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News

The Curtis Fund lets scholarships recipients know “We’ve Got Your Back”

Vermont Business Magazine The Curtis Fund, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, will host seven pop-up “We’ve Got Your Back” events for this year’s incoming class of scholarship recipients to distribute gift bags filled with donated products from Vermont companies. Each year, the Curtis Fund provides scholarships for low-income and/or students who will be first in their family to pursue a post-high school degree for the longevity of their postsecondary education.

The Winooski Bridge is across the water

Cross Vermont Trail Association What a day! On July 23, 2021 the bridge was lifted into place across the river. The keystone is set! The Winooski Bridge was first identified as a top priority project 25 years ago, during the very initial surveys of what could be a Cross Vermont Trail route. And several of the people doing that initial survey, sitting through those first planning meetings - they were there watching the bridge fly in, seeing it all become real.

Forestry grant, butchering workshops and help with utilities

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets The Northern Borders Regional Commission (NBRC) has announced the 2021 Regional Forest Economy Partnership Grant. This funding opportunity is open to non-profit and government agencies (state, local and Indian tribes). The purpose of the program is to assist rural communities, institutes of higher education and research, and economic development support organizations in their efforts to transition the forest-based industry and its workforce to a focus on new technologies and viable business models.

Grant awards range between $250,000 and $1 million for this competitive opportunity. As applications are only open through invitation, letters of interest are required for funding consideration and must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. EST September 10, 2021. Those interested in submitting applications are strongly encouraged to contact the NBRC program director in their state. Program directors are available to help develop projects and applications.

National publication names Davis & Hodgdon as Best Accounting Firm to Work for

Vermont Business Magazine Davis & Hodgdon Associates CPAs was recently named as one of the 2021 Accounting Today’s Best Accounting Firms to Work for. 2021 is the fourth year that the firm has been included in the national publication’s annual list. This survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in the accounting profession, benefiting its economy, workforce and businesses. The list is made up of 100 firms that are awarded this honor as a result of confidential employee surveys.

Treasury to release funding for Vermont counties secured through ARPA

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Congressional Delegation, Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Bernie Sanders and Congressman Peter Welch, announced last Friday that the US Treasury Department will release funding secured through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) designated for communities in Vermont’s 14 counties. The funding had been held back due to the Treasury Department’s previous designation that Vermont’s counties were units of general local government, as is the case in most other states. The Treasury Department has revised its original designation, clearing the way for more than $120 million to be distributed to municipalities across Vermont.

Blue Cross Vermont supports the Listen Up! Project Tour

Vermont Business Magazine As a proud underwriter of the Listen Up! Project, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (Blue Cross) is encouraging teens and anyone who has a young adult in their life to attend a show near them. This original touring musical was inspired, written, scored, and performed by Vermont teens. The production is the result of feedback from 913 Vermont youth collected through workshops, in-depth interviews, conferences, and special events statewide.

Vermont Tree Wardens: A voice for the forest

by Christine McGowan, Vermont Forest Industry Network According to Elise Schadler, a program manager with Vermont Urban and Community Forestry, a tree warden is a modern day local lorax—a community spokesperson for the trees. Appointed by local selectboards, tree wardens are responsible for making determinations about public shade trees, defined as “a shade or ornamental tree located in whole or in part within the limits of a public way or public place.”

Okemo Valley Chamber celebrates annual meeting and announces 2021 Member & Volunteers of the Year

The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce recently held its 64th Annual Meeting at the newly renovated Calcutta’s Sports Bar & Restaurant at the Fox Run Golf Club in Ludlow.

Innovation in an Aging Industry

by Janice St. Onge The pulp and paper industry is not known for its cutting-edge technology or pushing the frontiers of innovation. In fact, little has changed in the 150 years since wood pulp was first used to make paper at the Smith Paper Company. But where others may see an aging industry, Pam Cowan, chief marketing and financial officer at Pulmac Systems International, sees one that is ripe for change.

State funding provides free classes for Vermonters impacted by the pandemic

Vermont Business Magazine Vermonters whose employment has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can again take a free class or training through the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) this fall. The Vermont State Colleges – Castleton University, Community College of Vermont, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College—are offering numerous training options at all four institutions across many high-demand industries and via online and in-person formats.

Gov Scott reacts to emergency board upgrade of consensus revenue forecasts

State economists predict revenues will exceed earlier predictions by $242 million for fiscal year 2022 and $268 million in fiscal year 2023

Vermont Business Magazine As the Scott Administration prepares the fiscal year 2022 budget adjustment and fiscal year 2023 state budget, it will do so with more revenues than were anticipated. The Emergency Board, chaired by Governor Scott, met with the State’s executive and legislative economists today to adopt new revenue estimates for fiscal years 2022 and 2023. These forecasts are projections of future revenue receipts into the State’s largest funds.

Vermonters show support for the passage of a national Paid Family and Medical Leave Solution

Vermont Business Magazine Yesterday, workers, small business owners, advocates and legislative leaders came together for the premiere of “We Believe in Paid Leave”, a video campaign lifting up eight stories from throughout Vermont, highlighting the critical and urgent need for the passage of an equitable and robust national paid family and medical leave solution. We know that 65% of Vermont’s workers don’t have access to paid family and medical leave and that the consequences are dire in the event of a personal or family medical emergency. We also know that no one chooses when they get sick or injured and that for most families, nine months is not enough time to save for an adequate parental leave.

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