Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The incident period for the Vermont severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides has been amended. On September 19, 2023, FEMA announced that the incident period for the disaster declaration is now July 7, 2023, through and including July 21, 2023. This means that FEMA may provide assistance to survivors of the storms for damage caused during those dates (the “incident period”).

Vermont Business Magazine The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announced today that it is awarding a Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant of $227,982 to Legal Services Vermont (LSV).  LSV is one of 17 legal aid organizations receiving a grant. In total, LSC is awarding $5 million to support efforts to expand and improve pro bono legal services for low-income Americans. In the face of a vast justice gap—where low-income people do not receive sufficient legal help for 92% of their civil legal problems—pro bono services are one of the approaches that LSC advances to address the disparities in access to justice. 

Vermont Business Magazine With the fall ahead, shoreland residents are getting ready to close their camps for the season. The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is urging residents to either remove their docks from the water, or if ice damage is not a concern, to let them freeze in place. Forgoing aeration devices designed to prevent ice buildup around your dock will help protect Vermont lakes and public safety. If you are planning to install a bubbler, ice eater, or de-icer near your dock, you will need to apply for a Lake Encroachment Permit. Bubblers attach to docks and circulate air in the water. They are often used or marketed to reduce ice, aquatic plants, or sediment.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Vermont is announcing Oct. 20, 2023 as the application deadline for Fiscal Year 2024 (Oct 1, 2023 - Sep 30, 2024) funding for four programs: Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA); Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP); Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP); Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

Vermont Business Magazine The Federal Nuclear Waste Policy (FNWP) Committee of the Vermont Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel (VT NDCAP) will meet on Monday, September 25, 2023 from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM.  As permitted by ACT 1 of the 2023 Vermont Legislature,

this meeting will be conducted solely as a webcast and teleconference.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says its Walter Cabell Shooting Range in Woodbury will be open for hunters to sight in their rifles on Saturday, October 14. Shooters will be required to follow all range rules.  A range safety officer will be on site to assist users and ensure rules are adhered to.  Bring your own rifle and ammunition.  Safety glasses and hearing protection are required.  The range will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife A youngster’s first hunt can mark the beginning of a lifelong passion for the outdoors and a commitment to wildlife conservation.  There is no finer time to begin this journey than during Vermont’s upcoming youth waterfowl hunting weekend on September 23 and 24. Hunters 17 years of age or younger may hunt ducks and geese in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont waterfowl hunting zones. The age requirement is 15 and under in the Connecticut River zone. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation announces fall activities at State Historic Sites open through mid-October in 2023. Currently open for tours and events are the Bennington Battle Monument, Chimney Point, Hubbardton Battlefield, Mount Independence, President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, and the President Chester A. Arthur State Historic Site. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Department of Economic Development Commissioner Joan Goldstein today announced forthcoming changes to the $20 million Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) formula, which will increase grant awards to flood impacted businesses, nonprofits, and landlords. Since August, when BEGAP launched, organizations that suffered less than $1 million dollars in physical damage were eligible for grants equaling 20% of 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. The change applies to all BEGAP grantees - past, present, and future.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott will join other New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers for the annual conference hosted by Québec Premier François Legault in Quebec City, September 24-25. The 11 member jurisdictions of NEG/ECP are: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Québec.

Vermont Business Magazine More than two months after the July 7-21, 2023, severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides, some affected residents in Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor counties may still be looking for answers. FEMA’s Individual and Households Program provides eligible survivors with financial assistance and direct services. Since the presidential major declaration on July 14, thousands of Vermonters have already filed an application. Some may receive a letter stating that their claim is ineligible for assistance. If you receive that letter, you may be able to change the outcome. Many times, it’s a simple fix. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) on Thursday, September 21, at 11 am ET, will mark up critical legislation to address the primary care crisis in America, including the major shortage of nurses, doctors, dentists, mental health professionals, and other important health care workers across the country.