Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says bear hunting season starts in September and reminds hunters about the bear hunting regulations. Vermont has two bear hunting seasons.  The early season, which requires a special bear tag, starts September 1, and continues through November 10 with one exception.  Nonresident hunters using dogs cannot start bear hunting until September 15.  The late bear season begins November 11 and continues through November 19.  A hunter may only take one bear during the year. In addition to a hunting license, a bear hunter using a bow or crossbow must have a prior or current bow license or a certificate proving completion of a bow hunter education course.

Vermont Business Magazine The invasive insect known as Elm zigzag sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda; EZS) has been confirmed for the first time in Vermont. After receiving a report of potential EZS activity in northwestern Vermont, staff from both the Forest Health program of the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) and Plant Health program of the Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (AAFM), collected larval samples from affected elm foliage in May 2023. Samples were sent to the US Department of Agriculture Plant Protection and Quarantine program for identification, and EZS has now been officially confirmed within the state. Elm zigzag sawfly is native to east Asia, and feeds on multiple elm (Ulmus) species in, as the name implies, a zigzag pattern on leaves. When present in high numbers, full defoliation of elm trees can occur, and repeated years of defoliation could lead to crown dieback and/or tree mortality. 

Vermont Business Magazine The four members of the Vermont Declaration of Inclusion Initiative has received the Vermont Community Leadership Award for their work to bring the declaration to all 247 communities in Vermont. The award was presented at the Vermont Council on Rural Development’s 2023 Vermont Community Summit at the Vermont State University Randolph Campus. The award is given to highlight the work of community members who epitomize the best spirit of local community service, who volunteer their time, and who have made their community better. The statewide Declaration of Inclusion Initiative is spearheaded by four individuals – Norm Cohen, Bob Harnish, Barbara Noyes Pulling and Al Wakefield – all from the Rutland area.

Vermont Business Magazine Inc. revealed today that Sticky Brand ranks No. 614 on the 2023 Inc. 5000, its annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment — its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other household name brands gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

Vermont Business Magazine Learn how to salvage your storm-damaged family photos, artwork, textiles, media and other family treasures by meeting with preservation specialists at the Vermont State Fair and local Disaster Recovery Centers. These FEMA and Library of Congress “Save Your Family’s Treasures” preservation teams will demonstrate how to safely handle and salvage your damaged items, using techniques taught by Heritage Emergency National Task Force conservation experts.

Vermont Business Magazine Big Plan Holdings (BPH), a diversified family holding company with cross-sector investments in cannabis, real estate, music, entertainment, professional sports, and hospitality, has announced a strategic partnership with Silver Therapeutics, a New England based, locally owned and operated cultivation and dispensary business, on a mission to help communities around the region and across the country achieve their wellness and enjoyment goals through the use of high quality cannabis.  The partnership will see Big Plan Holdings (BPH) take a shared ownership stake across all of the operations and properties respective to each State, roughly amounting to $35 million USD.

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center has been awarded the 2023 Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness – GOLD Level Award by the Vermont Department of Health and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. This recognition highlights Howard Center's commitment to promoting health and wellness within the workplace. Howard Center’s Healthy Living and Wellness Committee is made up of dedicated staff members who ensure their co-workers have access to wellness tools including free memberships to apps that promote mindfulness, meditation, sleep assistance, and fitness support; workshops with partners Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and Invest EAP; and access to chiropractic and nutrition services. 

Vermont Business Magazine On August 17, 2023, the Vermont Futures Project will embark on a statewide tour, the latest research stage to inform the 2024 Economic Plan for Vermont. The tour's launch marks a milestone in the work of the Vermont Futures Project to answer the mission question of, “How can we use data to support the evolution of Vermont’s economy toward a thriving future full of opportunity for all? The Vermont Futures Project, an independent non-partisan organization led by Executive Director Kevin Chu, will convene community conversations, and make strategic stakeholder visits in all fourteen counties. 

Vermont Business Magazine Widewail of Burlington, the leading customer review and reputation management solution, today announced it has earned a top spot on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies. A three-year growth rate of 1,082% earned Widewail the rank of #544 on the annual list. Notably, the company was ranked #4 overall in its home state of Vermont. The ranking is driven by the growing impact of customer reviews and demand for reputation management across a variety of industries.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Law and Graduate School's Entrepreneurial Legal Laboratory (VLSell) has introduced a new legal assistance program supporting businesses impacted by recent flooding. Under this initiative, VLSell has coordinated with volunteer attorneys to provide free legal assistance and education to businesses navigating the legal complexities of flood recovery. VLSell has partnered in this initiative with New Orleans-based Emergency Legal Responders, the only organization in the U.S. focused on disaster rights advocacy. 

Saint Michael's College The 2023 Lake Champlain Boat Festival took place on Sunday August 6, and the Saint Michael’s Dragon Boat team leader, Allison Close ‘01 of the campus mailroom, shared this report: “We had a beautiful day to race. The Saint Michael's College Dragon Slayers team is made up of faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the College. Our first race of the day was against Champlain College and UVM. We did beat UVM by 2 seconds, but Champlain College was the overall winner of the race.

Vermont Business Magazine­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Vermont Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), locally representing ESGR, a Department of Defense agency, announced that Governor Phil Scott has signed a proclamation declaring August 2023 as Vermont Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Month. This proclamation mirrors the spirit and intent of a Presidential Proclamation to be signed later this month, giving gratitude to our many employers who have provided exceptional support to our citizen warriors.