AGP Executive Report

Semiconductor & AI Supply Chain: GlobalFoundries and Marvell expanded their Burlington, Vermont SiGe chip deal to boost capacity for high-speed optical connectivity used in AI data centers, aiming to meet rising demand for pluggable and co-packaged optics. Energy Infrastructure: ISO New England selected Eversource and Avangrid’s Transmission Initiative Down East as a preferred long-term grid upgrade, targeting congestion relief and enabling more northern New England wind. Manufacturing Support: Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) won an $812,300 NIST MEP award to help small and mid-sized manufacturers adopt advanced tech like AI, robotics, automation, and additive manufacturing. Brownfields Financing: Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission launched a Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund backed by an EPA grant, offering low-interest loans and limited grants to clean up contaminated sites for redevelopment. Clean Water Planning: Vermont DEC opened draft Tactical Basin Plans for the Missisquoi Bay and Lamoille River basins for public comment, with hybrid meetings scheduled in late September. Local Transportation: Colchester’s diverging diamond interchange at I-89 Exit 16 went into effect, with VTrans monitoring traffic and signal timing as the project finishes next spring. Housing & Community Development: Middlebury’s Stonecrop Meadows housing project continues construction toward about 250 homes, as the college cites hiring pressure from the local housing crunch. Food Waste Prevention: Vermont’s DEC kicked off Food Waste Prevention Week with a Scrap Food Waste Challenge starting Sept. 28, pushing practical steps to cut waste and emissions.

Brownfields Financing: Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission launched a Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund with EPA money, offering low-interest loans and limited grants to clean up contaminated sites and turn them into housing and community facilities. Clean Water Planning: Vermont DEC opened a public comment window on draft Tactical Basin Plans for the Missisquoi Bay and Lamoille River basins, laying out dozens of restoration steps with hybrid meetings in late September. AI for Finance (Local Business Tech): MatrixLabX rolled out PrescientIQ for Financial Services, using governed multi-agent AI with human approval gates and an audit ledger, priced per approved workflow. Cancer Research: UVM researchers reported early clinical results for a new mesothelioma approach that aims to turn the cancer’s own defenses into a weakness. Transportation & Construction: Vermont’s first diverging diamond interchange at I-89 Exit 16 in Colchester opens to traffic with overnight signal and lane changes; separately, Putney Road roundabout plans were scaled back and pushed to a later start. Food & Agriculture: USDA announced a Stand-Up Program to help more states launch meat inspection programs, and Vermont farm updates included egg recall activity tied to Salmonella. Workforce & Education: A Vermont engineering-focused “college, minus the frills” model is planning a first campus next fall, while a girls’ aviation career tour at Heritage Aviation highlighted pilot shortages and pathways. Energy Storage: FlexGen and Lightshift expanded battery storage deployments across Vermont and New England with HybridOS energy management. Public Health & Aging: Central Vermont Council on Aging set its “Hit the Trail” fundraiser on Sept. 27 to support free services for older Vermonters.

Energy Storage Expansion: FlexGen and Lightshift Energy are expanding their battery energy storage partnership across 16 projects in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Vermont, with 6 already delivering 25MW/85MWh and 10 more under construction. Health Care Jobs: Southwestern Vermont Medical Center says Dartmouth Health’s announced cuts won’t affect Bennington staffing, despite 124 eliminations at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and cancellation of 303 open roles. AI Regulation Push: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon joined calls for AI safeguards, as Congress faces mounting pressure but little time or consensus before the November election. Insurance Update: AM Best withdrew ratings for Saturn Insurance Inc., BP’s Vermont captive, after the captive was dissolved and its license surrendered. Agriculture Leadership: NASDA elected Washington agriculture director Derek Sandison as 2026–2027 president, with the 2027 annual meeting set for Kennewick, Washington. Food Policy Fight: A Senate bill led by Sanders to add warning labels and restrict marketing of certain foods to kids advanced, drawing strong dairy industry pushback. Local Housing Planning: Chester planners discussed fast-tracking housing options using alternative zoning approaches. Fall Farming Tip: UVM Extension recommends planting cover crops now to protect soil, suppress weeds, and support pollinators ahead of frost.

