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Vermont Business Magazine Residents can bring their flood-related hazardous materials to the State of Vermont hazardous materials collection site at the former Middlesex Police Barracks at 1078 U.S. Route 2 in Middlesex or to local collection locations and events. Please check online before you go to a collection location as information may change. Collections will begin as early as Saturday, July 29, 2023. Businesses with hazardous materials can bring up to ten (10) 5-gallon containers of flood-related hazardous materials to the State of Vermont collection site in Middlesex, Vermont, or call local collection locations and events to ask if they are accepting hazardous waste from businesses.  

by Matt Dunne, Founder and Executive Director, CORI Today is one of the most significant days of the year for communities across our Rural Innovation Network. The exact date changes from one year to the next, but the impact never wavers: It’s deadline day for communities applying for a 2023 EDA Build to Scale Venture Challenge grant.

Vermont Business Magazine According to a new report – commissioned in 2020 by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chairman of the Committee on the Budget, and released yesterday by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) – the gap in retirement account balances between middle- and high-income older households more than doubled from 2007 to 2019. While the median account balance for high-income older households nearly doubled from $333,000 to $605,000 over that time, the median account balance for middle-income older households stagnated at about $64,300 – nine times less than the median balance of high-income older households.

Vermont Business Magazine Stowe Area Association (SAA), the region's official destination leadership organization, is proud to announce a new strategic vision in response to the growing need to balance the local visitor economy with the well-being of the community. Known outwardly as Go Stowe, SAA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit business association dedicated to enhancing the visitor experience while supporting member businesses. SAA plays a vital role in destination marketing and stewardship, considering the needs of visitors, the environment, and the local community. The visitor economy significantly contributes to Vermont's annual $3.2 billion tourism economy.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor announced today that Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are now available to Vermonters in Orleans County, in addition to the eight counties first announced on July 20, 2023, and July 26, 2023. Under DUA program guidance, individuals in Orleans County have until Monday, August 28, 2023, to file a DUA application. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) spoke on the Senate floor late last night to call for additional support for Vermont’s farmers as they recover from catastrophic flooding. The office of Governor Phil Scott estimates that 10,000 acres of farmland have been damaged by flooding. That number is expected to grow as more farmers report crop losses and property damage.  In his remarks, Sen. Welch urged Vermont farmers to document and report crop losses and property damage. He also urged his colleagues to rally in support of Vermont farmers and secure the resources needed to help Vermonters recover fully from the July 2023 storm. 

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Electric Department (BED) and Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) issued a peak alert for today/Friday, July 28. BED members are asked to reduce their energy usage from 5-7 pm today. VEC members from 5-9 pm, to reduce energy costs by reducing usage during a peak event. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Foundation announced today that it has awarded another $670,500 in grants to help individuals, businesses, farms, and downtowns recover from the devastating flooding across the state earlier this month. The new round of grants from the Foundation’s VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund 2023 follows $330,600 in grants awarded last week. The total amount awarded from the fund now exceeds $1 million. The fund has raised $4.4 million in gifts and commitments since it was announced on July 11. That total includes $2.8 million in gifts and $1.6 million in pledges.

Vermont Business Magazine After the recent July floods, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking recovery efforts to prioritize river resilience and help impacted fish populations when possible. Rivers with features like fallen trees, large boulders, and winding channels provide better fish habitat and are more resilient to floods.  These features reduce flood impacts for landowners and downstream communities by slowing flood waters.  They also provide fish with shelter and places to forage that can be the difference between successful recovery and lasting impacts for fish populations.

Vermont Business Magazine Gardener’s Supply Company, one of the nation’s largest multi-channel marketers of gardening products and accessories, has announced a new CEO, Rebecca Gray, who assumes the role following the retirement of Cindy Turcot, who had held the position since 2020. Rebecca brings nearly 20 years of experience in the e-commerce space. She joined Gardener’s Supply Company in 2018 as Vice President of Merchandising, eventually overseeing all of the company’s Merchandising and Marketing activities. 

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) If you feel your home or business is unsafe, take necessary measures to protect your safety, including leaving the building. If you think work is needed immediately to stabilize the river, you may hire a contractor to do the work as an emergency protective measure, under authorization of the town. Contact your town to alert them of the issue, as they are required to report within 72 hours. A DEC River Management Engineer will get there as soon as their schedule allows. There may be additional work required at a later date if emergency work further destabilizes the river.  

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), the statewide, nonprofit business association with a commitment to advance a just, thriving and transformative economy that works for all people and the planet, has announced that nominations for the 22nd Annual VBSR Awards are open and will be accepted through Monday, July 31. Criteria and nomination forms for each award can be located by accessing the main VBSR Awards page. Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged. Any individual employed by a VBSR member who is a socially responsible enterprise is eligible to be nominated. You do not have to be a member to nominate.