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Vermont Business Magazine Thanks to VMEC's Supply Chain grant, you will have Vermont access for life on CONNEX Vermont from the day you register your company. And if you sign up by November 20, 2023, you will receive a FREE YEAR OF FULL NATIONAL ACCESS. Part of the nationwide MEP National Network and hosted by Vermont State University since 1995, VMEC operates as a not-for-profit with a primary mission, “to strengthen and empower Vermont manufacturers.” A local resource and trusted adviser to manufacturing enterprises of all sizes, the VMEC team brings expertise in consulting, coaching, hands-on implementation support, training and education for leaders and workers. 

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of the Dartmouth Health system, announced that it earned an “A” rating and garnered the distinction of “most socially responsible” in Vermont by the Lown Institute, a nonpartisan health care think tank. The only annual ranking to fully integrate racial inclusivity, community investment, and pay equity with traditional outcomes measures, the 2023-24 Lown Index for Social Responsibility evaluates more than 3,600 hospitals in the U.S. and uses 53 metrics to create the Index. The Index indicates the health system's dedication and commitment to healthy patients and the surrounding community.

Vermont Business Magazine State Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced that up to $53.5 million of State of Vermont Citizen Bonds will be offered for sale on August 24. It’s the state’s first bond offering in more than two years. Vermont residents and businesses will be given first priority to the bonds. Maturities will range from one to 10 years, with proceeds going toward previously issued state debt. Bonds may be purchased in $1,000 increments and must be transacted through a registered broker or dealer. The Treasurer’s Office does not sell the bonds. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH) is proud to unveil the Suicide Prevention Platform to address the urgent issue of suicide prevention in Vermont. The Platform, created in collaboration with the Center for Health and Learning, will be available to the public as an accessible tool containing resources and information on suicide prevention initiatives distilled into one comprehensive document. 

Vermont Business Magazine If you lost vital documents during Vermont’s July floods – such as birth and marriage certificates, Social Security cards, driver’s licenses or medical records – you can get replacements from various federal and state agencies.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont have risen again to $3.81/g, up 2.7 cents per gallon from last week's $3.78/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.54/g while the highest was $3.99/g, a difference of 45.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline is unchanged  in the last week, averaging $3.82/g today. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) today announced awards of approximately $4,461,000 in grants to municipalities for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvement projects. The combination of construction projects and planning grants will benefit cities and towns statewide with improved transportation connectivity and safety, and tangible economic benefits. Vermont continues to prioritize making communities and streets more usable for all modes of transportation. In downtowns and village centers especially, municipalities are responding to the need for better walking and bicycling facilities. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Arts Council is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Vermont Arts Awards recognizing outstanding individual and organizational contributions to the arts. Awards honor educators, artists, performers, advocates, administrators, volunteers, and scholars. Vermonters are recognized for their contributions in five categories.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service, The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) offers funding assistance to organic producers and handlers of agricultural products who have received organic certification through a USDA-accredited certifying agent. Certified organic operations may receive reimbursement of up to 75% of their direct certification costs paid between October 1 and September 30 annually, not to exceed $750 per certification scope.

Vermont Business Magazine The Disaster Recovery Center in Danville (Caledonia County) will cease operations at 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 19, and relocate to Cabot (Washington County). It will reopen at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 22, and continue regular hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Here’s the location: Cabot Town Hall, 3084 Main St. Cabot, VT.

Vermont State Police On 6-29-23, at approximately 1231 hours, Vermont State Police were notified of a motorcycle crash on DC line Road in Granby. A passerby came upon the scene of the crash where the operator, later identified as Michael Flanagan (49), was in critical condition and later succumbed to his injuries at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital.  The preliminary investigation indicates this motorcycle was the only vehicle involved. It appears the operator lost control and crashed into a ditch. 

by Tony Kitsos, University of Vermont Extension If there is one word that can be used to describe Jimmy and Sara Ackermann, it’s resilient. Although only in their mid-thirties, these hard-working Hardwick dairy farmers have the same dogged work ethic of generations of old-time New England farmers, something that was not lost on the judging committee for this year’s Vermont Dairy Farm of the Year award. Neither was their commitment to sustainability and making decisions to ‘right-size’ their operation to fit both their farm and family goals. The award, which was first handed out in 1962, is a coveted one that signals that the recipient is an exemplary dairy farm, one worth taking notice of for its outstanding herd, quality milk production, enviable pastures and commitment to dairying.