AI Regulation Push: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon are teaming up at a “pro-human” event to demand guardrails, with Sanders backing a plan to ban superintelligent AI until safety rules exist, while Trump dismisses AI risk talk as a “hoax.” Local Infrastructure & Traffic: Vermont’s first diverging diamond interchange opens Wednesday at I-89 Exit 16 in Colchester, and a 10-mile Route 7 closure in Shaftsbury starts for two weeks of bridge work. Community & Culture: Middletown Springs volunteers moved the library “one book at a time” ahead of a Sept. 20 reopening, and the Chester Festival returns Sept. 19-20 at Gateway Field. Rural Economy: A UVM study finds agritourism can boost farm revenue and strengthen community ties, but grants and upfront support are still scarce. Health Sector: Dartmouth Health is cutting 124 jobs and canceling 303 open positions to improve long-term financial sustainability. Environment & Research: Landmark College and partners are leading a $7.9M NSF effort to study PFAS “forever chemicals” across Vermont.

AI Policy Showdown: Sen. Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon are set to headline a “pro-human” rally in Washington, pushing Congress to act as lawmakers react to fresh AI safety alarms and calls for guardrails. Manufacturing & Tech Adoption: NIST awarded more than $30 million to expand Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers, including support for Vermont manufacturers adopting advanced tools like AI, robotics, and automation. Forestry Markets: The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities announced $5.5 million in awards to strengthen wood fiber markets, with added Northern Border funding that includes Vermont. Food & Beverage Tech: VIP (Colchester) completed its acquisition of Encompass Technologies, aiming to broaden software and modernization for breweries, wineries, and soda bottlers. Workplace Debate: Sanders and Rep. Mark Takano reintroduced a bill to move the federal workweek from 40 to 32 hours without pay cuts, renewing the four-day workweek fight. Local Civic Capacity: The Vermont Community Foundation was named a 2026 Civic Hub, receiving a three-year grant to boost community-led leadership and civic life across the state. Cannabis Enforcement: Vermont Lt. Gov. John Rodgers agreed to a $2,500 settlement with regulators over cultivating about 200 cannabis plants at an unlicensed site.

AI Policy Clash: President Trump called AI “a hoax” and dismissed calls for guardrails as lawmakers and industry leaders push for slowing frontier development ahead of midterms. Regulation Pressure: Congress is facing mounting public concern after high-profile AI safety warnings, while Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey urged federal action for guardrails. Vermont Data Centers Debate: A Vermont editorial argues the state should pursue responsible data-center development with local control, transparency, and infrastructure cost accountability. Workforce & Cost of Living: Sen. Bernie Sanders (with Rep. Mark Takano) reintroduced a bill to reduce the standard workweek to 32 hours with overtime after 32. Public Health & Food Safety: Vermont’s Agency of Agriculture and the Department of Health reported a voluntary egg recall tied to Salmonella, with linked Vermont illnesses. Workplace Safety: Rutland County prosecutors’ office was sealed after asbestos contamination from roof work at the Asa Bloomer building. Energy & Power Reliability: Hydro-Québec and New England utilities are in federal court after Quebec halted electricity deliveries during last winter’s cold snap. Local Business & Community: Kinney Drugs launched a kid-focused “Find Flemy” flu mascot scavenger hunt, and Vermont’s Safety and Health Council announced its Oct. 27 worksite wellness awards.

