Donors needed now to prevent a seasonal blood shortage
Vermont Business Magazine Did you know about 62% of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood? But, only about 3% does. By making an appointment to help save lives with the American Red Cross in August, donors can pump up the blood supply and keep it from falling to shortage levels. Platelet donors are especially needed now.
Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets Vermont is opening up its working farms and businesses to visitors this summer. This comes as Governor Phil Scott declares August as Agritourism Month in Vermont. The combination of these two industries is important to Vermont’s working landscape and the state’s economy. There will be dozens of on-farm activities in every corner of the Green Mountains this summer, giving the public the opportunity to engage in authentic experiences and see how Vermont’s food is grown, raised, and produced.
Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today issued the following statement after the Senate voted 51-50 to pass the Inflation Reduction Act: "This reconciliation bill goes nowhere near far enough in addressing the problems facing struggling working families. But it is a step forward and I was happy to support it."
Senator Patrick Leahy “The Senate’s historic vote today represents a stark choice between two divergent views. The first, that we must do all we can to help American families, our seniors, and our economy. The second, that we should ignore the soaring costs of healthcare – and of particular prescription drugs – and the existential threats of climate change. The choice could not be clearer, and yet it is mired in partisan politics. Today the Senate advanced a once-in-a-generation bill to meaningfully address the real threats of climate change. It addresses the exorbitant price of prescription drugs. And, despite claims to the contrary, it is poised to reduce the deficit.
VermontBiz has released a poll of some of the most competitive primary races. Voting day is this Tuesday, August 9. The races we are closely following include US Senate, Congress, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney General. This is not a scientific poll. As of Sunday afternoon, 652 people have responded, with Peter Welch (Democrat) and Christina Nolan (Republican) leading their parties for Senate; Molly Gray leads in the Democratic race for Congress, while Erika Redic leads on the Republican side; Kitty Toll leads the Democrats in the race for Lieutenant Governor and Joe Benning is ahead for the Republicans; for Secretary of State, Chris Winters leads on the Democratic side and H. Brook Paige leads for the Republicans; and for Attorney General, Rory Thibault is ahead for the Democrats and H. Brook Paige again has the most Republican votes.
by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine According to several economic development specialists, Addison County’s economy is performing well. The county has much to be excited about, such as Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express extended rail service running to Middlebury and Vergennes in July. Top of Fred Kenney’s list is the county’s economic diversity. According to the executive director of the Addison County Economic Development Corp (ACEDC), the county’s economic diversity makes it resilient. The mix of small businesses, manufacturers, nonprofits, and institutions such as Middlebury College means that the county isn’t reliant on a single industry. Yet, a shortage of workers, affordable housing, and quality childcare remain the preverbal stone in the economy’s shoe.
by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine If sticky wickets had legs, housing, workforce, and childcare would be the three legs of Vermont’s very sticky economic wicket. It could be argued that of these three interconnected issues, increasing the amount of housing is a top priority. It will be hard to fill open jobs or expand childcare if people have nowhere affordable to live.
by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine Economic and planning specialists in Addison, Chittenden, Central Vermont (Washington and three communities in Orange County), and Rutland, with assistance from the state Agency of Commerce and Community Development, have partnered to develop a regional economic development strategy.
Vermont Business Magazine This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will have traffic impacts on state highways throughout Vermont. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.
Vermont Business Magazine Do North Coworking and Northern Vermont University announce the first participants in the Forest Products Accelerator program. Seven companies from throughout the northeast will take part in this four-month program that’s open to startup and seed stage companies that are commercializing new and improved products, services, and technology in the forest industry. The program is focused on companies that are developing products that use low grade wood and byproducts, technology that improves forestry operations, or wood-based fuels and energy systems.
Vermont Business Magazine In order to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment at the Fair Market Rent in Vermont, renters need to earn $23.40 per hour, or $48,664 annually. This is Vermont’s Housing Wage, revealed in the annual Out of Reach Report released last week by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), a research and advocacy organization. Each year, Out of Reach reports on the Housing Wage, the hourly wage a full-time worker must earn to afford rent and utilities for a safe, modest home in the private housing market without spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs.
Vermont Business Magazine This summer, the Vermont Lakes and Ponds Program is seeking volunteers to help monitor and collect information about lakes and ponds in the state. With over 800 lakes and ponds, volunteers are key to the success of the program’s lake monitoring efforts. Volunteers can be found statewide greeting lake visitors, inspecting boats, collecting water samples, tracking algal or cyanobacteria blooms, reporting aquatic invasive species, and more.