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee urging Congress to provide robust federal funding for programs supporting the Lake Champlain basin. In their letter, the lawmakers emphasized the importance of federal programs to Lake Champlain that support critical work in the basin, from fostering a climate-resilient watershed to promoting outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation. 

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center has been redesignated by the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL). The redesignation process included assessments through interviews with various stakeholders and reviews of service delivery, policies, strategic initiatives, and management practices. The redesignation acknowledges Howard Center's success in providing quality services for individuals with developmental disabilities across Chittenden County. The redesignation committee found that Howard Center’s developmental services adhere to the standards set forth in the 2003 Administrative Rules on Agency Designation, aimed at ensuring the delivery of efficient and high-quality services while fostering continuous improvement in our statewide system of care.

Vermont Business Magazine The Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (Leahy BTV) announced record numbers on April 8th as thousands transcended to the airport to view the Total Solar Eclipse. Throughout the year, on average, Leahy BTV completes 300 operations a day; operations meaning a takeoff or landing. This past Monday, over 700 operations were completed with zero incidents and zero deviations.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and Ernie Boch Jr. today announced the launch of a new grant program aimed at supporting music programs in Vermont schools. The program will be run in coordination with Mr. Boch’s foundation, Music Drives Us. Music Drives Us (MDU) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that strives to inspire New England’s musicians of tomorrow by supporting their music opportunities today. Since 2006, Music Drives Us has donated millions in grants to hundreds of individuals, organizations, and schools throughout New England – empowering them to better teach the next generation of musicians.

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group released its 2023 Annual Report, which highlights new sales records set despite market volatility, as well product innovation and expanded community support. “We continue to grow with purpose while consistently outpacing our competition even with market volatility. At the same time, we have expanded efforts to combat childhood hunger, support youth mental health and build communities nationwide,” Chairman, CEO and President Mehran Assadi said. “We know our associates are our competitive advantage, our ‘secret sauce.’ They are essential to our mission-driven and purposeful culture, enabling us to serve Middle America.” Among the accomplishments noted in the report: Set new sales records: $530 million in life insurance policies; $2.7 billion in Single Premium Deferred Annuities; $220 million in flow annuity business.

Vermont Business Magazine LaunchVT, a division of the Lake Champlain Chamber, has selected eight Vermont startups to participate in its 2024 Accelerator. This is the 12th cohort to come through LaunchVT’s flagship program. Since 2013, LaunchVT has provided business development support, strategic coaching, and over $1 million in cash and services to accelerate 79 Vermont startups statewide.

by Devon Green, VP of Government Relations, VAHHS Last week, I attended a press conference of health care providers and patient advocates supporting prior authorizations and step therapy reform in H.766 (spotlighted in this week’s Update). After Bob Kinzel’s first question, I briefly wondered if anyone would feel hesitant about going to the podium. Instead, every provider jumped at the chance to answer. The passion was palpable. If you have a chance, engage with any health care providers in your life on their experiences around prior authorizations and bureaucratic processes—they have a lot to say, and they’re hoping for action now. 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.42 per gallon, up 4.8 cents per gallon from last week's $3.37/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.21/g while the highest was $3.60/g, a difference of 39.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has risen 3.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.60/g today. The national average is up 14.2 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 5.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. Motorists in the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S. will soon see a spike in prices as they make the leap to summer gasoline— as much as 20-50 cents per gallon higher in nearly a dozen states. 

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Is your business looking for a fun way to connect with new customers across New England? Apply to sell your products during Harvest New England Day on the lawn of the Vermont Building at the Big E! The Vermont Building is one of six public market style buildings on the Avenue of the States at the Big E, a 17-day fair and exposition that will take place September 13-29, 2024, in West Springfield, MA. Harvest New England Day is a single-day, farmers market style event that will take place on Friday, September 27, 2024. This is a great opportunity for businesses who are interested in trying out their product at the Big E without a multi-day commitment. In 2022 on Harvest New England Day, more than 119,000 people visited the Big E fairgrounds!  

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First, Vermont Business Magazine The executive boards of the Democratic party for both the town of Colchester and the county of Grand Isle conducted unpublicized meetings last week to produce names for a possible successor to longtime State Sen. Dick Mazza. The private selection sessions were held before many of the constituents for Mazza, D-Grand Isle/Colchester even knew he had resigned Monday April 8 after 42 years at the statehouse, including 39 years as a state senator. The list of six names proved to be interesting for both who was on as much as who was not included. The chairs of both Democratic committees, who presided over separate meetings – Julie Hulburd for the town of Colchester and Dr. Deborah Lang for Grand Isle County – each had their names sent to Gov. Phil Scott for consideration to fill the seat.

by Joy Choquette, Vermont Business Magazine Entrepreneurship and the technology tools to support it have never been closer at hand or easier to access. Yet many small businesses have been forced to close their doors in the past few years. Some closures were due to the pandemic, others to high-interest rates or lack of staffing. Still others fell prey to the Great Flood of 2023. New businesses continue to open, however, keeping the staff at the Vermont Economic Development Authority busy processing new applications. VEDA, with offices in Burlington, Montpelier and Middlebury, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. VEDA’s role is to provide financial assistance to eligible agricultural and commercial businesses. It also works to help these businesses grow and create more Vermont jobs. Since its inception in 1974, the organization has provided $2.6 billion in financing to eligible businesses.

by Ben Cohen & Jerry Greenfield As the founders of Ben & Jerry's, we know firsthand the power of investing in Vermont’s communities. Since opening our first location in downtown Burlington, we've used our platform to support economic and social justice. That’s why we wholeheartedly support the proposal to create a Baby Bonds program in Vermont. The status quo isn’t working for regular people, both in Vermont and nationwide. High costs of higher education and housing, coupled with systemic barriers to capital, prevent many from overcoming cycles of generational poverty and achieving upward social mobility. We know these challenges disproportionately impact BIPOC Vermonters. In 2020, White Vermonters had a homeownership rate of 72%, compared to 21% for Black Vermonters, a wider disparity than the national averages of 70% for White individuals and 41% for Black individuals. Over the past several decades, America’s wealth gap between the richest and poorest families more than doubled. The wealthiest Vermonters currently earn over 10 times more than the bottom 20%.