Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) announced today that it received $1.44 million in federal funds to rehabilitate the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail (MVRT) through earmarks secured by Senator Bernie Sanders. The $1.8 million project will improve one of Vermont’s critical rail trails and create economic development opportunities along the corridor. The fully rehabilitated trail will connect to the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail and Canada’s trail network, creating one of the largest regional trail networks in the northeastern United States. The MVRT is one of Vermont’s longest trails and spans 26.1 miles from St. Albans City to Richford.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are up one cent in the last week to $3.53 per gallon, as prices here have flattened out somewhat at the moment. Prices are up 19 cents in the last month and are 14 cents higher than a year ago. The national average price of gasoline has risen 9.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.49/g today. The national average is up 33.3 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 14.1 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets The Vermont Farm Bureau is hosting a Winter Workshop Series featuring three great topics. These workshops are free in-person opportunities in February, March, and April. The full schedule is below!

The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual membership meeting with over 120 members in attendance at the Park McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion Carriage Barn on Friday, January 27th 2023. Per the bylaws of the 501c6 nonprofit organization, the board of directors must gather the membership annually to discuss the business of the organization. Over the years the annual membership meeting has grown more into a social gathering with the Chamber promoting it as “The Biggest Business Night of the Year.” The meeting also included live music, food and bar, a complimentary sparkling beverage for all attending and the illustrious Chamber Awards.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE) program is a federally funded, short-term pandemic recovery initiative created to help restaurants, farmers, and eaters through the acute economic challenges of the COVID pandemic. The program, which began on August 1, 2020, will end on March 31, 2023. VEE Hubs have distributed approximately 3.5 million meals throughout all 14 counties, generating more than $34M in revenue for participating restaurants.

Vermont Business Magazine The World Wide Data Vault Consortium 2023, hosted annually by Data Vault Alliance at the Stoweflake Resort in Stowe, Vermont, USA, will open this year with a new Bonus Business Track on Monday, May 1st. A spokesperson for DVA explained this addition to the regular schedule, noting, "The Premium Business Monday Track of this year's WWDVC is a new venture for us in response to the current needs of our attendees. This program, separate from the rest of the conference, is all about how to talk Data Vault to the business side of your organization, in language they understand, and in a way that highlights how Data Vault is the optimal data warehousing solution for today's ever-changing world."

Leonine Public Affairs Policy committees in the House worked diligently this week to finalize their spending recommendations for the FY2023 Budget Adjustment Act (BAA). Each committee sent a letter to the House Appropriations committee outlining their BAA priorities. Many of these recommendations are in response to Governor Phil Scott’s proposals. Some are new proposals offered by policy committees in the House.

Vermont Business Magazine Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL) a leading broadband and business communications provider, is sharing resources and tips for small businesses to enhance data privacy, as small businesses are proven to be especially vulnerable to costly data breaches. The Small Business Association reports that small businesses are three times more likely to fall victim to cyberattacks, which an IBM study found to cost U.S. organizations an average of $9.44 million in 2022. Small businesses are more likely victims of attacks, often as a result of a lack of resources and knowledge in regard to prevention measures. While large organizations may have more financial resources, there are ways for all businesses to increase protection over their data.

Vermont Business Magazine VSECU and the Vermont Foodbank announced a new fall date for the Point to Point, powered by VSECU, a cycling event to raise funds and awareness to fight hunger in Vermont. The iconic annual event will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, in Montpelier, Vermont on the State House Lawn. Registration is now open for individuals and teams to sign up and enjoy scenic autumn rides through Central Vermont. The September date is scheduled to coincide with Hunger Action Month, a nationally recognized campaign encouraging action and advocacy for the fight to end hunger.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union has partnered with the National Guard Association of Vermont (NGA-VT) to award $1,000 scholarships to two very deserving students. This year’s recipients were chosen out of a pool of students who themselves or a family member serve in the Vermont National Guard. The 2023 recipients of the Vermont Federal Credit Union and NGA-VT scholarships are Hannah Smith and Abigail Rice.

Vermont Business Magazine February 4th & 5th, 2023 – The Winter Renaissance Faire returns to the Champlain Valley Exposition. Come inside from the cold and snow and join us for a full weekend of merriment and fun for the whole family. The Winter Renaissance Faire is an event for all ages, featuring a sundry of performance troupes including singers, musicians and dancers; as well as medieval living history and fight demonstrations.

Vermont Business Magazine Two units representing more than 2200 technical and support staff at The University of Vermont Medical Center, Vermont’s largest private-sector employer, overwhelmingly voted yes today to form a union and join AFT Vermont, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The final vote in the support staff unit was 997 to 163. The technical professional unit voted 123 to 18. The healthcare workers join 2,500 nurses and technical professionals who are already organized with AFT Vermont at the hospital. Higher wages, safe staffing, and respect on the job were three top issues motivating many support staff to organize, according to AFT.