AI Regulation Pressure: Congress is feeling the heat after an Anthropic researcher’s warning about rogue AI, with Schumer demanding a briefing and lawmakers weighing new, bipartisan AI guardrails even as the midterm calendar limits quick action. Vermont Workforce & Education: UVM is expanding tuition breaks for New England students in 31 in-demand majors, aiming to feed Vermont’s workforce needs. Construction & Local Economy: Watsco agreed to acquire The Granite Group, a Northeast plumbing and HVAC distributor with major Vermont presence, signaling continued consolidation in the region’s building supply chain. Agriculture & Food Systems: Vermont’s Farm to Institution Market Development Grant opens Sept. 14, offering $10,000–$30,000 awards to boost sales for farms and local food served in schools and other institutions. Public Works & Traffic: Route 7 closure in the Sept. 19–Oct. 3 window will push heavy detours onto Route 7A in Shaftsbury, with officials warning of major traffic stress. Recycling Infrastructure: A Northeast glass recycling report highlights Vermont’s strong recovery rates tied to deposit return systems, while urging more collection and processing capacity across the region. Health & Community: Kinney Drugs is rolling out a kid-focused “Find Flemy” flu scavenger hunt in Vermont stores, pairing comfort-building with vaccination season. Business & Retail Development: Rutland Town’s Diamond Run Mall site is moving toward a Walmart Supercenter plan, pending Land Use Review Board hearings.

Dairy Expansion: A nearly $500K federal grant will let UDairy Creamery expand production at the Genuardi Food Innovation Laboratory, adding new equipment for specialty cheeses and fermentation training for food science students. Workforce & Construction: Vermont Construction Academy’s “toolbelt generation” push highlights a widening trades labor gap as retirements surge and states struggle to fill construction and skilled jobs. Vermont Energy Rates: Vermont regulators trimmed Green Mountain Power’s requested rate hike to 5.5% from 7.5% after customer backlash, including debate over grid “resilience” spending. Rural Housing: RuralEdge and Community National Bank opened applications for the Newport Crossing affordable housing project, with 40 permanently affordable units in Newport and Newport Town. Road & Traffic Planning: Vermont’s Route 7 closure (Sept. 19–Oct. 3) will shift heavy traffic onto Route 7A, with local officials warning of major volume and safety impacts. AI Policy Fight: AI leaders and lawmakers are escalating calls for pacing and oversight after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s slowdown proposal, with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders backing a pause and ban on superintelligence. Food Safety: Vermont farms recalled eggs tied to Salmonella contamination, including a Windsor County detection. Agriculture Markets: USDA forecasts a steep 2026 drop in egg receipts, while cattle outlook coverage points to shifting prices and supply conditions for producers. Health Data Tech: Rural health transformation plans increasingly aim to connect provider networks to health information exchanges, with some states exploring AI-enabled search and alerts.

Affordable Housing Finance: RuralEdge and Community National Bank opened the first phase of Newport Crossing, adding 40 permanently affordable units in Newport and Newport Town, with rents set at 50%-80% of area median income. Construction & Infrastructure: Vermont’s construction outlook stays “strong” despite headwinds, while the state’s weekly road report flags ongoing I-89 and I-91 paving and bridge work with lane closures and speed limits. Energy Costs: Vermont regulators cut Green Mountain Power’s requested rate hike to 5.5% (starting Oct. 1) after customer backlash, approving less “resilience spending” than the utility sought. Public Health & Agriculture: Leaping Bear Farm in Windsor County recalled eggs tied to Salmonella Enteritidis; Vermont health officials linked 14 illnesses to the strain and ordered the farm to stop sales until the risk clears. AI Policy: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders renewed calls for a pause on advanced AI and a ban on superintelligence, as lawmakers push for federal oversight after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s slowdown proposal gained high-profile backing. Local Business & Retail: Kinney Drugs is expanding its kid-focused “Find Flemy” scavenger hunt to make vaccination visits feel less intimidating, with weekly store hide-and-seek and gift card grand prizes.

AI Policy & Industry Tension: Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is pushing an industry-wide AI slowdown and third-party safety checks, with support from Google DeepMind co-founder Demis Hassabis and renewed calls from lawmakers for federal oversight. Vermont Public Health: Leaping Bear Farm in Windsor County recalled eggs after Vermont officials found Salmonella Enteritidis; the recall covers cartons dated June 1–Sept. 5 and follows 14 linked illnesses. Vermont Agriculture & Invasive Threats: Spotted lanternflies are spreading to 22 states, with officials urging people to kill the crop-damaging pests on sight. Vermont Infrastructure & Construction: Vermont Business Magazine listed new highway work affecting traffic, including I-89 paving and I-91 lane closures, plus bridge rehabilitation near Exit 3. Local Business & Community: Upper Valley Haven marked progress on its new year-round 20-bed shelter and resource center in White River Junction. Vermont Energy/Tech: Agero partnered with MOTER Technologies to speed connected-vehicle claims and roadside response.

Food Safety: Vermont health and agriculture officials say Salmonella Enteritidis was found at Leaping Bear Farm in Windsor County, triggering a voluntary recall of eggs in cartons dated June 1–Sept. 5, 2026; officials link 14 illnesses to the strain and say the farm has stopped selling eggs until it’s cleared. Local Health & Services: Upper Valley Haven in White River Junction dedicated its new year-round 20-bed shelter and resource center, designed to provide nightly sign-ups plus meals and staff support. Construction & Infrastructure: VermontBiz posted this week’s highway work affecting traffic, including I-89 paving between Randolph and Bethel and I-91 lane closures near Exits 16–18. Business & Industry: Agero and MOTER Technologies partnered to connect vehicle data to roadside assistance and speed up claims triage for insurers. Retail & Development: Walmart is moving ahead with plans for a Rutland supercenter at the old Diamond Run Mall site, with permitting underway and environmental concerns raised. Cybersecurity: A data breach investigation is underway after Ascent Global Logistics reported exposure of sensitive personal information. Energy & Economy: Gas prices rose nationally to $4.27 a gallon as crude oil climbed.

Food Safety: Leaping Bear Farm is recalling eggs after Vermont officials found Salmonella in eggs and environmental samples; the recall covers cartons dated June 1–Sept. 5, with about 1,800 hens affected and 14 illnesses linked so far. Healthcare & Retail: Kinney Drugs is rolling out a kid-friendly “Find Flemy” flu scavenger hunt across stores, with stickers and gift-card prizes tied to finding the flu mascot. Construction & Traffic: Vermont road crews are scheduling paving and interchange work across I-89, I-91, and U.S. 7, including Milton/Colchester/Waterbury impacts and Colchester’s Exit 16 diverging diamond opening. Business & Tech: Agero (Urgently) and MOTER Technologies are partnering to speed connected-vehicle claims by linking roadside dispatch with vehicle-data risk scoring. Agriculture & Livestock: Palgrove Charolais and Ultrablack bull sale results show top prices reaching $95,000 (Charolais) and $85,000 (Ultrablack). Local Government: Essex Junction approved a new stop sign at Pine Court and West Street after resident concerns about speeding. Economy Watch: Southwestern Vermont businesses report confidence but flag rising costs and workforce shortages in the chamber’s 2026 survey.

Southwestern Vermont Economy: The 2026 State of the Commerce survey finds confidence is still high, but rising costs, workforce shortages, and weaker broader conditions are starting to bite. AI & Regulation: Vermont’s policy conversation is getting louder as lawmakers press OpenAI and Anthropic after “rogue” AI warnings and a researcher resignation sparked fresh calls for tighter oversight. Tech Manufacturing in Vermont: Kepler Computing’s $468M late-stage funding spotlights a Vermont manufacturing role tied to faster AI memory hardware. Transportation & Construction: Colchester’s first-in-Vermont diverging diamond at I-89 Exit 16 is set to open overnight Wednesday into Thursday, while U.S. Route 7 work in Bennington/Arlington ramps up with a major closure planned. Energy Costs: AAA reports the national gas average jumped 13 cents to $4.27 amid crude volatility, and utility-cost pressure remains a regional concern. Public Health: South Hero officials urge rabies precautions after a rabid raccoon was confirmed in Grand Isle County. Agriculture & Tourism: A Randolph Center corn maze adds to Vermont agritourism, and international demand for Canadian maple syrup continues to surge.

