Current News

VermontBiz Howard Center’s Zoe’s Race is set for Sunday morning, August 27 at Oakledge Park in Burlington. The annual event raises funds to make homes accessible for families served by Howard Center and includes a 1K fun run, a 5K run/walk, and a 10K run. 

Since 2009, Zoe’s Race has raised more than $270,000 from generous local businesses and individuals, enabling the completion of 34 home accessibility projects. Whether the modifications involve adding an entrance ramp, installing a stair lift, or modifying a bathroom, the improvements have a lasting positive impact in the daily lives of families. 

VermontBiz Several local nonprofit organizations have allied to co-host a virtual community conversation about the regional need for supported, safe, teen-led spaces. Winooski Partnership for Prevention and Big Heavy World with support from Vermont Afterschool and the Vermont Youth Center Alliance invite an open discussion about the social and economic value of providing safe spaces for teen-led programming and to explore the actions that might be taken collaboratively to address this need. The conversation via Zoom will be Thursday, July 27, 6pm.

VermontBiz Two Vermont cannabis producers – Family Tree and Vermontijuana – have become the first to bridge the gap between the state’s newborn cannabis industry into the realm of Vermont specialty foods as new members of the Vermont Fresh Network (VFN).
 

The Vermont Fresh Network has classified the two cannabis businesses as ‘Specialty Producers’, which it defines as, “specialty food and beverage makers, processors using primarily local ingredients ("primarily" means >50% of ingredients - excluding water - measured by weight, volume, or value; "local" ingredients are grown or raised in Vermont or within 30 miles of Vermont).”

VermontBiz “In the midst of the terrible flooding we are seeing, I want to thank all the emergency crews who have been working tirelessly to protect the lives and property of Vermonters during this very difficult time. I also want to thank the federal crews who are on their way from around our region and as far away as North Carolina.

VermontBiz The Killington World Cup Foundation (KWCF) has awarded 31 grants totaling $270,000 to Northeast area nonprofits in nine states for the upcoming ski season (23/24). Grant amounts ranged from ~ $1,500 to $18,000, and all recipients are registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or have a fiscal sponsor.

The KWCF grants were created with the aim of promoting winter sports and enriching communities. KWCF serves as a steward for this cause by providing financial assistance in various areas. In order to increase diversity and equity in sports, KWCF supports initiatives that focus on creating opportunities for underrepresented groups. This includes initiatives that help remove barriers to entry, such as providing equipment and training opportunities. Additionally, KWCF aims to create new growth opportunities in winter sports by improving safety mechanisms and infrastructure, as well as funding events that promote the sport to a wider audience. By doing so, KWCF hopes to foster a love for winter sports in individuals of all ages and backgrounds, and to promote a healthy and active lifestyle.

VermontBiz Warren residents will soon be able to enjoy a new pavilion in the town green for community gathering, relaxing, and socializing thanks to a recently launched crowdfunding campaign. The campaign is sponsored by the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development’s Better Places program and is led by the Town of Warren.

VermontBiz Average gasoline prices in Burlington have fallen 4.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.57/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 100 stations in Burlington. Prices in Burlington are 2.0 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 111.4 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 1.3 cents in the last week and stands at $3.79 per gallon.

VermontBiz More Vermonters now have access to fresh, local produce across the state through the “Farm to Family Coupon” program. $164,000 in coupons are now available to help eligible Vermonters buy locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets and farm stands. Coupons are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, and may be used at any of the 60 markets and farm stands enrolled in the program this summer.

Ever feel like there are never enough hours in the day? Most of us think the solution is better time management. But Porter Knight, a certified professional organizer based in Bristol, says there’s more to it than that. Along with providing tips and tricks to improve efficiency, Knight teaches her clients how to put their brains to work for them.

Only six state-chartered banks operate in Vermont. That’s down from 27 in 1989, the last time a new bank joined the list — the last time, that is, prior to the chartering of Bank of Burlington in August 2022.

The new financial institution was incorporated in June 2021. It then raised $2.85 million in seed capital from 19 individuals, including numerous prominent Burlington-area businesspeople, including the owners of Al's French Frys, SD Ireland Cos. and Larkin Realty.

The enterprise took its next major step in November 2021, when it applied for its state charter and FDIC insurance, Chief Operating Officer Victoria Bronner told VermontBiz.

Staffing issues, housing shortages and loss of businesses are all challenges right now in Chittenden County. Similar issues are hitting the entire state. But there are bright spots too. Development and redevelopment projects, solutions to the housing shortage issue, and new opportunities for businesses abound in Vermont’s largest county. 

VermontBiz The Scott Administration’s ARPA Tour in Chittenden County has been postponed as the Administration focuses on anticipated storms and flooding. An updated itinerary will be issued once the tour has been rescheduled.

Scott Administration officials will visit Chittenden County on Monday, July 10. This series of meetings and events will conclude the Administration’s county-by-county tour to discuss transformative funding opportunities through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Administration officials have moved through each county, having started last fall in Essex and Orleans counties.