Vermont Business Magazine The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the University of Vermont (UVM) approximately $200,000 in funding to perform a study to assess current capacity at on farm digesters to accept food wastes; the potential impacts of food waste co-digestion on biogas production; and the potential impacts of co-digestion on nutrients and microplastics in digestate. The goal of this grant opportunity nationally is to help reduce food loss and waste and to divert food waste from landfills and incinerators by expanding anaerobic digester capacity in the United States. The grant is one of 11 projects selected for funding in 2022 which include feasibility studies, modeling efforts, demonstration projects, as well as technical assistance and training.

Vermont Business Magazine Recent real estate transactions from Pomerleau Real Estate Commercial Brokerage, Burlington. Including: Bill Townsend has purchased the iconic 11-17 Center Street building in Brandon, Vt. The beautiful 7,000 SF brick building sits in the middle of downtown and is home to the historic Café Provence. After years of ownership, Chef Robert has decided to sell his building. His business, Café Provence, is also currently for sale. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont officials are working to help families and caregivers impacted by a nationwide infant formula shortage. Vermont families are reporting difficulty finding infant formula in stores as a result of supply chain issues and the recall of certain Abbott Nutrition products in February. Abbott recalled seven different infant products after four babies developed bacterial infections from consuming formula that was produced at a manufacturing plant in Michigan. The facility was subsequently shut down to address the situation. To help Vermonters navigate the shortage and find safe and healthy options for feeding their babies, the Health Department has set up a web page of information, resources and recommendations: healthvermont.gov/formula-shortage.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) today announced that $6 million in brownfields funding has been committed to the cleanup and redevelopment of 453 Pine Street in Burlington. The current redevelopment proposal, being led by two Burlington entrepreneurs, includes a Nordic-style bathhouse and wellness space, boutique bowling alley and entertainment venue, and open space. Burlington residents and local entrepreneurs Jovial King and Alex Crothers have teamed up on the new project that brings together their decades of experience growing businesses that create economic opportunity and enhance community connection. 

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Electric Department (BED), a not-for-profit public power utility serving the City of Burlington, today announced to the community that it is proposing a 3.95 percent electricity rate increase during fiscal year 2023 (FY23) that will appear first as a surcharge on customer bills in August 2022. The rate change will be reviewed by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). The increase is well below current inflation rates, and BED’s total rates will remain low compared to the Vermont average. BED’s financials have been bolstered by passage last fall of the $20 million Net Zero Energy Revenue Bond that has become a key source of capital funding, by strong production from BED’s McNeil Generating Station during the high energy price winter of 2021-22, and by the fact that BED’s resources are all renewable.