Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.78 per gallon, up 0.8 cents per gallon from last week's $3.78/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.51/g while the highest was $3.99/g, a difference of 48.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has risen 2.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.82/g today. 

Vermont Business Magazine More than 80,000 Vermont students received $120 in federal pandemic electronic transfer benefits (P-EBT) benefits early this month. During the 2022/2023 school year, all public schools in Vermont and some independent schools offered free meals to all students. Because of this, all Vermont students attending one of these participating schools received the federal summer P-EBT benefit of $120 per child to help with food costs while children are home from school this summer. This program is a great way for families to stretch their summer food budgets, support local farmers and the local economy, and bring valuable federal dollars into Vermont. 

Vermont Business Magazine The US Small Business Administration is reaching the business network in Vermont and allow businessowners to take advantage of the disaster loans available to help them recuperate after the severe storms on July 7, 2023 covered by this declared Presidential Disaster Declaration SBA#18016 – FEMA 4720. Disaster assistance is available from SBA to provide residents and business owners as well as private nonprofit organizations and churches impacted by affected by severe storms and flooding in Vermont that began on July 7. 

Vermont Business Magazine Little Patakha, a Vermont-based, minority, and woman-owned children’s brand, has completed its third Kickstarter campaign for its newest product, A Piece A Part jigsaw puzzle, surpassing its $30,000 goal. The new puzzle will be permanently added to its growing array of books, dolls, and toys that promote representation and diversity in the resources available to parents and children.  

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union (VFCU) is proud to announce its commitment to helping the communities affected by recent flooding in the state by pledging a $10,000 donation to the Vermont Main Street Flood Recovery Fund. The fund, established in partnership with local authorities and community organizations, will provide grants to small business owners impacted by the July 10th flood to cover costs such as equipment replacement, supplies, and help with clean-up. 

by Stephen Leffler, MD In July, the UVM Medical Center joined other hospitals across the state in submitting our fiscal year 2024 budget to our regulator, the Green Mountain Care Board. Our budget contains just what is necessary to provide the care our patients need, while rebuilding our capacity to prepare for the future. As a longtime doctor here in Vermont, and as President of the University of Vermont Medical Center, I want to share how we build our budget and why this year’s review process by the Green Mountain Care Board is pivotal for the future of the very health of our state. 

Vermont Business Magazine Defense attorneys Criminal Defense analyzed data from the United States Sentencing Commission for the fiscal year 2022 to determine the categories of crimes for which each state receives the most sentences. Drug trafficking comes in as the most sentenced crime with a rate of 9.74 federal sentences per 100,000. Drug trafficking crimes involve knowingly manufacturing, dispensing, or distributing controlled substances or counterfeit controlled substances meant to be passed off as the real thing. Firearms ranked second, theft was third and drug possession was fourth.

Vermont Business Magazine In support of flood recovery efforts in Vermont, Community Bank is pleased to announce it will donate $100,000 to the Vermont Main Street Flood Recovery Fund. Managed by Capstone Community Action, the fund recently launched to support small businesses affected by the record-breaking flooding.

by Attorney General Charity Clark Like many Vermonters, I spent much of July mucking out basements, delivering supplies, and supporting fundraisers for our Vermont neighbors impacted by the disastrous flooding. It’s truly heartbreaking to see my parents’ hometown, Ludlow, our capital city, Montpelier, and so many other communities brought to their knees. My office stands ready to do what we can to help residents and businesses get back on their feet. 

Vermont State Police A suspect in a June double shooting in Leicester that left one man dead and his brother critically injured has been arrested on an unrelated federal charge in Maine. Zaquikon Roy, 35, of Brooklyn, New York, was arrested Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine, on a federal charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He made an initial appearance Friday in U.S. District Court in Portland, Maine, and was ordered detained pending his transfer to Vermont for further proceedings. Additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Vermont is setting aside $4 million in federal financial assistance to help Vermont's agricultural producers recover from recent flooding. This funding applies to resource concerns that threaten the ongoing agricultural operation or create an imminent threat to agricultural operations. The only eligible practices under this EQIP-Disaster Assistance signup are the following seven practices: Cover Crop; Critical Area Planting; Fence; Pasture and Hay Planting; Mulching; Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till; Feed Management.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), the statewide, nonprofit business association with a mission to leverage the power of business for positive social and environmental impact, has announced the 2023 recipients for four awards honoring Vermont leaders in social equity, environmental responsibility, and sustainable economic development. The date and location for the21st Annual VBSR Awards Ceremony and Dinner have been set for Thursday, October 5, 5-8:30 p.m., at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center.