Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont has announced its intention to partner with AAM 15 Management LLC, to build undergraduate housing on the east side of its main campus. A letter of intent was signed today by UVM and AAM 15. The $100 million “Catamount Woods” will accommodate approximately 540 undergraduate students in apartments near the southern edge of Centennial Woods. UVM already leases the property to AAM 15, owners of the neighboring DoubleTree Hotel, for use as a parking lot.

Vermont State Police On August 11, 2023, at approximately 7:22 PM Troopers from the Rutland Barracks were dispatched to a 2-car motor vehicle crash on US Route 4 at Craigs Lane in Mendon. Preliminary investigation determined Vehicle #1 was traveling eastbound on US Route 4 in the travel lane. Vehicle #1 left the travel lane and struck a guardrail. Vehicle #1 then crossed back across the travel lane, where it collided with Vehicle #2, also traveling East in the passing lane. Upon striking vehicle #2, Vehicle #1 rolled onto its side. Both vehicles came to a position of rest in the east bound lane. Operator #1 was pronounced deceased at the scene.  

Vermont Business Magazine Union Mutual Insurance Company and EcoNet Controls are proud to announce an innovative partnership to help protect the homes and properties of Union Mutual policyholders. The partnership subsidizes the cost of a smart water shutoff solution designed to prevent unexpected water losses resulting from appliance malfunction and frozen pipes. This partnership is part of Union Mutual’s effort to protect its policyholders from risks associated with the increased frequency of severe weather events, such as the Polar Vortex event of February 2023. 

Vermont Business Magazine One month after a devasting flood the economic reality is becoming clearer.  Vermont’s farmers, agricultural businesses, and communities sustained millions of dollars in damage and face strong head winds to recover. To date the damage is estimated at over $12 million and 18,000 acres. 

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.