Member News Round Up 8-21-24
UVM Medical Center: As health care organizations across the country struggle to integrate nutrition-based practices into clinical services, a small group of clinical dietitians at Gold Member UVM Medical Center, led by a chef with a passion for sustainable and nutritious cuisine, have cultured a unique, evidence-based program that provides hands-on education and health-improvement resources to patients and clinicians. The resulting Culinary Medicine Program – part of a larger Food is Medicine movement – and its innovative offerings are part of a shift in how health care is being approached. Learn more here.
AO Glass: Hospitality, collaboration, and American-made goods – Rich Arentzen, co-owner of Burlington’s AO Glass knows the allure and importance of these factors when combined. In the “cultural outpost” of Burlington, he can see that retail is changing and a place like AO Glass represents the new face of what retail is and can be: a warm experiential offering that comes from opening the doors to a craft process and telling stories of a shared human history. Learn more here.
Ben & Jerry's: Churn Out the Vote – a Limited Batch flavor from Champion Member Ben & Jerry’s – is part of a larger campaign to celebrate and activate young voters, especially young voters of color, to participate in this November’s election. Ben & Jerry's partnership with Black Voters Matter, now in its fourth year, is part of an effort to engage voters on the issues they care about most. From now through Election Day, Ben & Jerry's website will be a one stop shop to help fans all become voters: people can check their voter registration status, and find information on their polling locations, early voting, and vote by mail options. Learn more here.
Ben & Jerry’s, Hotel Vermont, UVM SI-MBA, VNRC, and Zero Gravity Craft Brewery: Hotel Vermont, UVM SI-MBA, Zero Gravity Craft Brewery, VNRC, and Champion Member Ben & Jerry’s are all part of a recent Green Matters “Green City Guide” for Burlington. Even locals who already walk the walk are bound to learn something new about the area’s sustainable offerings in the travel guide. Learn more here.
Bivo, tove wear, Vermont Glove, VOBA: VOBA will be showcasing companies in the Boston Outdoor Expo 2025 that are sustainability-, equity-, and community-oriented in producing quality products for outdoor users of Vermont’s world-class recreation places. Those companies include members like Vermont Glove, Bivo and tove wear. The incredible talent and creativity within Vermont’s local businesses will be shared with thousands of visitors at the expo. Learn more here.
Champlain Housing Trust, Evernorth, Turning Point Center of Chittenden County: Senator Bernie Sanders recently headlined a groundbreaking event marking the beginning of construction of 38 permanently affordable apartments, a new Veterans’ Center, and space for Burlington’s Community Justice Center. Post Apartments, when complete, will include 38 apartments, with nine set aside for people experiencing homelessness – five of which will be reserved for veterans. VBSR members Champlain Housing Trust, Turning Point Center of Chittenden County, Evernorth are all partners in the venture. Learn more here.
Green Mountain Power, Vermont Electric Cooperative: Operators recently cut the ribbon for a new utility-scale battery, which is expected to keep renewable energy projects in the area running more consistently while reducing strain on the electrical grid during peak usage times. The project – operated jointly by Champion Member Green Mountain Power and Vermont Electric Cooperative – is expected to come online in the next several weeks after a yearslong process that began in 2021. The 3-megawatt battery can store enough energy to power 600 homes for a full day. Learn more here.
Northfield Savings Bank, Vermont Professionals of Color: Gold Member Northfield Savings Bank and their Foundation (NSBF) recently announced two community partnerships and financial support of $200,000 to be utilized over the next two years. Vermont Professionals of Color (VT PoC) is one of the announced partners and will receive a contribution of $100,000 to advance their services. In its partnership with VT PoC, NSBF is directing funding to developing an interactive digital platform that welcomes BIPOC residents of Vermont into an opportunity to discover, connect and interact with their local area, making valuable links to shared community. Learn more here.
Norwich Solar Technologies: Gold Member Norwich Solar Technologies has launched a clean energy development and finance division – Breakaway Renewables – which diversifies operations for strategic growth and greater impact in the renewable energy sector. Breakaway Renewables will increase its site acquisition and evaluation, permitting, design and financing opportunities for its business partners while moving communities towards a fossil-free energy future. Learn more here.
Vermont Afghan Alliance: The Vermont Afghan Alliance recently held a press conference to recognize the anniversary of Kabul’s fall to the Taliban (August 15, 2021) reiterating the dire situation of those still trapped in Afghanistan and calling on Congress to expedite family reunification processes. Afghan refugees continue to arrive in fragmented family units – and approximately 600 Afghans have arrived in Vermont since 2021. The Alliance works with Afghan refugees to provide essential services, including driving lessons, employment assistance, interpretation services and case management. Learn more here.
Vermont Community Foundation: The Vermont Community Foundation has distributed $455,500 in flood relief grants over the past month to respond to devastating flooding around the state this summer. The latest grants bring the total granted or allocated through the VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund since July of 2023 to $13.7 million. The most recent grants are helping communities shelter people displaced by floodwaters, clean up debris, and meet basic needs for food and clothing. Grants are also helping farmers plant cover crops in damaged fields, replace equipment, and repair farm roads that were gouged by torrents of water. Learn more here.
Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA): A new loan program from Gold Member VEDA is now available to support businesses in the state’s forest economy. Three million dollars in total financing can be provided in the form of loans up to $500,000 with subsidized interest rates for loggers, foresters, log haulers, biomass producers, sawmills, firewood producers and wood product manufacturers, for working capital, equipment and refinancing. Those in the Vermont wood products industry are dedicated to maintaining the state’s most beautiful renewable resource – and their work remains at the mercy of fluctuating weather, markets and operating expenses. Learn more here.
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF): VSJF has just released the complete set of six modules of its Business Sense series, next level tools for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Written by VSJF’s team of business coaches, this free series shares their decades of experience in areas such as financials, operations, sales, marketing, human resources, and leadership and governance. Learn more here.