Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Independent bottler Lost Lantern is ushering in autumn with the release of its Fall 2023 Single Cask Collection, showcasing five new single casks from some of America's most sought-after distilleries. This seasonal release spotlights whiskies from four returning Lost Lantern partners, all fan favorites: Balcones Distilling (TX), Smooth Ambler (WV), New Riff (KY), and Corbin Cash (CA). It also includes Lost Lantern’s first release from its most-requested new partner, Andalusia Whiskey Co. (TX).

Vermont Business Magazine The Disaster Recovery Center in Wardsboro (Windham County) will cease operations at 6 p.m. Monday, September 18, and relocate to Ludlow (Windsor County). It will reopen at 8 a.m. September 20, and continue with regular hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and closed Sunday. The new address is: Ludlow Community Center, 37 Main St, Ludlow, VT 05149.

Vermont Business Magazine The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) approved hospital budget increases of 6.6% system-wide Net Patient Revenue (NPR) over current year projected results, representing an increase of $218 million in revenue across the 14 community hospitals. The two-year NPR increase (FY22 Actuals - FY24 approved budget) is 18.2% system-wide ($548 million), compared to the 8.6% guidance set by GMCB. In FY24 decisions, GMCB made adjustments to seven hospitals’ budgets to limit the rate increases that impact commercially insured patients, representing a 7.8% reduction ($145 million) from submitted budgets.  

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) took to the floor of the U.S. Senate this week to urge his colleagues to advance the Credit Card Competition Act, bipartisan legislation he co-introduced with Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL); Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS); and Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) to restore choice and competition to the credit card market and bring down costs for small businesses in Vermont and across America. In his speech, Sen. Welch highlighted the essential role small businesses play in rural communities, and the ways swipe fees are hurting small businesses in rural America succeed. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor reminds Vermonters impacted by the July 2023 flood that the federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits application deadline is September 29, 2023, for those living or working in eligible counties. FEMA declared Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor counties as federal disaster areas. Under this declaration, individuals living, working, or scheduled to work in these counties may be eligible for DUA. This includes independent contractors, those who are self-employed, and agricultural workers. Individuals seeking assistance through the DUA program must first file for regular unemployment benefits. As part of the application process, claimants should indicate that their employment was impacted by the disaster. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) Thursday led a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of colleagues in calling for inclusion of the Reducing Exposure to Burn Pits Act in the final version of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (NDAA).  The bipartisan provision, which was included in the Senate-passed NDAA, builds upon the Honoring our PACT Act and would help protect servicemembers from exposure to toxic substances. 

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont and UVM Larner College of Medicine have announced the upcoming "Dean's Celebration of Excellence in Research," a weeklong celebration dedicated to showcasing the research endeavors of faculty, research fellows, and graduate students. Scheduled from September 18 to 22, 2023, the celebration aims to be a platform for academic discovery and collaboration.

Vermont Business Magazine Federal assistance can help Vermonters recover from the July 7-17 severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides. Here are ten facts to know about the help that may be available to you, including: You won’t be taking money away from someone else by applying. FEMA will distribute funds to every eligible applicant regardless of how many people apply. FEMA assistance is available to homeowners and renters, including owners and renters of mobile homes. And eligible homeowners and renters will receive FEMA assistance as grants that do not have to be repaid.

Vermont Business Magazine An awards ceremony and reception presented by VermontBiz and KeyBank was held Tuesday, September 12th, at the Echo, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. John Boutin, Publisher, VermontBiz; Joseph McGowan, President, KeyBank Vermont; and Secretary of Commerce and Community Development Lindsay Kurrle were on hand to present the awards. The winners, their employees and guests were entertained by comedian and ventriloquist Al Getler during the celebration.

Vermont Business Magazine The City of Winooski announced Thursday the retirement of Chief of Police Rick Hebert, effective December 1, 2023. The announcement said, "We are immensely proud of his ~30 years of dedicated service and leadership to Winooski’s residents, visitors, city staff, and elected officials. Chief Hebert started in 1996 as an officer, working up through the ranks of Sergeant, Interim Deputy Chief, Interim Chief, then officially becoming the Chief of Police in 2014.

Vermont Business Magazine The Curtis Fund, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, has awarded more than $2.1 million in scholarships for the 2023-2024 school year to students from every county in Vermont. Curtis Fund scholarships support students pursuing two- and four-year degrees and certificate programs at postsecondary institutions. The Curtis Fund’s mission is to make it possible for Vermonters, regardless of personal income, to obtain the education or training they need to build purposeful lives.

Vermont Business Magazine Farmers Kara and Ryan Fitzbeauchamp and Sam Rowley have won conservation awards, the Vermont Land Trust (VLT) announced today. Farmer and teacher Sam Rowley of the Green Mountain Career and Technology Center received VLT’s Land & Lives Award. Kara and Ryan Fitzbeauchamp of Evening Song Farm in Shrewsbury won the 2023 Eric Rozendaal Memorial Award. The winners received the awards at the land trust’s annual member meeting in Barnard on September 13.