Current News

Agency of Commerce and Community Development FEMA officially added two additional counties to the federal Individual Assistance Disaster Declaration signed by President Joseph Biden last week. The declaration now allows residents of Orange and Caledonia to apply for federal assistance for personal losses during this month’s storm and floods. Chittenden, Lamoille, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor counties had previously been approved.

Vermont State Police On 07/18/2023, at approximately 2044 hours, the Vermont State Police- New Haven Barracks was dispatched to a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on Vermont Route 22A in the Town of Orwell. Preliminary investigation indicated Vehicle 1, a 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan, was traveling south on Vermont Route 22A,  when it lost control and exited the lane and entered the eastbound shoulder. Vehicle 1 subsequently re-entered the roadway where it slid on its side, caught on fire and subsequently came to a position of uncontrolled rest in the northbound lane. The operator, identified as Michael Mattison (62) sustained fatal injuries.

Vermont Business Magazine Fidium Fiber is expanding service coverage of its all-fiber internet network in Pownal, with construction to bring Fidium to more than 1,400 local homes and businesses. Construction has already started in some locations, with further build-out scheduled for the coming weeks. Through this expansion, hundreds of homes and small businesses in the community will have access to Fidium’s multi-gig speed fiber internet service.   

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), and State Treasurer Michael Pieciak announced on Friday multiple initiatives to provide financial support to businesses and municipalities impacted by the severe flooding. Scott acknowledged that this bridge funding and only part of assistance that Vermont businesses will need in order to recover. Earlier Friday, community leaders in Montpelier indicated that it would take $20 million for businesses just in the state capital to restart. In addition, the Treasurer’s Office will be accelerating $11 million in State payments to 40 Vermont towns most impacted by last week’s flooding.

Vermont Business Magazine Two Disaster Recovery Centers will open at 8 a.m., July 22, in Rutland and Washington counties to help residents affected by the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides kickstart their recovery. The joint state-FEMA centers are temporary facilities that will help survivors apply for FEMA assistance, upload documents needed for their application and answer questions in person.

Vermont Business Magazine US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has approved Governor Phil Scott’s request for a Secretarial Disaster Designation in response to the May frost event experienced by many produce growers in Vermont. This Secretarial Disaster Designation from USDA makes farm operators across Vermont eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have 8 months from the date of a Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans.

Vermont Business Magazine Two additional counties have been added to the federal Individual Assistance Disaster Declaration signed by President Joseph Biden last week. The declaration now allows residents of Orange and Caledonia to apply for federal assistance for personal losses during this month’s storm and floods. Chittenden, Lamoille, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor counties had previously been approved. Those who have personal losses should report damage to www.vermont211.org or by calling 211. The online reporting tool is preferred. If FEMA does not designate a county, no one in that county will get FEMA funding, regardless of the level of damage. Scott said even a damaged driveway should be reported to 211.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas made clear today that her office is open for business and ready to serve the public. She emphasized, however, that she is empowering the Vermont Secretary of State (VTSOS) agency family to make helping others during this time of need a priority. She also announced some key response efforts the agency is undertaking in the wake of the severe weather and devastation throughout the state in the last week. The agency’s Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) is working on several fronts to assist in storm response. OPR will be issuing temporary emergency licenses, at no charge, to out of state licensed professionals during the declared state of emergency to assist Vermonters.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Supreme Court has rejected the latest appeal by opponents of a proposed affordable housing community on Alice Holway Drive in Putney. The ruling by the state’s highest court affirms the Environmental Court’s decision earlier this year rejecting an appeal to the project’s zoning permit. It marks the latest chapter of a 16-month legal process that began in March 2022 when an appeal was filed contesting the permit and delaying progress of the 25-unit mixed income development. the delay in timing caused by the lengthy appeal process increased the cost of the project 14 percent, from $10.3 million to $11.7 million. Construction is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2024. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) wants to hear from you. VCBB has released Vermont’s Draft BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) Five-Year Action Plan and Draft BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 1 and wants your comments. The drafts are the first set of plans to explain how the state will spend Vermont’s $229 million federal allocation to expand high-speed internet access. It is a key priority, and federal requirement, for VCBB to incorporate public feedback into the plans. Input was gathered through listening sessions VCBB held in person throughout the state and virtually last month, as well as through a public survey, emails, phone calls, and letters. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Foundation announced today that it has raised $2.5 million in flood relief gifts and commitments and this week distributed $330,600 in grants and aid statewide. The money from the VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund 2023  will support needs including temporary and transitional housing, clean-up of homes, businesses and downtowns, and aid to farmers who lost an entire season in the devastating flooding earlier this month. Another round of grants will be made next week, bringing the expected total to over $500,000 distributed from the fund, with more to follow soon after.

Vermont Business Magazine On July 20, 2023, the Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) announced the availability of federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits for Vermonters affected by severe flooding starting July 7, 2023. Individuals residing, working, or scheduled to work in Chittenden, Lamoille, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor counties may be eligible for DUA benefits.  All applicants must apply for regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) before applying for DUA benefits.