Public Assets Institute The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), passed in March 2021, earmarked $76.6 million for Vermont’s local governments, and another $121.2 million for county government. Because Vermont counties have limited roles, the feds redirected the dollars to towns. Towns can use money through the end of 2024 to help pay for government services; direct assistance to households, small businesses, and non-profits for COVID-related costs; premium pay to essential workers; and infrastructure investments.

Vermont Business Magazine On November 2nd, the Burlington Board of School Commissioners will be voting on a contract extension for Superintendent Thomas Flanagan and they want to hear from the community. The vote will happen at the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at 6 pm at the Sustainability Academy. Between now and October 28, the School Board welcomes input from community members through taking a survey or sending thoughts via email to the Board at (board@bsdvt.org).

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont’s Class of 2025 is the largest and academically best-prepared undergraduate cohort in the university’s 230-year history—a testament to UVM’s ascending position among public higher education institutions across the country. More first-year students also hail from other regions of the US than any previous class. UVM attracted 38 percent more undergraduate applicants compared to last year, which resulted in more than 25,500 applications, a record high. The previous record was 25,275 in 2015. The new class—made up of 2,932 first-time, first-year undergraduate students—is the largest in UVM’s history. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Bernie Sanders, Congressman Welch, and Department for Children and Families today announced that Vermont has received an unprecedented amount of Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding this year. Thanks to the hard work of Vermont’s congressional delegation, the program received $49 million in LIHEAP funding, augmented by a one-time block grant increase authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The Department for Children and Families typically receives approximately $20 million each year.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Jay Peak Receiver Michael Goldberg has issued his Ninth Interim Report. Goldberg took over the Jay Peak and Burke Mountain resorts following fraud allegations in April 2016. This report notes that he and his team have been in negotiations with several potential buyers of Jay Peak since the resort was put back on the market at the beginning of this year. No timeframe or valuation was provided. Goldberg also is somewhat optimistic for the coming ski season as recent revenue and visitation numbers have been pretty good despite restrictions. And this report was released before news that the Canadian border will be reopening next month.