Current News

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, the town of Bennington, Vermont, was transformed into Garlic Town, USA for a day-long celebration of all things garlic and the last days of summer. Over 7,200 residents and visitors from across the country gathered to savor the pungent delight of garlic in its many forms, making this year's event a great success. Organized by the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Garlic Town, USA 2023 aimed to not only celebrate garlic, but to focus on agriculture, arts and community. With more than 125 vendors, various cooking demonstrations, live music, two main bars, kids’ activities and an array of garlic-infused activities, the festival exceeded expectations. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Concert Artists Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation recently awarded $120,000 in grant funding to support live classical music performances in Chittenden County. The grant awards, to be paid over two years, support programming from June 2023 to June 2025. The fund was formed in 2005 with the goal of supporting and encouraging live classical music in Chittenden County. The program has awarded over $950,000 to classical music organizations performing in Chittenden County since its launch.

Vermont Business Magazine This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will have traffic impacts on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont for the week of September 18, 2023. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.   

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Flannel Co. and Vermont Teddy Bear announced on Friday the launch of a new product: the Vermont Flannel Bear. Dressed in a cozy Vermont Flannel shirt, the 15” handcrafted honey bear is designed to give and receive a lifetime of love, comfort, and cuddles. Featuring fully-jointed, classic Vermont Teddy Bear construction and an organic cotton shirt complete with a Vermont Flannel label and buttons, Vermont Flannel Bear is a beloved heirloom gift for kids ages 3 to 103. Using a combination of ultra-soft organic cotton flannel, the softest fur, and 100% recycled stuffing, each bear is meticulously hand cut and sewn in Vermont by Vermont artisans.

Vermont Business Magazine The Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce is putting out an appeal for its chamber members to update their web listings and contact information in preparation for the organization’s new database and web site programs. The chamber is partnering with a nationwide company that specifically caters to chambers. The new system will integrate seamlessly across the organization’s five member-based data programs: the web site, database, directory, newsletter and financial software.

Vermont Business Magazine Since 1983, Primmer attorneys have been recognized as the Best Lawyers in America. For the past 40 years, the law firm of Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer has had attorneys named on the Best Lawyers in America list. This year, the firm had 21 attorneys recognized by the 2024 edition of the publication. Primmer also had three attorneys named as the prestigious “Lawyer of the Year”, an award that only is awarded to one attorney for that specific practice area in a specific business community.

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.