Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Tuesday night on the floor of the US Senate, Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) called on his colleagues to support Vermont farmers, families and communities by passing supplemental disaster aid and replenishing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund. In his remarks, Senator Welch discussed the extreme hardships faced by Vermont’s farmers during the flood, highlighting the damage to three Vermont farms: Conant Riverside Farm in Richmond, the Paul Mazza Fruit and Vegetable Farm in Essex Junction, and the Foote Brook Farm in Johnson. He called for a disaster supplemental package that expands U.S. Department of Agriculture emergency grant relief programs and assistance to farmers.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Congressional Delegation, led by Senate Commerce Committee member Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), this week called on Amtrak to provide an update on the establishment of interim preclearance operations to support rail travel between Vermont and Quebec and the federal actions needed for the full implementation of a preclearance program. Senators Welch and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Representative Becca Balint (D-VT) asked Amtrak Board of Directors Chair Anthony Coscia to work with the delegation to expand rail service in Vermont.  

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) today announced $5 million of funding to support low- and moderate-income Vermont homeowners in repairing or replacing their failed or inadequate on-site water or wastewater systems. This is the third round of funding for the program. Eligible homeowners may apply for this round of ARPA On-Site funding by October 31, 2023. The application process includes submitting an online pre-qualification application. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Fox US OPEN of Mountain Biking returns to Killington Resort on Sept. 21-24, 2023. The 20th anniversary of the event will bring professional and amateur athletes from around the world to compete in Downhill, Enduro and Dual Slalom racing, and offers one of the largest cash purses in Downhill Racing. Dakotah Norton and Nina Hoffman are expected to return to defend their 2022 titles, while athletes such as Asa Vermette, Althea Ostgaard, Neko Mulally, Wyn Masters, Jackson Goldston, Dylan Maples and more look to solidify their place in MTB history.  

Vermont Business Magazine This collaborative event on Thursday, September 21, will highlight the collective work towards building equity across our infrastructure initiatives and throughout the state of Vermont. There will be a brief moderated panel with representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, Vermont Agency of Transportation leadership and staff, Vermont Works for Women program participants, and working tradeswomen. The event will be held at the Vermont Agency of Transportation District 4 Garage, 223 Beswick Drive, in White River Junction.

Oktoberfest Vermont is so much more than just beer and we can't wait to show you why. A true carnival on the shores of Lake Champlain! It's officially time to blow the dust off of the dirndl in your closet! The Von Trapp Costume Contest brings out some of the best outfits this side of the Atlantic. The stakes have never been higher, as we will select one winner from each session and they will receive a two night stay at Von Trapp Lodge in Stowe. Don't fret if you don't have a dirndl. There are plenty of other ways to get festive, as well!

Vermont Business Magazine On September 14, Addison County was added to the disaster declaration due to the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides occurring July 7-17, 2023.  Businesses and homeowners that suffered physical damage or economic injury are eligible for: Business Physical Disaster Loans; Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL}; Home Disaster Loans - Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.

Public Assets Institute The typical Vermont family saw modest income growth last year, but it was not enough to keep up with inflation. According to new data from the U.S. Census, Vermont median household income1 rose to $73,991 in 2022. That was a 2.2 percent increase from 2021, the second smallest increase in the country. Only New Hampshire had a smaller increase. The picture looks a little bleaker when inflation is taken into account. Vermont median household income actually fell last year, by 5.5 percent, after adjusting for inflation.

Vermont Business Magazine Today State Treasurer Mike Pieciak issued a request for public comment on strategies for financing climate infrastructure including green energy, weatherization, and resiliency in Vermont. The request for public comment is issued in connection with a legislative directive for the Treasurer to consider frameworks that would maximize collaboration and resources among state, federal, private, and nonprofit entities to mitigate the impacts of climate change in Vermont. The Legislature identified a number of specific stakeholders to engage in this work, but Treasurer Pieciak would like to hear from as many Vermonters as possible and incorporate their ideas. Written comments will be accepted through Friday, November 3, 2023

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Humanities is excited to announce that the National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded the organization a Disaster Recovery Grant of $200,000 for ongoing flood recovery efforts for cultural organizations in the state of Vermont. This emergency funding is designed to support non-profit organizations impacted by the historic flooding in Vermont as they seek to return to providing cultural or humanities-based programming to their communities. Vermont Humanities has already raised an additional $165,000 from reserve funds and generous individual donors seeking to offer flexible funding in support of the state’s vital community and cultural resources, and this award from the NEH will empower the organization to extend that help further.

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Peter Welch (D-VT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) as well as Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) filed an amicus brief in Merck & Co. v. Becerra in the District Court for the District of Columbia urging the federal court to uphold the constitutionality of Congress allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for consumers. 

by Bill Schubart I have grave ethical concerns about the behavior, governance, and board leadership at the UVM Health Network (UVMHN) and its network of Vermont hospitals (Porter, Central VT, and UVM Medical Center (UVMMC). As nonprofits, I believe they’ve betrayed the best interests of those patients they’re appointed to serve, as well as their many committed nurses and practitioners (see moral injury), by focusing solely on competitive expansion, market consolidation and revenue growth rather than on the key mission of population health. As a former chair of 12 statewide and national non-profits, I understand non-profit governance. Nonprofits are by definition driven by a public-good mission not by profits and market share. They don’t compete with one another, they collaborate together to expand their mission impact.