Current News

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.

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.