Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) today hosted an event with local organic dairy farmers, and farmer and producer advocacy groups to unveil his recently introduced Organic Dairy Assistance, Investment, and Reporting Yields Act (O DAIRY) Act of 2023. He hosted the event at the Choiniere Family Farm, a 100% grass-fed certified organic dairy and diversified farm in Highgate Center. The farm is a member of both Organic Valley and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, both of whom joined the Choiniere’s and Senator Welch today on the farm.  

Vermont Business Magazine At its September meetings, the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB) took action to support the creation of shelters for people experiencing homelessness in the Northeast Kingdom and White River Junction, and a total investment of $5.2 million was made for housing development projects that will provide 42 rental apartments and 40 shelter beds in four Vermont communities. The Board also voted to invest $1.4 million in the conservation of 654 acres in five communities and $200,000 for historic preservation in one community.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Congressional Delegation, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), and Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) urged JetBlue Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robin Hayes to reinstate service between the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (Leahy BTV) and New York’s JFK International Airport, which accounts for 10% of all passengers flying into Burlington monthly, and to compensate all passengers impacted by JetBlue’s recently announced service termination. “Your decision to abruptly terminate service at Leahy BTV has the potential to harm businesses in our state and make travel for constituents between Vermont and New York significantly more difficult. The news was particularly difficult to receive on the same day your corporation announced an expansion of your transatlantic service at JFK,” wrote the Delegation.  

Vermont Business Magazine Today, a unique and wide-reaching group of partners officially energized the new and innovative UVM Solar Research and Training Facility located at the McNeil Generating Station in Burlington. The facility is the culmination of a multi-year partnership among the City of Burlington, the McNeil Joint Owners, the University of Vermont (UVM), and Encore Renewable Energy. Representatives of those partners were joined at today’s announcement by Mayor Miro Weinberger, Senator Bernie Sanders, and representatives of VGS. The solar array, permitted for up to 50 kilowatts (kW) of solar panels, was built by Encore for UVM at the McNeil site with critical support from VGS to allow for shared infrastructure at the project site. The equipment for the facility was donated by the federal government with the assistance of Sanders, who also directed $150,000 in Congressional funding to the DOE to help make the project a reality.

Vermont Business Magazine The Saint Michael's College Board of Trustees announced today that Richard Plumb, Ph.D., will become the 18th president of the College. He will begin his new role in January 2024.  Dr. Plumb brings extensive institutional leadership experience, having most recently served as president of Saint Mary's College in California. Prior to that, Dr. Plumb served seven years as executive vice president and provost at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota and nine years as dean of the Seaver College of Science and Engineering at Loyola Marymount University. A first-generation college student, Dr. Plumb holds a bachelor's degree, master's degree and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University.  

Vermont Business Magazine Ledyard Financial Group, Inc (ticker symbol LFGP), the holding company for Ledyard National Bank, has announced financial results for Q3 2023 and declared a regular quarterly dividend. “The improvement in net income over Q2 was rooted in strong credit performance, with negative provision expense resulting from a more favorable economic outlook and net recoveries resulting from diligent credit management practices. Net interest margin narrowed, though at a slower pace than in previous quarters. With both loans and deposits growing the balance sheet remains solid and our quarterly dividend is unchanged,” said Peter Sprudzs, CFO.

Vermont State Police An autopsy on the victim found deceased Friday in Plainfield was completed Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington. The medical examiner was able to positively identify the victim as Jeffrey Caron, 42, of Barre. The cause of his death was determined to be a gunshot wound, and the manner of death is a homicide. Investigation to this point by the Vermont State Police indicates this was a targeted, isolated incident, and there is no danger to the public. 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are down 3.8 cents per gallon to $3.60/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.24/g while the highest was $3.79/g, a difference of 55 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 5.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.45/g today. The national average is down 36.3 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 27.4 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine The Citizens Business Conditions Index (CBCI) fell in Vermont, below both the regional and national levels. Vermont had been at or above the comparable levels the last three years. Citizens Bank has branches in Vermont. Meanwhile, across the region a strong labor market and resilient consumer trends supported a slight improvement in economic conditions during the third quarter as inflation showed some signs of abating, according to the national CBCI, released today. After falling below 50 in the second quarter, the index rose to 50.7 in the third quarter, signaling a return to modest growth. The regional index rose four points to 52.7, while the Vermont index fell nearly seven points to 47.8.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets The Maple Agriculture Development Grant aims to develop, grow and sustain maple businesses throughout Vermont. High priority projects include improvements relating to climate resilience, operational efficiency, and food safety and quality. Project awards will range from $15,000 to $100,000 with no match requirement; a total of $543,750 is available to award. These funds are a result of a report from the Governor’s Commission on the Future of Vermont Agriculture, identifying maple, meat, and produce as Vermont agricultural sectors with critical funding needs. 

Vermont State Police On the above date and time, the Vermont State Police received a report of a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle v. passenger car in the area of Cemetery Hill Rd and US RT 2. Both the operator and passenger of the motorcycle were flown to UVM Medical in Burlington and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for life threatening injuries. David Garneau of Worcester was issued a citation to appear in the Washington County Superior Court - Criminal Division to answer to the charge of Negligent Operation and DUI - Drug. The passenger of vehicle 2 (Motorcycle), Annette Cleroux of Ontario died from her injuries on October 27th.  

Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies In early August, the ad tech service was named to the Inc. 5,000 list of fastest-growing private businesses in the country. Co-founder and CEO Mike Lane, who also serves on VCET’s board, says the award is recognition for years of hard work. Fluency was co-founded by Lane, the former co-founder/COO of Dealer.com, in November 2017. After he sold the latter in 2014, Lane took a few years off – remodeling a bathroom and building a cabin – before itching to start something new. Lane co-founded Fluency with three partners, all former co-workers at Dealer.com. The group was eager to start something together but didn’t know what at first.