Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont fell 4 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.73 today. Gas is down 6 cents/g in the last month and down 4 cents/g from the same time last year. The lowest price in the state is $3.37/g in Ludlow, while the highest was $3.92/g in Killington. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 11 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.61/g today. It is uncertain at this point how the events in Israel and Gaza will affect prices going forward.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Mental Health has launched Starting Over Strong Vermont, a flood recovery outreach program developed in direct response to the major disaster declaration for the flooding events that significantly impacted many Vermonters in July of this year. The program aids Vermonters living in the nine counties approved to receive FEMA Individual Assistance across the state. Created to provide essential support services during times of crisis, Starting Over Strong Vermont operates through trained outreach workers who offer strengths-based, short-term assistance. This assistance, which is both anonymous and offered free of charge, aims to help individuals discover and access existing community support systems and resources. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Barre Disaster Recovery Center will relocate to the third floor of its current building. The center is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and closed Sunday. Vermonters can visit a center to get in-person help applying for disaster assistance. Specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to help upload documents, answer questions and guide you through the appeals process. 

Vermont Business Magazine Thousands of Vermonters will be reimbursed by the top three health insurance carriers in the state after a nearly two-year audit by the Department of Financial Regulation identified contraceptive medical services for policyholders were incorrectly covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT), MVP Health Care (MVP) and Cigna Healthcare (Cigna). In late 2021, the Department of Financial Regulation received complaints concerning contraceptive services being processed by insurers with a member cost-share, in violation of state and federal laws. Under provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, non-grandfathered health plans and health insurance issuers are mandated to provide coverage for certain contraceptive methods (including female sterilization) as well as related counseling and services, without any out-of-pocket costs.  

Vermont Business Magazine Phil Scott and the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) today announced $6 million in funding  will be available to support communities across the state to strengthen their local outdoor recreation economies, including support for communities to recover flood impacted outdoor recreation resources and projects to expand outdoor equity. The VOREC program – established by Governor Scott in 2017 and jointly led by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) – has opened the 2023 VOREC Community Grant Program and is now accepting applications.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is holding a series of public meetings around the state to get input for a Regional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Coordination Study. Findings from the study will be used to make recommendations to the Legislature for improving emergency medical services in Vermont. The Health Department is asking members of the public, as well as EMS and public safety professionals, hospital and local officials, and other stakeholders to share feedback and ideas on a host of regional EMS issues, including costs of service, existing and alternative funding models challenges and opportunities related to emergency response coordination, and the overall EMS district structure, authority, duties, and number of districts.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America and a POWDR resort, announced today that tickets for the 2023 Stifel Killington Cup will be available for purchase starting October 12 at 10:00 a.m. ET at killington.com. Taking place November 24-26, the Audi FIS Ski World Cup will once again bring the women’s giant slalom and slalom races to Vermont. The event is expected to attract Stifel U.S. Ski Team superstars, including five-time Stifel Killington Cup slalom victor and winningest alpine skier in history Mikaela Shiffrin, and former University of Vermont skier and 2023 world champion Paula Moltzan. 

VermontBiz The Leave No Trace organization has selected Mt. Philo State Park as a 2023 Spotlight site. As outdoor areas all over the country are being impacted by record use, this new initiative from Leave No Trace shines a light on communities rising to meet this challenge with multi-day, onsite education and stewardship programs. From October 13-15 a Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team will be in Charlotte, VT at Mt. Philo State Park to work with the community and local land agencies to deliver Leave No Trace education as well as to partner on restoration and stewardship projects.

VermontBiz The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is reminding hunters of a regulation designed to help keep Vermont deer healthy by banning the use of any deer lure containing deer urine or other deer bodily fluids.

The infectious agent of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal disease of deer, is a mutant protein or “prion” that can be passed in urine.  Prions can bind to soils and remain infectious for many years.  Nearly all urine-based lures are produced in captive deer facilities, where CWD is most likely to occur.  There is no accepted way to test live animals, and infected animals can spread CWD for years before showing any symptoms. No amount of testing or special certification program can eliminate the risk of spreading CWD through urine lures.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Green Mountain Power (GMP) awarded over $160,000 in funding and incentive payments to help Ben & Jerry’s purchase two new electric vehicles for its factories in St. Albans and Waterbury. These electric vehicles, called yard trucks, will help improve air quality and reduce Vermont’s carbon footprint. DEC awarded Ben & Jerry’s almost $135,000 towards the new St. Albans yard truck. This award was part of the Vermont Diesel Emissions Reduction Financial Assistance Program, which provides technical assistance and incentive funding for projects that reduce diesel emissions from engines, vehicles, and equipment in Vermont. This award marks the first non-road vehicle electrification project funded by DEC through the program.

Northeastern Vermont Development Association Button Up Vermont will be in Island Pond this Saturday for the “NEK Weatherization for All” event. Join NVDA and Energy Partners from across the NEK for this FREE, FUN & ENERGIZING event! Take a trip to scenic Island Pond, explore the Town of Brighton and explore smart + affordable energy strategies for EVERYONE. Representatives from Efficiency Vermont, HEAT Squad, NETO, NEKCA, RuralEdge, VPPSA, and VEC will provide information on incentives, rebates, grants, and programs for homeowners, renters, and landlords, alike. This is the opportunity to ask questions such as “How can I afford to weatherize?”, “Is it worth the time and cost?”, and “Where do I start?” Local, seasonal refreshments, door prizes, and raffles will be provided. Guests have the chance to win a free home energy audit from HEAT Squad, gift cards to local hardware stores to encourage DIY weatherization, and more. After the main event, all guests are invited to explore Island Pond and the breathtaking fall foliage display at its peak.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Bristol community celebrated the official grand opening of Firehouse Apartments with a ribbon cutting and an apartment tour. Co-owners and co-developers, Addison Housing Works and Evernorth partnered to develop Firehouse Apartments which will serve 20 low- and moderate-income households in downtown Bristol, close to amenities, recreational opportunities and community services. The Firehouse Apartments represents a critical component of a public/private partnership bringing municipal services, business incubation, and mixed-income housing to the growing community of Bristol on the Stoney Hill property. These all electric, high-performance homes were designed and constructed to the standards of the Enterprise Green Communities certification, resulting in resilient, healthy, efficient, and environmentally responsible housing connected to transportation, critical services, and a wide range of quality-of-life amenities.