AGP Executive Report

Workforce & Training: The Manufacturing Collaborative at Vermont State University’s Randolph campus is hiring student technicians and says the key trait is self-motivation—students must actively seek work and opportunities to build advanced manufacturing skills. Local Business & Industry Staffing: Kelley Bros Access Control Group added Tyra Lanpher to its Barre team, bringing five years of field experience across commercial electrical work, security and access systems, and data center power support. Agriculture & Water Quality: VHCB’s Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program awarded $943,745 in 2026 grants, including $814,623 for on-farm water-quality improvements and $255,793 for business development across 54 working-lands enterprises. PFAS Research: Landmark College and partners won a $7.9M NSF grant to create a PFAS Environmental Research Network, with students collecting water and soil data to track “forever chemicals.” Energy Storage: DOE cleared a Vermont long-duration battery project for the installation phase, advancing state energy storage plans. Construction & Traffic: Vermont Business Magazine published its weekly roadwork report for Sept. 7, flagging paving and bridge rehabilitation impacts on major routes. Labor & Politics: Vermont voters will decide in November on a constitutional amendment protecting workers’ right to organize and collectively bargain.

PFAS Research Funding: Landmark College and Vermont partners won a $7.9M NSF grant to build a PFAS Environmental Research Network, with students helping track “forever chemicals” in groundwater and soil. Energy Storage Progress: DOE cleared $19M for a Vermont long-duration battery project’s installation phase, and NOMAD received authorization to advance a Vermont energy storage effort. Agriculture Grants: Vermont’s Working Lands Enterprise Initiative offers free grant planning help for eligible farm and food businesses applying for the Business Enhancement Grant (Oct. 9–Dec. 10). Construction & Traffic: Vermont Business Magazine published the Sept. 7 weekly roadwork plan, including I-89 paving and bridge rehabilitation that will bring lane closures and speed limits. Local Business Leadership: Peckham Industries named John R. Peckham interim CEO, aiming for continuity as leadership transitions. Workforce & Trades: Kelley Bros Access Control Group added Tyra Lanpher as a technician in Barre, highlighting experience in electrical systems and compliance. Dairy Market Watch: A comparison of Irish and U.S. milk supply shows Irish prices stabilizing while U.S. production rises across major dairy states.

PFAS Research Funding: The NSF awarded $7.9 million to launch the PFAS Environmental Research Network, led by Bennington College with Landmark College, Middlebury, UVM, and state partners—students will help collect water and soil samples to track “forever chemicals.” Vermont Energy Storage: The DOE cleared a Vermont long-duration battery project for the installation phase, advancing state energy storage work. Affordable Housing in Burlington: Champlain Housing Trust and partners celebrated 38 new affordable apartments downtown, adding homes for veterans, people exiting homelessness, and working renters. School PCB Cleanup Pressure: Vermont educators say PCB remediation funding is running out, leaving contaminated school plans “as clear as mud” for the next steps. Labor Rights Vote: Vermonters will decide in November on a constitutional amendment guaranteeing unions the right to organize and collectively bargain. Road Work & Logistics: AOT published its weekly construction schedule for Sept. 7, with paving and bridge work affecting I-89 and I-91 corridors. Business Leadership: Peckham Industries named John R. Peckham interim CEO as leadership transitions. Workforce & Trades: Kelley Bros Access Control added Tyra Lanpher as a technician in Barre, expanding electrical and security installation capacity.

Workforce & Tech Trades: Kelley Bros Access Control Group added Tyra Lanpher to its Barre team, bringing commercial electrical and power-systems experience and making her the company’s first female technician. Corporate Leadership: Peckham Industries named John R. Peckham interim CEO, keeping day-to-day operations steady as leadership transitions. PFAS Research: The NSF awarded $7.9 million to build a PFAS Environmental Research Network led by Landmark College, partnering with Bennington, Middlebury, UVM and state agencies. Public Health & Schools: Vermont educators warn PCB cleanup funding is running out, leaving contaminated school facilities in limbo. Housing: Champlain Housing Trust and Evernorth completed 38 affordable apartments in downtown Burlington, with units for people exiting homelessness and veterans. Energy Storage: DOE cleared a Vermont long-duration battery project for its installation phase, advancing state energy-storage plans. State Operations & Planning: Vermont’s weekly highway construction update outlines paving and bridge work affecting I-89 and I-91 travel starting Sept. 7. Agriculture Finance: VEDA announced staffing moves, including a new agricultural loan officer and an AI task force leadership update.

