Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Today marks the start of the Fall 2023 semester at the University of Vermont, following a successful move-in week and Sunday’s traditional Convocation and Twilight Induction ceremony. The incoming class of 2027 is the most diverse group of new undergraduates in UVM’s history, with a 37% increase in international students over last year, a 16% increase in students who identify as BIPOC, and a higher percentage of first-generation college students. Fifty percent of the class is from outside New England, an indication of the university’s broadening national and international recognition and appeal — class members represent 45 states and 23 countries.

Vermont Business Magazine The Heritage Emergency National Task Force will present a webinar to help Vermont cultural institutions and arts organizations recover from damage caused by the July 7-17, 2023, severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides. The webinar, requested by the Vermont Arts & Culture Disaster and Resilience Network, will be offered via Zoom from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31. It is titled “Navigating Public Assistance for the Arts & Culture Sector.” Federal funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program is available for the arts and culture sector. The webinar will help demystify the PA process and explain how funding can help organizations recover. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, USDA announced $1,064,000 in combined funding to seven New Hampshire and Vermont communities through the Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program. Investments in the Twin States are all grants and are part of the national infrastructure initiative covering 36 states and 2 territories through various USDA programs. Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is investing $808 million to help rural cooperatives and utilities build and improve electric infrastructure and increase electric grid reliability and security, connecting hundreds of thousands of people in rural areas. This funding will also help provide clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater systems in rural areas.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont survivors of the July 7-17, 2023, severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides now have access to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Helpline. Experts will be available to offer advice on how to build your home back stronger and safer. Help is available to all homeowners, not only those affected by the recent storms. If anyone has questions about how to make their home safer, call the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Helpline at 833-336-2487. Listen to the prompts and select #3 for Vermont. FEMA mitigation experts are also available for in-person advice on rebuilding at Disaster Recovery Centers

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced  that “Vermont Strong” license plates are now available for purchase. All proceeds will support victims of the summer’s severe flooding. There are two different license plate options available. One says, “We Are Vermont Strong ’23” and the other also has the words, “Tough Too!” The license plates cost $35 each and retailers may place bulk orders for resale at their business. The two license plates can also be purchased in-person at all Vermont Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) locations starting September 1. In addition to the two plate options, there will be a limited, online only deal, where one can get a “Tough Too!” plate and a pair of Darn Tough “Vermont Strong” socks for $70.

Vermont Business Magazine The Generosity Bottle of Pure Vermont Maple Syrup is back! The first run of the Generosity Bottle was in 2021, and Mansfield Maple Products raised over $12,000 for Camp Ta-kum-ta, a summer camp in Vermont that serves children recovering from and fighting cancer. Once again, Mansfield Maple Products is partnering with Jen Ellis of Generosity Brings Joy, this time to raise money for Vermont flood relief. Last month the region was battered by severe storms that dumped up to eight inches of rain resulting in catastrophic flooding across Vermont. Entire towns were underwater, and communities isolated as roads washed out. Homes, businesses, and infrastructure were destroyed. Some people lost everything as the floodwaters poured into their homes. In Hardwick, Vermont a hotel was washed right off its foundation and carried away by the river. 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont today are $3.81 per gallon, down 0.6 cents per gallon from last week's $3.81/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.53/g while the highest was $3.92/g, a difference of 39.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 4.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.78/g today. The national average is up 5.8 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 3.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets This summer's severe weather, with flooding and persistent rain, has created big challenges for many farmers in putting up, and/or sourcing feed for their livestock. Thousands of acres of hay and corn were lost to the July floods - and the near constant rain has impacted feed growth and kept many famers from being able to access their fields as the ground is simply too wet. 

by Joyce Marcel, Vermont Business Magazine The French have a phrase for it: “coup de foudre.” It means a kind of emotional lightning strike that changes your life. For cheese-maker Adeline Druart, it happened twice in 2003. Coming over from her native France for a dairy internship, she fell in love with the man who would later become her husband. And then she fell in love with Vermont. Druart, 43, is the former president of Vermont Creamery; shifting from butter and cheese to beer, she becomes CEO of Lawson’s Finest Liquids this September.

Vermont Business Magazine This Labor Day Weekend, the picturesque town of Bennington, Vermont will not only transform into the aromatic hub known as “Garlic Town, USA”, but also showcase its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness. While celebrating garlic and agriculture, the producers are taking steps to ensure the festival leaves a minimal carbon footprint, highlighting Vermont's dedication to both its community and the environment. 

Vermont Agency of Transportation 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 August 28. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.   

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington residents will soon be able to enjoy a new safe harbor on the Lake Champlain waterfront designed to ensure 100% accessibility for all, including community members with physical disabilities thanks to a recently launched crowdfunding campaign. The campaign is sponsored by the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development’s Better Places program and is led by the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center. If the campaign reaches its $20,000 goal by deadline October 25th, 2023 the “Lake Access For All” campaign will receive a matching grant of $40,000 from DHCD’s Better Places program.