Current News

Vermont Business Magazine A new state incentive program, the Vermont Farmer Ecosystem Stewardship Program, has recently paid $150,000 to 30 Vermont farms to compensate them for their ongoing participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). This incentive from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets will continue to be available for new CSP applicants this fall, but funding is limited. The state incentive is designed to provide upfront incentive payments and technical assistance to increase the number of farms who enroll in CSP. Each farmer will receive between $2,000 and $9,500 in state incentives, depending on their level of engagement. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Arts Council announces over $300,000 in Cultural Facilities Grants to 19 Vermont arts and community organizations, providing critical funds to enhance, create, or expand the capacity of existing buildings that offer cultural activities for the public. Each year, the Cultural Facilities Grant Program supports grants of up to $30,000 in capital improvements to town halls, theaters, library buildings, museums, community centers, and other public spaces where Vermonters gather for arts and cultural activities. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Emergency Eats (VEE) continues to distribute meals to flood-impacted Vermonters through September and October in areas of the state where the need continues. Thanks to an extension authorized by the state, the Vermont Emergency Eats program, which was originally set for 30 days, will continue for up to 90 days in areas hardest hit by the recent flooding. Based on the COVID-era Vermont Everyone Eats program, this new short-term emergency program is the result of a joint effort between the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), and Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA).

Vermont Business Magazine Government agencies, private nonprofits and houses of worship in Essex County can now apply for FEMA to reimburse their costs to remove debris and restore infrastructure damaged in Vermont’s July floods. This amendment makes Essex County eligible for two additional categories of FEMA’s Public Assistance program: debris removal, and permanent repairs to public infrastructure including roads, bridges, buildings, parks and utilities. The county is already eligible for reimbursement of emergency protective measures it took to prevent damage during the storms.

Vermont Business Magazine The Northwest Vermont Communications Union District, d/b/a Northwest Fiberworx (NWFX) based in Saint Albans, Vermont, has signed an agreement with the Biddeford Internet Corporation, d/b/a Great Works Internet Vermont (GWI VT) located in South Royalton, Vermont paving the way for 30,000 locations over 22 Northwestern Vermont communities to access a robust, reliable, and affordable fiber internet network. Under the agreement, NWFX will construct, own, maintain, and operate an “open access” fiber-optic cable network and associated equipment and facilities. GWI VT will license the network from NWFX. In addition, GWI VT will complete the design and manage the installation and subsequent operation of the network on behalf of NWFX. 

Vermont Business Magazine If you receive a letter from FEMA that states you are ineligible for assistance, you can appeal. Ineligible does not mean denied – just that FEMA has not received everything needed to process your application. First, read your letter carefully to determine why FEMA couldn’t process your application. 

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Health Network has been named one of America’s Best Employers on Forbes’ annual state-by-state list, which includes organizations of many types, including hospitals and health systems. To create the list, Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to survey more than 70,000 employees at companies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Participants evaluated their employer based on working conditions, compensation, diversity, potential for advancement and were asked if they would recommend their employer to others.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported September 6, 2023, that COVID-19 hospitalizations edged down to a statewide total of 27, down from 31 last week, they were 25 before that and 7 three weeks ago. Cases and hospitalizations had risen over the summer. COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH. Reported cases last week were 165, up 3 from last week; they were 219 before that. The CDC has stated that a new booster will be available early this fall and that an estimated 97% of Americans have some level of immunity, from either vaccination or infection or both, which they said will help keep down new transmission and lessen serious outcomes. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) today announced five Vermont organizations received federal investments through the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Community Facilities Grants, which support and strengthen rural development in Vermont and across America. The USDA Community Facilities Grants will support projects in the Town of Hardwick, Castleton, Greensboro, Cabot, and Lyndonville. The $914,000 awarded to Vermont is part of an $800 million investment from the USDA across 36 states and two territories, supporting an estimated 480,000 people in rural communities.

Vermont Business Magazine Champlain College is hosting the second annual Leahy Cyber Symposium on Friday, September 22, 2023, between 9 AM and 4 PM. This year’s symposium topic is “Protecting Your Organization Against Cyber Threats.” Speakers and panelists will discuss pressing cyber challenges faced by Vermont businesses and offer insight, best practices, and practical approaches for protecting against cyber threats. 

Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, The Vermont Flannel Company and the Vermont Lake Monsters joined together on Centennial Field in Burlington, Vermont to celebrate their 2023 fundraising initiative with the presentation of more than $16,000 to the Vermont Foodbank. Legendary Lake Monster CHAMP was present to commemorate the occasion. For the 2023 baseball season, Vermont Flannel donated $500 to the Vermont Foodbank for every Lake Monster Home Run. The Lake Monsters literally “hit it out of the park” in 2023, with 20 home runs amounting to a total of $10,000 in funds. The Lake Monsters amplified the fundraising effort with an additional $6700+ in funds contributed to the Foodbank. 

Vermont Business Magazine Gifford Wellness invites community members to “Heart of the Matter,” a discussion with our expert care team on topics ranging from heart attack prevention to self-management, from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, in the Conference Center at Gifford Medical Center. Presenters include cardiologist Dr. Bruce Andrus; Leslie Osterman, PA-C; Dr. Courtney Riley; Emily Russell, RN; and Walter Ziske, care coordinator.