Workforce & Industry Tech: Kelley Bros Access Control Group in Barre added Tyra Lanpher as its first female technician, bringing commercial electrical, low/high-voltage, and access-control installation experience. Corporate Leadership: Peckham Industries named John R. Peckham interim CEO, promising no day-to-day changes as leadership transitions. Clean Water & Research: Landmark College helped launch a $7.9M NSF PFAS Environmental Research Network to track “forever chemicals” in Vermont groundwater and soil. Energy Storage & Permitting: DOE cleared a Vermont long-duration battery project for the installation phase, with NOMAD also advancing an energy storage effort. Agriculture Finance: VEDA appointed Kim Highter as a new agricultural loan officer, expanding lending support for farm and food businesses. Construction & Traffic: Vermont’s Sept. 7 week brings paving and bridge work on I-89 and I-91, plus major U.S. Route 7 culvert-related closures later in September. Housing: Burlington celebrated 38 new affordable units downtown, adding subsidized apartments and space for community services. Public Health: Schools face uncertainty as PCB remediation funding runs out, leaving districts to plan around contaminated classrooms. Business Costs: AAA reports Vermont gas averaging $4.29, with Labor Day poised for record highs tied to global crude prices. Cyber & Legal: Quinn Emanuel and McDermott disclosed data breaches, underscoring rising cyber risk for firms handling sensitive client information.

PFAS Research Funding: The NSF awarded $7.9 million to create the PFAS Environmental Research Network, led by Landmark College with Bennington, Middlebury, UVM and state partners, to track “forever chemicals” in Vermont groundwater and soil. Housing & Community Development: Champlain Housing Trust and Evernorth completed 38 permanently subsidized affordable apartments in downtown Burlington, adding homes for people exiting homelessness and veterans while also relocating the Chittenden County Community Justice Center and VFW Post 782. School Safety: Vermont educators say PCB cleanup funding is running out, leaving districts uncertain about how to keep contaminated classrooms open and safe. Energy & Infrastructure: Vermont’s long-duration battery work got DOE authorization for installation, as the state continues building storage capacity. Business & Workforce: Kelley Bros Access Control Group hired Tyra Lanpher as its first female technician in Barre, expanding commercial electrical and access-control services. Civic Process: Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas urged voters to make a voting plan for universal vote-by-mail, with multiple return and in-person options. Legal/Tech Risk: Quinn Emanuel and McDermott reported data breaches, underscoring cyber exposure for firms handling sensitive client information. Construction/Traffic: Vermont Route 7A/313 work and a major U.S. 7 closure are scheduled later in September, with detours planned.

Vermont Economic Development: Governor Phil Scott appointed Chief Operations Officer Renée Grzankowski to the Vermont Artificial Intelligence Economic Taskforce, a group of 18 members tasked with mapping AI’s impact on the state’s economy and recommending policy. Agriculture Finance: VEDA named Kim Highter its newest Agricultural Loan Officer, while longtime agricultural lending leader Sarah Isham prepares to retire after 32 years, including decades shaping VEDA’s shift from dairy-heavy lending toward diversified Vermont farm and forestry businesses. Local Infrastructure: Crews are preparing culvert replacement work tied to Sunderland projects on U.S. Route 7, with major U.S. 7 closures planned Sept. 19–Oct. 3 and detours via VT 7A and VT 313. Energy & Power: The U.S. Department of Energy cleared a Vermont long-duration battery project for installation phase, advancing storage work tied to grid reliability. Community & Industry: National Trust for Local News will buy Vermont Community Newspaper Group weeklies, aiming to keep local coverage alive as financial pressures mount. Workforce & Education: Norwich University cut the ribbon on a new Cyber Fusion Research and Development Center, built with $16.4 million in directed spending.

