Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Peter Welch (D-VT) and John Fetterman (D-PA), alongside Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02), and Jim McGovern (MA-02) today introduced the Streamlining Nutrition Paperwork Act of 2023. The legislation modernizes the existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Act (SNAP) by making it easier for people to apply for SNAP over the phone. SNAP helps low-income individuals and families by providing monthly benefits to purchase food.  

Vermont Business Magazine The National Park Service awarded $10 million in the second round of funding from the Semiquincentennial Grant Program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. These grants include $409,960 for the preservation of the Old Constitution House in Windsor, Vermont. Created by Congress in 2020 and funded through the Historic Preservation Fund, these grants will support 20 cultural resource preservation projects across 14 states. The Old Constitution House is the birthplace of Vermont, where on July 8, 1777, the first Constitution of the “Free and Independent State of Vermont” was adopted. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Manufacturing Collaborative (VT-MC), hosted by Vermont State University, announces a new $1.5M contract with the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) to establish the New England Defense Supply Chain Enhancement Initiative. Funded by the Department of Defense (DoD), the two-year initiative aims to fortify supply chain resiliency through workforce development and the advancement of cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. This is only the latest in business and government partnerships where students work directly with companies to tackle tough business challenges in research and development, product design, and manufacturing. 

Vermont Business Magazine This week marks the formal introduction of the University of Vermont’s new School of World Languages and Cultures (SWLC), located within the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). The School brings together four departments—Asian Languages and Literatures, Classics, German and Russian, and Romance Languages and Cultures—under the same roof, opening avenues for increased communication and collaboration both within the School and across colleges. This is particularly notable because it comes at a time when universities across the country are cutting foreign language programs.

Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce has announced its inaugural "Heart of The Shires Luncheon," in collaboration with Coggins Auto Group and Fidium Fiber. The event will take place at the Bennington Museum’s Ada and Paul Paresky Wing on Wednesday, November 8, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The luncheon aims to honor and spotlight exemplary nonprofits, social sector organizations, government agencies, and community leaders for their contributions to community well-being, public health, and civic service. Over 75 area nonprofit and community leaders are expected to attend. Congresswoman Becca Balint will present the keynote address. 

Vermont Business Magazine GlobalFoundries (Nasdaq: GFS) (GF) announced today it has applied for U.S. CHIPS and Science Act Funding, with two full applications submitted to the CHIPS Program Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The submitted applications are for capacity expansion and modernization of GF’s U.S. manufacturing facilities. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Foundation announce today that the Deerfield River Enhancement Fund grant program, managed in partnership with the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and Great River Hydro, LLC, has awarded $46,534 in grants to six organizations. Grant funding will support conservation efforts and educational facilities, materials, and programming in the Deerfield River Watershed. The Deerfield River Enhancement Fund was established in 1999 by Great River Hydro’s predecessor for the environmental preservation of the Deerfield River Watershed. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Board of Education announced that the position for Secretary of Education has been posted with an application deadline of October 5, 2023. Part of the Board’s hiring process will include a public hearing on October 2. The Secretary is responsible for providing leadership to over 150 employees at the Agency of Education, serving as a vital member of the Governor's Cabinet and working with the State Board of Education to uphold educational standards across the state.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.79 per gallon, down 0.7 cents per gallon from last week's $3.80/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.60/g while the highest was $3.89/g, a difference of 29.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.80/g today. 

Vermont Business Magazine The National AHEC Organization (NAO) selected Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC) as one of seven AHECs nationwide to receive funds from a $2 million-dollar Workforce Pathways for Youth Grant from the US Department of Labor. This three-year grant beginning October 1, 2023, is earmarked to enhance and expand health careers exploration programming and work-based learning experiences using innovative technologies for youth ages 14-21 in rural and underserved communities. Southern Vermont AHEC has the distinction to be the only AHEC Center on the eastern seaboard to receive this funding. 

Vermont Business Magazine There are significant changes to the award formula for the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP), which apply to all BEGAP grantees - past, present, and future. Since August, when BEGAP launched, organizations that suffered less than $1 million dollars in physical damage were eligible for grants equaling 20% of their net uncovered damages (damages less insurance proceeds, donations, or other grants), with a maximum payout of $20,000. The new formula eliminates the $20,000 cap and increases payouts to 30% of net uncovered damages.

by Joyce Marcel, Vermont Business Magazine An engaging and globe-trotting Scotsman with an Irish name has turned out to be the perfect choice to take over the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center. Patrick Boyle, 61, is only the second person to head VMEC, which was founded in 1995. He leads a team of 10. With his Scottish accent and easy charm, Boyle is a delight to talk to. He’s witty, open and has the ability to put almost anyone at ease. The word most people use to describe him is “engaging.”