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by Joy Choquette, Vermont Business Magazine With its bucolic rolling hills, small towns and diverse industries, Addison County is an engaging place to live and work. Located on the western central border of the state, the county has approximately 37,600 residents, according to the US Census Bureau. Middlebury, the county seat, is home to the county’s two largest employers: Middlebury College, with 1,200 employees, and Porter Medical Center, with just over 700 staff. Rounding out the top five are Collins Aerospace, in Vergennes, and Counseling Service of Addison County and The Residence at Otter Creek, both in Middlebury. 

VermontBiz This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will have traffic impacts on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont. Some projects are not included in the report this week as they have been temporarily suspended due to flood damage, the work site is inaccessible, or the contractors were repositioned to assist AOT with emergency response and repairs. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is inviting all Vermonters thinking about their community and the future of our state to attend the 2023 Vermont Community Leadership Summit on Tuesday, August 15 at Vermont State University Randolph Campus hosted by the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD). Designed in partnership with a diverse planning committee of experts throughout Vermont, the 2023 Vermont Community Leadership Summit agenda is structured to strengthen skills, capacity, and opportunities for the future for dedicated community builders from across the State, along with people from non-profit, business, and government sectors.

VermontBiz Bennington Battle Day, a recognized Vermont State Holiday, honors the historic victory of colonial forces over the British on August 16, 1777. Vermont State Historic Sites will be free to the public on Wednesday, August 16 to celebrate the 246th anniversary of this significant event in American history.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has proclaimed August as Child Support Awareness Month in Vermont, commemorating the critical role the Child Support program plays in the lives of children, families, and communities. Established by President Bill Clinton in 1995, the proclamation recognizes the national observance of Child Support Awareness Month to help ensure that all children have the financial support they need to thrive.     

VermontBiz The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation was notified that a large-scale data security breach has compromised the personally identifiable information of roughly 42,000 Vermonters and over 38 million consumers nationwide. The breach occurred when the CLOP Ransomware Gang, a known threat actor, infiltrated the MOVEit file transfer software used by many organizations both public and private. The Department first issued a consumer alert about this breach on July 19, 2023. 

Vermont Business Magazine A Disaster Recovery Center opened today, August 11, in Montpelier (Washington County) to help Vermont residents affected by the July severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides. The joint recovery center, a temporary facility established in partnership between the town, the state of Vermont and FEMA, will help survivors apply for FEMA assistance, upload documents and answer questions in person.

Vermont Business Magazine iSun, Inc (NASDAQ: ISUN), a leading solar energy and clean mobility infrastructure company in Williston, has announced final financial results for the second quarter of 2023 ended June 30, 2023. iSun reported second quarter 2023 revenue of $25.0 million, up 51.8% from $16.5 million in the same period in 2022. YTD revenue was $42.4 million, representing a $10.8 million or 34.2% increase over the same period in 2022. Revenue growth was driven primarily by the fulfillment of commercial and industrial projects across multiple states receiving notice to proceed as well as our residential backlog; total backlog was $161.8 million as of June 30, 2023. 

VermontBiz The University of Vermont Medical Center is among the 2,600 hospitals nationwide that participate in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® initiative to improve outcomes for Americans who experience heart disease or stroke.

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively. Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke or heart attack. These health crises require swift and proven treatment to ensure the best outcomes for patients. Studies show patients can recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.

VermontBiz Beginning today, 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. 

"NRCS recognizes the incredible hardships faced by producers across the state of Vermont," said Travis Thomason, Vermont State Conservationist. "In difficult times like these, it is incredibly important for us to stand by those affected by the flooding so we can get back to being our best."

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Cheese Council has announced the return of the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival in a new location featuring some 40 cheesemakers as well as nearly that many specialty food and beverage producers. On Sunday, August 13 from 11:30 to 4:00, the Festival will be open to the public at the new location, The Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro, VT. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont's recent storms show just how much damage flooding can cause. Insuring your home or business with a policy from the National Flood Insurance Program can help you prepare for – and recover from – the next flood. The National Flood Insurance Program helps people in areas at high risk of flooding get insured. Managed by FEMA and delivered by a network of more than 50 insurance companies, the NFIP provides flood insurance to property owners, renters and businesses to help them recover faster when floodwaters recede.