Energy & Grid Buildout: The U.S. DOE cleared NOMAD Power Solutions to move Vermont’s long-duration battery project into the installation phase, aiming to deploy up to eight transportable BESS units across five Green Mountain Power sites. Nuclear & Economic Growth: A new look at the former Vermont Yankee site in Vernon highlights interest in either large battery storage or small modular nuclear reactors, with a public informational meeting set for Sept. 23. Cyber & Training: Norwich University cut the ribbon on its new Cyber Fusion Research and Development Center, backed by $16.4 million in directed federal spending. PFAS Research: Bennington College and three other Vermont schools won a $7.9 million NSF grant to form a PFAS Environmental Research Network. Local Business & Jobs: The National Trust for Local News will buy Vermont Community Newspaper Group’s five weekly papers, keeping staff in place. Data Centers Backlash: JD Vance defended data centers amid public opposition, citing concerns about power bills and grid strain. Public Safety: Brattleboro police arrested a man after explosive devices were found during a search tied to an alleged Hannaford theft. Agriculture & Inputs: California moved to phase out paraquat, raising questions for farmers about what the loss means.

Local Food & Retail: Hannaford is bringing back seasonal in-store farm stands, partnering with 125+ farmers and growers across the Northeast for produce like carrots, corn, squash, apples and potatoes. Food Safety: Lundberg Family Farms’ white jasmine rice recall has expanded, now covering more than 27,000 packages sold at major retailers including Walmart, Target and Whole Foods, due to potential foreign-material contamination. Energy & Waste: Casella Waste Systems and Waga Energy started operations of a third renewable natural gas facility at the McKean Landfill in Pennsylvania, using WagaBOX technology to upgrade landfill gas into pipeline-quality RNG. Climate & Flood Resilience: Vermont Treasurer’s Office kicked off a flood tour in Montpelier while building context for the state’s Climate Superfund assessment, with officials pointing to impacts across industries like skiing and dairy. Banking: KeyBank named Mark Williams to lead New England business banking across CT, ME, VT, NH and MA, emphasizing both lending and payments capabilities. Agriculture Education: Tops Friendly Markets and Ajinomoto Foods launched the Project Learning Garden contest, awarding two elementary schools a hands-on learning garden and cooking cart. Politics & Public Office: The Vermont GOP is backing a “placeholder” candidate, software engineer Jace Laquerre, against Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George—if elected, he plans to resign to trigger a governor appointment.

Vermont Water & Industry: Vermont DEC is reminding large groundwater users that annual reporting starts with withdrawals over 20,000 gallons per day, while commercial/industrial users over 57,600 gallons may need permits—part of the state’s effort to protect the “public trust” resource that underpins drinking water, farms, and industry. Local Business & Infrastructure: Barre city council got an update that the federally funded Barre Municipal Auditorium heating upgrade is still awaiting U.S. Department of Agriculture approval, putting the project dangerously close to being pushed into next year. Transportation & Construction: VTrans is letting drivers practice the new diverging diamond at I-89 Exit 16 in Colchester via a simulator at the Champlain Valley Fair ahead of the major traffic change. Agriculture & Food Systems: The Champlain Valley Fair will spotlight Vermont’s 2026 Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees, keeping agriculture front and center as the state’s working landscape evolves. Community & Workforce: The Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce will hold its 8th Annual Vermont ATHENA Awards Gala Nov. 7 in Barre, recognizing professional and young-leader women across the region.

Big Tech Accountability: Vermont AG Raoul joined the FTC and 22 states in suing Amazon over alleged “secret ad surcharge” pricing that allegedly inflated costs for more than a million brands and sellers. Nuclear Regulation: Raoul also urged the NRC to slow and rethink a rapid overhaul of nuclear energy rules, warning the changes could threaten public health and worker safety. Climate Policy Shock: A federal judge struck down New York’s $75B “Climate Superfund” law, saying it’s preempted by federal law—raising new questions for similar state efforts, including Vermont’s. Vermont Water Rules: DEC reminded large groundwater users to report annual withdrawals, with permits potentially required for commercial and industrial users above set thresholds. Workforce & Manufacturing: Vermont State University’s Manufacturing Collaborative in Randolph is spotlighting hands-on training to feed the advanced manufacturing workforce pipeline. Local Business Growth: Skida is using NuOrder to reduce wholesale friction and better manage print-heavy product inventory. Community Services: Burlington’s “situation table” model is helping coordinate agencies to move people from crisis to housing faster. Fiber Expansion: GoNetspeed announced an $8M plan to bring 100% fiber to Carteret, signaling continued regional buildout. Housing Debate: A Vermont lawmaker pushed back on “second homes” as a housing fix, arguing most are not viable year-round options.

PFAS Lawsuit in Bennington: Residents in Bennington and Shaftsbury filed a federal class action over PFOA “forever chemicals,” naming Saint-Gobain, 3M, and DuPont and linking contamination to former ChemFab sites, seeking cleanup, medical monitoring, and property relief. Trade War Pressure on Vermont Industry: Sen. Peter Welch convened a Jay Peak roundtable where Vermont businesses—from cheese to manufacturing—said Trump’s Canada tariffs are raising costs and threatening cross-border growth, with companies weighing whether to delay or reroute investments. Local Dairy Continuity: Franklin County Cheese officially took over the Enosburg cheese plant, starting production of baker’s cheese and plant-based Tofutti after Franklin Foods’ closure, aiming to preserve a long-running dairy site. Data Centers Under Scrutiny: A new report highlights how data center growth is triggering state moratoriums and tougher oversight, including Vermont-related proposals tied to power and environmental impacts. Groundwater Reporting Reminder: Vermont DEC reiterated groundwater usage reporting and permitting rules for large withdrawals, stressing the “public trust” role of groundwater for farms, industry, and drinking water. Community Business & Workforce Support: SBA Vermont promoted the Freedom 250 Supplier Matchmaking Expo, pairing small businesses with federal buyers and a $1M pitch competition. Arts & Nonprofit Shift: Brattleboro School of Dance transitioned from private ownership to a nonprofit model to expand access and programming.

Energy & Courts: A federal judge blocked New York’s $75B “climate Superfund” law, saying it’s beyond state authority and conflicts with federal Clean Air Act oversight—an outcome Utah and other states backed, with appeals expected. Vermont Business Expansion: Caliber acquired Key Collision, expanding Caliber’s collision repair footprint into Vermont plus Maine and New Hampshire. Semiconductors for AI: Navitas says it has begun first shipments of U.S.-manufactured Gen 5 GaNFast power chips made at GlobalFoundries’ Vermont facility, aiming to strengthen domestic supply for AI and critical infrastructure. Fuel Prices: AAA’s Labor Day forecast puts Vermont gas at about $4.23 and the national average near $4.03, with volatility tied to global refining and shipping disruptions. Retail Advertising: The FTC and 22 states, including Vermont, sued Amazon over alleged undisclosed ad-auction surcharges. Food & Agriculture: Foremost Farms plans to close a Wisconsin cheese plant as dairy markets shift. Public Health & Safety: Iowa officials warned about kratom’s risks as the DEA moves certain kratom-related compounds toward Schedule I status. Community & Recovery: Addison County’s Peer Recovery Center held a grand opening for its permanent Middlebury home.

Vermont Schooling & Local Food: Sen. Peter Welch is pushing the Farm to School Act to deepen Vermont’s already-strong local purchasing in school meals, while still flagging that about 10% to 12% of food can come from out-of-state “brown box” commodities. K-12 Consolidation Pressures: The Harwood Union Unified School District is weighing major restructuring that could cut schools from 7 to 3, with potential closures and staffing/budget pressure tied to spending thresholds. Addison County Recovery Infrastructure: The Peer Recovery Center of Addison County is opening its permanent home at 79 Court Street in Middlebury, with a public ribbon cutting and tours on Sept. 2. Bennington Local Tax Planning: Bennington Select Board is launching a community survey on how a proposed Local Option Tax should be spent, including a plan to offset property taxes and set priorities with public input. Manufacturing in Vermont: Bennington’s Abacus Automation highlights custom machinery built from scratch for industries ranging from food to medical and aviation, with global customers. Big Tech & Ads: The FTC and 22 states, including Vermont, sued Amazon over alleged “secret ad surcharge” pricing in sponsored ads, while Amazon disputes the claims. Vermont GOP State’s Attorney Race: The Vermont GOP named Jace Laquerre as a challenger to Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George, with Laquerre saying he’d step aside if elected. Transportation Update: Vermont’s AOT says the $6.45M “peanut roundabout” in Bennington is substantially complete and is inviting public comments. Historic Preservation: Mount Independence in Orwell will host “Soldiers Atop the Mount” Sept. 5-6 for living history tied to the site’s 1776-77 role.

Local Tax Input: Bennington’s Select Board is asking residents to weigh in on how a proposed 1% Local Option Tax would be spent if voters approve it this November, with a plan that would keep most revenue in town and require public priorities. Agriculture & Trade: Sen. Peter Welch is set to meet Vermont farmers and small businesses near the U.S.-Canada border to push back on Trump’s trade war, with impacts spanning manufacturing, tourism, brewing, maple sugaring and cheesemaking. Food Safety: The FDA posted an expanded recall of Lundberg Family Farms white jasmine rice after potential foreign-material contamination, affecting 2-pound packages shipped to Vermont and other states; consumers are urged to check UPC and lot/best-before dates. Energy & Power: Green Mountain Power will hold a customer open house Sept. 1 in Westminster, and Maine regulators revived a major wind-and-transmission project that could reshape the regional grid. Environment & Forestry: U.S. Forest Service and partners in Vermont are injecting young elms with Dutch elm disease spores to identify resistant trees for future restoration. Business Expansion: Caliber Collision is entering Vermont via acquisition of Key Collision, adding locations across New England. Tech & Work: Bernie Sanders backed Bill Gates’ warning that AI could threaten jobs, urging Congress to act before it’s too late. Community & Industry Events: A Bennington Rotary speaker series Sept. 4 will spotlight small-farm sheep-to-shawl production at Wing and a Prayer Farm.

Energy & Jobs: Maine regulators revived a major Aroostook County wind-and-transmission plan, with Avangrid set to build a 1,200-megawatt line and another developer an 800-megawatt onshore wind farm—promising thousands of construction jobs and shared costs across New England, but drawing fresh political heat over price and reliability. Local Power Utility: Green Mountain Power is hosting a customer open house Sept. 1 in Westminster (and a Facebook Live virtual open house Sept. 2) to talk reliability, safety, and its multi-year regulation plan. Farm Economy & Access: Vermont farmers say federal help is stuck in paperwork and late payouts, and Sen. Peter Welch met with Vermont producers to tackle the rural economic crisis and barriers to land ownership and basic services. Food Supply Safety: The FDA expanded a recall of Lundberg Family Farms White Jasmine rice (27,000+ pounds; specific lots/UPC listed) over possible foreign material contamination, including distribution to Vermont. Agriculture Funding: Vermont’s Agency of Agriculture announced Sodexo’s “Vermont First” innovation grant (up to $15,000) to help farmers and food producers sell into UVM Dining and other institutional accounts. Housing & Construction: Vermont’s weekly roadwork report outlines ongoing I-89 paving and bridge rehab impacts, while separate Upper Valley news highlights adaptive reuse housing approvals. Tech & Consumer Protection: A national Meta child-safety settlement continues to shape how platforms are regulated, and Vermont’s own policy push is tied to age-appropriate protections. Trade Politics: Welch and Rep. Brad Schneider are introducing the BAD DEAL Act to repeal a tariff authority used in the Canada fight—an issue Vermont businesses say hits hard. Community & Culture: Theatre at the Mount is seeking performers for “White Christmas,” and Vermont Food System updates continue to track Farm to Plate progress.