Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) announced the Forest Economy Stabilization Grant Program (FESG), to provide $5 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds available to eligible forest products businesses in Vermont. FPR is working with other state agencies and the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) to deliver this program to provide economic relief to forest products businesses experiencing economic harm as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting that another Vermonter has died of COVID-19. The VDH generally does not reveal the location or circumstances of the deceased with respect to privacy. However, the data provided by VDH indicated that the death occurred in Franklin County. This is the second death since June 16. The last one was on July 30 in Washington County. As for total COVID-19 cases, the VDH reported nine new cases, but none in Chittenden County, which has by far the most cases. Five of the new cases were in Rutland County. There have been a total of 1,445 cases in Vermont, the fewest of any state.

Vermont Business Magazine This summer, 350Vermont is launching a project to plant 100,000 trees across Vermont by the end of 2022. Rewild Vermont strives to build on synergies between food justice, climate action and ecological restoration to grow healthier, more just futures for Vermont. Volunteers will plant, protect and care for an array of native and food-producing species, developing local projects that restore degraded parts of their ecosystems and provide sustenance for vulnerable members of their communities. 350VT state organizers, meanwhile, are working with partners like nurseries, conservation districts and other nonprofit organizations to secure affordable bulk seedlings and statewide support.

by Christine McGowan, Vermont Forest Industry Network Long valued for timber, recreation, wildlife habitat, and solace, Vermont’s forests are being recognized for providing another, more global, benefit: carbon storage. Situated within the largest remaining intact temperate broadleaf forest on the planet, Vermont forests are part of a critical natural resource in the fight against climate change. Biologically adept at both drawing carbon out of the atmosphere through photosynthesis, and storing carbon within their roots, trunks, and leaves, trees have an important role to play in the global effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions and ensure a healthy planet for future generations. And, thanks to a combination of growing carbon markets and some innovative thinking by Vermont’s forest industry, landowners stand to benefit from managing their forests for carbon storage.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Nolato has signed an agreement to acquire Bethel-based GW Plastics. The company, which was founded in 1955, has annual sales of approximately $216 million (1.8 billion Swedish Krona) and an EBITA margin of around 7 percent. The acquisition price, including contingent consideration, is estimated at approximately $240 million (SEK 2 billion). GW Plastics ranked 18th on Vermont Business Magazine's Vermont 100 and was the third largest manufacturer with $183 million in 2019.