AGP Executive Report

UVM Athletics Partnership: Float Away Wellness Spa says it’s now partnering with UVM Athletics, bringing floatation and vibroacoustic therapy to Catamount student-athletes—its first such float program for UVM players. Health Care Philanthropy: VAHHS held a service project at Jay Peak Resort that stocked North Country Career Center’s personal care closet and community fridge, with students sorting supplies for peers in need. Local Grants: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice received a $7,200 grant from NorthCountry Federal Credit Union to support Adult Home Healthcare, which serves more than 1,700 Central Vermonters annually amid Medicare reimbursement pressure. Veterans & Cannabis Wellness: Cannatrol’s Cool Cure Limited Edition program added Operation Green Healing as its exclusive nonprofit partner for veterans and military families. Food & Safety: Stewart’s Shops recalled certain ice cream flavors in New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire after a metal object was found in a carton; no illnesses reported. EV Charging: West River Coffee Barn in Londonderry installed a new dual-port Level 2 charger, funded through a Charge Vermont workplace grant. Agriculture & Training: NRCS Vermont and the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District will host a free bedded pack manure management workshop Oct. 29 at Bartlett Family Farm.

Climate & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a major climate case on whether state and local governments can sue big oil for damages, with private contingency-fee lawyers playing a central role and potentially huge fee stakes. Energy Costs: Heating oil prices are projected to jump 50% this winter, adding nearly $900 to the average household bill and hitting the roughly 4.8 million U.S. households that rely on oil hardest. Vermont Politics & Affordability: NBC5’s Vermont/North Country preview spotlights November races where voters are focused on affordability, housing, health care, taxes and energy costs, including Vermont’s governor race between Phil Scott and Amanda Janoo. State Government Moves: Gov. Phil Scott announced new administration appointments, including Nick Kramer as deputy commissioner of the Department of Human Resources and Shabnam Nolan as deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services. Local Business & Workforce: BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Reality Fair returns as a hands-on financial literacy event for Windham County students, pairing career “paychecks” with budgeting lessons. Health & Community Grants: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice received a $7,200 grant from NorthCountry Federal Credit Union to support its Adult Home Healthcare program.

Energy Costs & Affordability: Heating oil prices are nearing all-time highs, with estimates projecting a 50% jump this winter—adding roughly $900 to the average household bill—raising fears of “sticker shock” for Northeast families. Housing & Development: Vermont is weighing how to address housing shortages, including calls for fewer small towns and more taller buildings, while a separate national trend highlights how states are pushing to convert closed colleges into housing. Public Safety & Privacy: A federal judge ruled warrantless searches of Flock license-plate data violated the Fourth Amendment, suppressing drug evidence after police used the system to track a driver’s movements across states. Local Business & Community: UVM Athletics is partnering with Float Away Wellness Spa to bring floatation therapy to student-athletes, and NorthCountry Federal Credit Union awarded Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice a $7,200 grant to support adult home healthcare. Agriculture & Resilience: A Dartmouth study suggests Northeast droughts are becoming less frequent and less intense, but Vermont farmers are still feeling the hit—nearly $16 million in drought-related losses last year. Tourism: Leaf-peeping demand remains strong, with Stowe reporting peak fall-color crowds that keep local businesses busy.

Vermont Business & Economy: Tourism & Retail: Stowe’s peak fall foliage is pulling “leaf peepers” from around the world, with local shops and outfitters saying the season is their bread-and-butter. Public Safety & Privacy: A federal judge ruled a warrantless Flock Safety license-plate search violated a woman’s Fourth Amendment rights, casting a spotlight on how vehicle-location data is used in investigations. Policy & Politics: Sen. Bernie Sanders and AOC pushed a bill aimed at blocking federal use of license-plate camera systems, renewing debate over surveillance tech. Community & Health: Float Away Wellness Spa announced a partnership with UVM Athletics to bring floatation therapy to student-athletes, while NorthCountry Federal Credit Union awarded Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice a $7,200 grant to support adult home healthcare. