Vermont Business Magazine Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) and nine other members submitted a comment letter to Federal Agencies heads regarding a proposed rule by the Education Department, the Homeland Security Department, the Agriculture Department, the Agency for International Development, the Housing and Urban Development Department, the Justice Department, the Labor Department, the Veterans Affairs Department, and the Health and Human Services Department. The letter was submitted in support of the proposed regulations entitled “Partnerships with Faith Based and Neighborhood Organizations” and to urge additional improvements to ensure robust religious liberty and nondiscrimination protections for people who use federally funded social services.

Vermont Business Magazine Last fall, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) across the nation became a program managed under the Department of Defense, Office of Small Business Programs. With the structural change, came an opportunity to rebrand and PTACs are now nationally recognized as APEX Accelerators. In Vermont, the center will be known as Vermont APEX Accelerator. This transition will bring increased national visibility, increased resources, and new opportunities to assist clients. Locally, Vermont APEX Accelerator serves close to 500 clients, and has assisted them with winning over $195 million in government awards in 2022.

Vermont Business Magazine Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) has been awarded a $500,000 Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant to help promote and raise awareness of and participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). NEKCA will be the main grantee and will subgrant out funding across the five different Community Action Agencies of the Vermont Community Action Partnership (VCAP). Funded entities include NEKCA, BROC, CVOEO, SEVCA, and Capstone. The ACP is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefit program that provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households. To be eligible, a household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or a member of the household must meet other requirements

Vermont Business Magazine Changes to the national and local lighting market means these point-of-sale discounts are expiring starting in July of 2023. Now is the time to upgrade your business or home's lighting for the best price. LEDs have come a long way in the past couple decades. What used to be a high-cost alternative for most businesses and homes has now become the standard when replacing old lighting. Because of this, new Federal and State laws call for only high-efficiency LED lighting to be sold starting in 2023. By January 1, 2024, there will only be efficient lighting available for sale in the State of Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are unchanged in the last week at $3.42 per gallon today. They're 5 cents/g lower than a month ago and 82 cents/g lower than a year ago. The national average is $4.43/g and falling after a recent rise. Prices are expected to edge up as summer formulations come on the market. The national average price of diesel has fallen 4.1 cents in the last week and stands at $4.30 per gallon, as diesel prices have been falling steadily.