AI Oversight Push: Vermont and the nation are watching as lawmakers press OpenAI after warnings that AI could “go rogue,” with senators demanding details on the Hugging Face incident and broader safety steps. Local Retail & Permitting: Rutland Town’s plan for a new Walmart Supercenter at the old Diamond Run Mall site moved forward in the Act 250 permitting process, with engineers and regulators reviewing demolition and impacts. Telecom Infrastructure: Vermont Supreme Court cleared the way for a 140-foot cell tower near Lake Willoughby, ending years of neighbor challenges over planning and public input. Maple Industry Leadership: Runamok in Fairfax announced a leadership transition, with Ashley Wainer taking over as CEO and Kelly Murnaghan joining as chief marketing officer. Working Farms & Food Access: The Intervale Center marked 20 years helping Vermont farms adapt and reach new markets, including support for small growers selling to major institutions. Conservation & Fisheries: Smugglers’ Notch dam removals are underway to reconnect about 10 miles of brook trout habitat and improve water quality. Rural Health Workforce: Vermont received $9 million from federal Rural Health Transformation funds via VSAC to expand tuition benefits for students committing to serve rural communities. Sustainability Recognition: Casella Waste Systems honored Vermont-area sustainability leaders, including Adams Fairacre Farms and King Arthur Baking, for waste reduction and circular-economy efforts.

AI Safety Push: Vermont and national lawmakers are reacting to Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon’s resignation and warnings that frontier AI could “kill us all,” with Gov. J.B. Pritzker calling for immediate action. Rural Health Workforce: Vermont’s Department of Health and VSAC are awarding $9 million in federal Rural Health Transformation funds to support tuition benefits for students who commit to serving rural communities for at least five years. Vermont Business Climate: A 2026 State of the Commerce survey finds Southwestern Vermont firms still optimistic, but squeezed by rising costs and workforce shortages. Energy & Industry Skills: NEK Energy Network is hosting EV technician training and extreme-weather resilience and plug-in solar updates. Local Food Systems: Vermont’s Farm to School and Early Childhood grant opens, offering $10,000–$30,000 to expand farm-to-school programming. Risk & Captives: VCIA opened its 2027 conference session proposal window, spotlighting climate/parametric risk, AI in underwriting, and reinsurance. Forestry & Waterways: Smugglers’ Notch and VNRC are removing two Brewster River dams to restore brook trout habitat and improve flood safety. Community & Commerce: Kinney Drugs launches a kid-focused “Find Flemy” scavenger hunt tied to flu-season comfort and vaccination outreach.

AI Safety & Politics: Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon resigned, warning AI could “kill all humans” by 2030, triggering lawmakers’ calls for emergency action and Sanders pushing AI guardrails. Endangered Species Act Fight: A coalition of 20 states and D.C. sued the Trump administration over new rules that narrow “harm” and weaken protections for threatened species. Data Centers & Water: Vermont’s natural resources secretary backed federal limits on data-center water costs after Gov. Scott vetoed similar state regulation. Vermont Energy & Industry: Pawlet is set to break ground Sept. 18 on a geothermal system for town hall and library, funded by a ~$444,000 grant. Manufacturing/Tech: OnLogic will demo physical AI hardware and edge automation solutions at IMTS 2026. Food & Farms: Vermonters Feeding Vermonters marks one year, investing in local farms to expand fresh produce access statewide. Community & Workforce: Groundbreaking at Camp Johnson will consolidate Vermont Guard family support services into a new readiness center. Local Economy: Southwestern Vermont’s 2026 State of the Commerce survey finds strong business confidence, but rising costs and workforce shortages remain major hurdles.