Current News

VermontBiz The Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs will be touring flood damage in downtown Barre with Mayor Jacob Hemmerick and local legislative leaders at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 15, followed by a hearing on flood-related housing damage from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the State House.

VermontBiz The Vermont Bond Bank today announced the first of two closings related to a $46.38 million bond issuance that will finance $26.69 million in new projects in seven towns, two school districts, and one city.

The issuance will additionally provide over 20 Vermont communities a total of $1.5 million in interest savings on existing loans. The savings will benefit Burlington and other flood-impacted communities.

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc (NASDAQ:CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company, today announced that it has priced the previously announced offering of up to $35.0 million aggregate principal amount of New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (the “Issuer”) Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds (Casella Waste Systems, Inc. Project) Series 2020R-2 (the “Bonds”) to be issued under an indenture between the Issuer and the bond trustee, dated as of September 1, 2020 (the “Indenture”). The Bonds represent the drawdown (which would no longer be available to the Company if not occurring by September 2, 2023) of the remainder of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2020, the initial proceeds of which, in the amount of $40.0 million, were issued in September 2020. 

Vermont Business Magazine Lamoille Health Partners today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Family Practice Associates, an independent primary care provider located at 272 North Main Street in Cambridge, Vermont. Pending final regulatory approval, the transaction will bring a third family medicine practice location to the growing Lamoille Health Partners quality care network. The acquisition aligns with Lamoille Health Partners' commitment to expand consumer access to health and wellness services in the Lamoille Valley to create healthy, thriving communities.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) will launch a new program called CONNEX Vermont on August 22, 2023 which is designed to strengthen the local and domestic manufacturing supply chain. CONNEX Vermont is a free, online manufacturer database and connectivity platform for Vermont manufacturers to connect with each other, find local suppliers, discover new business opportunities and manage their supply chains. The goal of the platform is to increase manufacturing growth among Vermont manufacturers along with helping Vermont suppliers better connect with large U.S. manufacturers who need their services. 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont have risen to $3.80 per gallon, up 4 cents per gallon from last week's $3.76/g. The lowest price in the state is $3.49/g in Ludlow while the highest is $3.93/g in Morrisville. The national average price of gasoline fell 1 cent per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.81/g today. 

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is making it easy for Vermonters to switch to driving an electric vehicle (EV) with its new Try-an-EV program letting customers experience what it is like to own and drive an EV, without a long-term commitment. The subscription service allows customers to select a vehicle and schedule delivery online with a package including charger installation, insurance, maintenance, and 24/7 access to an EV experience team to answer all your questions about driving electric. The service makes it simple for customers to compare the driving experience of different EVs, or simply to see what the switch to EV driving is really like during your commute every day, instead of just a short test drive.

Vermont Business Magazine After three years of planning, the Catamount Community Forest (CCF) in Williston will begin forest management to enhance the forest’s ability to adapt to climate change. In partnership with the University of Vermont, the CCF, which is owned by the Town of Williston, is part of a long-term research project called “Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change,” which will help build a better understanding of how forests can be managed responsibly and adaptively in a changing climate.

Vermont Business Magazine Join Ethan Tapper, the Chittenden County Forester, and Andrea Shortsleeve of the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife for a wildlife walk of the Catamount Community Forest in Williston. We will walk through the Community Forest and talk about what wildlife are using it, and how it might be managed to provide habitat for a greater diversity of critters. We will also visit the area of Catamount that will be managed this September and discuss how this management will benefit Vermont's native fauna. 

Vermont Business Magazine Emergency grant funding will be available to assist Vermont residents, including homeowners and renters, who were impacted by the July 2023 flood disaster, to replace flood-damaged and flood-destroyed appliances and equipment. Current FEMA reports estimate over 4,000 residences were impacted. This emergency funding will support addressing this urgent financial need. Efficiency Vermont will utilize existing, cost-effective programs, supply chain partners, and delivery mechanisms to ensure supply availability. The total amount is $10 million and capped at $10,000 each.

Vermont Business Magazine TD Bank Group (TD) announced today that applications are now open for the 2023 TD Ready Challenge. This year, TD is seeking to support eligible non-profit and charitable organizations focused on finding innovative solutions that address systemic barriers to affordable housing across the continuum from transitional to permanent homes, and to help increase access to affordable and stable housing for those who need it most. There are a total of 10 grants available of either CDN $1 million or USD $1 million, depending on the country of residence of the applicant. Vermont applications are open until September 13th, 2023. 

Vermont Business Magazine Hikers and rock climbers can return to Vermont cliffs now that peregrine falcon nesting season has ended.  The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has confirmed that all the young falcons have learned to fly and should not be disturbed by human presence on the cliffs. According to Audubon biologist Margaret Fowle, who coordinates the monitoring effort on behalf of the Fish and Wildlife Department, biologists and volunteers monitored peregrine pairs that occupied at least 50 Vermont cliffs in early spring and summer.