Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Community and manufacturing leaders from throughout VT and NH gathered at the American Precision Museum in Windsor last night to celebrate the launch of a new vision for the future of APM. Over 75 guests joined APM board and staff for a presentation of the museum's new strategic plan, the opportunity to explore current collections, and provide input on initial concepts for historical preservation plans, new interactive, exhibit designs, expanded STEM+M (science, technology, engineering, mathematics + manufacturing) education and career awareness programming and much more.

Vermont Business Magazine The Board of Trustees of the Woodstock Foundation have appointed Bruce Grosbety as President of the Woodstock Inn & Resort, a AAA Four Diamond Resort and one of New England's premier year-round vacation destinations. A native of the northeast who started in the hospitality industry at his family-owned resort, Grosbety brings several decades of hospitality experience to the Woodstock Inn & Resort from diverse roles at world-class hotels and destination resorts across the country. He most recently served as Vice President and General Manager for The Yarrow Group, where he oversaw the daily operations of five hotels in Jackson, WY, and Fort Collins, CO. Grosbety will officially begin his new role on November 16.

Vermont Business Magazine The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the application deadline for the Milk Loss Program (MLP) to Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, allowing more time for eligible dairy farmers to apply for much-needed, weather-related disaster recovery assistance.  Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), MLP compensates dairy producers who, because of qualifying weather events, dumped or removed milk without compensation from the commercial milk market in calendar years 2020, 2021 and 2022. Eligible causes of loss also include consequences of these weather events, such as power outages, impassable roads and infrastructure losses. FSA opened MLP enrollment on Sept. 11, 2023; the original MLP deadline was Oct. 16, 2023.   

Agency of Commerce and Community Development The Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) application portal will close on Monday, October 23rd. Businesses who have yet to apply or are still completing their application will need to do so by October 23rd. The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance and SBA disaster loan applications for physical damage from flooding that occurred July 7 through July 21 has been extended to October 31, 2023.

Vermont Business Magazine Darn Tough Vermont, the leading American manufacturer of premium performance socks, has re-signed all four professional athletes to their 2024 athlete roster: ultra-runner Mirna Valerio, sit-skier Trevor Kennison, freeskier Michelle Parker, and Vermont-based snowboarder Jake Blauvelt. These talented athletes share similar values with the brand - bringing an authentic style and positive influence to their respective communities. Through these ongoing partnerships, Mirna, Trevor, Michelle, and Jake will continue to offer perspective to Darn Tough’s latest product innovations and designs.

Vermont Business Magazine North Country Federal Credit Union, in partnership with Kasasa and the Dream Machine, is hosting a local Best Day Ever event at 11:30am ET at the Harborside Harvest Market (8986 US Route 2) on November 3, 2023. North County employees will be wearing capes and passing out red cards at the Harborside Harvest Market. However, these cards won’t contain money, they are a ticket for a free lunch. As customers leave, they will be invited to answer a question or two on camera and to have their photo taken with members of the North Country team. These customers will also be given a branded lunch bag.

Vermont Business Magazine The Royal Group Inc, based in Rutland, has been selected as The Gold Partner of the Year at the 18th annual Axis Connect & Converge Conference (ACCC) 2023 in Kansas City, MO. Axis Communications, the market leader in network video, presented this annual award to the top channel, software and technology partner in the Northeast. The Royal Group Inc was recognized for their innovative solutions and dedication to meeting their clients’ needs. 

Vermont Business Magazine A multi-institutional team of researchers led by the White River Junction (Vermont) VA, and including the West Haven and Palo Alto VA, analyzed electronic health record data from more than 5.9 million Veterans - spanning both pre-pandemic and pandemic periods - to discover nuanced insights from COVID-19’s impact on mortality rates. In comparing excess mortality rates in vulnerable populations, researchers found that patients with dementia showed the highest relative rates of mortality, but the highest number of deaths were in those who had diabetes. Again, this is because there are a large number of people who have diabetes. In contrast, patients with metastatic cancer showed no excess mortality during the initial pandemic years, possibly due to protective measures taken by this group.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Economic Development (DED) announced today that the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) application portal will close on Monday, October 23rd. Businesses who have yet to apply or are still completing their application will need to do so by October 23rd. “This $20 million grant program has been a tremendous help to our flood damaged businesses, landlords, nonprofits, and farms,” said Joan Goldstein, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Economic Development. “Many business owners have told us they would not have been able to reopen without these funds.  We are grateful to Governor Scott and the Emergency Board for reallocating state funds to deliver immediate support to our employers, employees, and communities in the wake of the July floods.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Ascutney Fire District #2 (Fire District), the owner and operator of a public water system in Weathersfield, was fined $4,000 for violations of the Vermont Water Supply Rule (VWSR) and has been directed to bring the water system into compliance. Many Vermonters use public community water systems for safe, reliable drinking water. These systems range in size from small condominium associations to large cities. Owners of public community water systems are responsible for managing and maintaining the systems in accordance with the VWSR. Among many other requirements, owners are required to have a certified operator who is responsible and available at all times, and who must perform routine sampling and monitoring for water quality.

Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont has renewed funding for the First Generation Homebuyer Program. Originally released as a pilot program in 2022, the program is now widely available and offers eligible homebuyers a $15,000 grant to help with down payment and closing costs. Interested homebuyers can now apply through any local VHFA participating lender (bank, credit union, or mortgage company). The program has helped 54 first-generation homebuyers purchase their first home in Vermont so far. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor has announced the determination of the 2024 Unemployment Insurance (UI) Taxable Wage Base. Effective January 1, 2024, the Taxable Wage base will increase from its current level of $13,500 to $14,300. An increase of $800. Employers pay unemployment contributions based on initial wages earned annually by each of their employees up to a certain amount. This is known as the Taxable Wage Base. Under the new Taxable Wage Base, employers will pay UI contributions on the first $14,300 an employee earns in calendar year 2024.