Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The US General Services Administration (GSA) is holding a public meeting on Thursday, January 12 to discuss expansion of the Highgate border crossing that sits at the northern end of Interstate 89. As part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) signed into law last year, $169 million has been allocated to upgrade the Highgate crossing, one of New England’s busiest land ports of entry (LPOE). The LPOE is expected to see a 30 percent increase in traffic with the completion of Canada Autoroute-35 (A-35) connecting to I-89 at the international border. GSA is proposing to construct larger facilities to provide for the long term and efficient flow of current and projected traffic volumes.

by Kevin Ellis Dear Democrats, you are in the midst of handing your political opponents a massive issue that threatens your ability to win elections. As is frequently the case, you are torn between your desire to do the right thing and what resonates with voters. The issue is homelessness. For the last 40 years or so we, as a society, have failed to confront homelessness despite knowing how to solve it.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) was officially sworn into the 118th Congress as United States Representative for Vermont. Following 15 roll call votes for Speaker of the House, Balint’s swearing-in makes history as the first woman and first LGBTQ person to represent Vermont in Congress. Balint comes to Washington ready to fight for her community as the state’s sole voice in the House of Representatives.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont ranks 5th in the nation in the number of women starting businesses, according to recruiting firm Lensa. Data on female entrepreneurship rates over the last decade shows an overall increase in self-employed women. Over the past 10 years, around 203k new women are working self-employed and make up 41.64% of the total self-employed workforce in 2020.

The experts at Lensa analyzed data to ascertain how many females are starting businesses, what increase women have seen in business, and which states are the hotspots for female entrepreneurs.

America’s Top 5 Female Founder Hotspots

Vermont Business Magazine Banish the winter blues this year by participating in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont’s Snow Days event, taking place at ten locations around Vermont from January 28 to February 12. Blue Cross, Vermont’s only local, non-profit health plan, holds its Snow Days event each winter to help Vermonters get outside and be active. Enjoying the great winter activities that Vermont offers connects people with nature, builds ties within the community, and supports personal wellness. From January 9-15, you can register on the Blue Cross website for a chance to win a free one-day pass at nine participating Vermont resorts.

by C.B. Hall Things are getting out of hand. All over the country, if not the English-speaking world, editors are confronting the confusion wreaked by the words they, them, their, and theirs when referring to a non-binary person determined to escape the confinement of he and she in describing him- or herself. What's an editor to do when a press release comes through that introduces a person by name and then

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported January 4, 2023, that hospitalizations have increased, but overall COVID-19 cases fell to a "Low" 391. COVID-19 activity overall remains at a "Medium" level after being in the "Low" range in the late fall, according to the VDH. Hospitalizations rose to 67 last week (they were as low as 30 last fall). Following an analysis of COVID-19 data, the VDH is reporting a cumulative 86 additional COVID-associated deaths that occurred over the course of the pandemic but had not been previously reported. Most of these deaths occurred in 2022. This brings the total number of COVID-19 deaths in Vermont to 877, as of January 6.

Vermont Business Magazine Williston-based iSun, Inc (NASDAQ: ISUN), a leading solar energy and clean mobility infrastructure company with 50-years of experience accelerating the adoption of innovative electrical technologies, has agreed to sell a 7 MW solar asset valued at approximately $4.8 million in connection with the execution of an $11.6 million EPC contract.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University will host the New England premiere of the award-winning documentary film “Mission Mt. Mangart” on Saturday, January 14, 2023 in Mack Hall Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. with a 6:00 p.m. pre-film reception and post-film Q&A with filmmaker, Chris Anthony. “Mission Mt. Mangart” is a Cannes Film Festival award-winning documentary by Anthony, who is a film maker and professional skier, and member of the Colorado Ski Museum Hall of Fame. The film follows the U.S. Army’s legendary 10th Mountain Division in the Julian Alps region of Italy at the end of World War II.

Vermont Business Magazine Champlain College has just completed an eight-month renovation of McDonald Hall, one of Burlington's historic Victorian era mansions. The updated residence hall balances historical preservation with modern accessibility, comfort, and applied sustainability that are central to Champlain’s commitment to efficiency and progress toward carbon neutrality. McDonald Hall accommodates 45 students, with its first floor and lower level now fully accessible. The building is 100% fossil fuel free.

Vermont Business Magazine Following an analysis of COVID-19 data, the Department of Health is reporting a cumulative 86 additional COVID-associated deaths that occurred over the course of the pandemic but had not been previously reported. Most of these deaths occurred in 2022. This brings the total number of COVID-19 deaths in Vermont to 877, as of January 6. The VDH has frequently adjusted COVID case and fatality data as more information becomes available. This is the largest adjustment to date. Most of the previously reported fatalities were identified as being in 2022, especially late in the year, and particularly in Bennington County.