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by Sergeant Denis Nunez, Vermont National Guard The Vermont National Guard Soldiers’ quick reaction force worked with North Carolina and Massachusetts urban search and rescue teams to rescue and relocate 27 people and their pets in Cambridge. U.S. Army 1st Lt. Paul Pennoyer and Staff Sgt. Neils Huisman, Vermont National Guard, used Light Medium Tactical Vehicles to aid flood-affected residents; their efforts resulted in the successful rescue and relocation to safer areas away from the flood zone.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) addressed the Senate floor yesterday on the urgent need to deliver federal support to Vermonters recovering from severe storms that produced up to 9 inches of rain in some parts of the state and caused catastrophic flooding in many communities. In his remarks, Senator Welch described the damage he saw on a tour of the state yesterday with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Congresswoman Becca Balint (D-VT). 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline price in Vermont is $3.59 per gallon, which is up 1 cent over the last week and over the last month and $1.10/g lower than a year ago. The lowest price in the state today is $3.30/g in Middlebury while the highest was $3.99/g in Milton. So far, there does not seem to be much impact on gas prices from the severe flooding across Vermont. The national average price of gasoline is unchanged in the last week, averaging $3.51/g today.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) and Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) are urging safety and alerting customers that forecasters are calling for severe thunderstorms with wind gusts and possible flash floods starting Thursday afternoon. The already saturated ground from the historic flooding increases the potential for power outages. Road conditions are hazardous in places with closures from the flooding. Always stay far away from any downed trees or lines and call your local utility and first responders to report damage.

The Agency of Agriculture has compiled response & recovery information and resources in recognition of the ongoing State of Emergency. We recognize many of you are still in the midst of dangerous conditions. The devastation that has impacted our state's agricultural communities has been severe and destructive. We are thinking dearly of people who have lost some or all, and hope that we can begin working on recovery soon. Please focus on health and safety first, and only begin recovery and documentation efforts once it is safe to do so. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Foundation announced Tuesday that it has created a fund to help the people and communities of the state recover from devastating flooding that constitutes one of the worst natural disasters Vermont has ever seen. Donations to the VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund 2023 will help with immediate and longer-term efforts to assist Vermont people and communities. Flooding caused by torrential rains over the past five days has put downtowns under water, forced residents to evacuate from their homes, washed out roads and bridges, destroyed crops, and threatened dams.

Vermont Business Magazine The devastating floods that struck our communities this week have left many small businesses and downtown centers in ruins. In response to this crisis, Todd Bailey, known for his successful efforts in providing grants to small businesses after Tropical Storm Irene, has organized new relief initiative. The Vermont Main Street Flood Relief Fund is commencing its fundraising campaign today, with the aim of extending financial assistance to those severely impacted by the recent flooding.

Vermont Business Magazine To help identify and address barriers workers face regarding access to state unemployment insurance benefits, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $9.5 million in equity grants to Arkansas, Louisiana and Vermont. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, the grants will allow states to implement projects that seek to remove barriers related to race, age, ethnicity, language proficiency, disability status, geographic location or other systemic issues that make it difficult for people to access unemployment insurance benefits.

Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles The DMV offices in Montpelier and St Johnsbury are closed. For customers impacted by the closures, we are opening the White River Junction office as an alternative site on Thursday, July 13, 2023. All other offices remain open currently. Appointments are strongly encouraged.

VermontBiz The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will once again be offering Teen Conservation Weekend to be held at the Edward F. Kehoe Conservation Camp in Castleton on August 18–20.

“We are pleased to announce a fun and exciting opportunity for teens ages 15-17.  Teen Conservation Weekend allows us to provide teens with an exciting weekend of quality environmental education,” says Hannah Phelps, Camp Coordinator.  “Campers will arrive Friday evening and immediately begin participating in Let’s Go Fishing and Hunter Education programing before backpacking out to a remote pond for an evening of camping and fishing.”

Vermont Business Magazine In response to the State of Emergency declared July 9 by Governor Phil Scott following heavy rains and anticipated floodings, the Commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation announced July 12 that the Department is preemptively allowing property and casualty insurance carriers to use individual adjusters not licensed in Vermont. Insurers can contact the Department for further guidance. 

Vermont Business Magazine Polaris Inc (NYSE: PII), a global leader in powersports, in partnership with the National Forest Foundation (NFF) has announced the 2023 recipients of the Polaris Fund for Outdoor Recreation grants. The partnership between Polaris and NFF was established in 2021 with the Polaris Foundation pledging to donate $5 million to the NFF over five years to provide grants and project funding to support outdoor recreation and conservation work to help protect forests and surrounding lands for years to come. The Polaris Fund has allocated funds towards the Stagecoach Trail OHV project (Green Mountain National Forest). This project will address drainage issues and reduce erosion concerns to benefit users, safeguard water resources, and protect critical habitats for species.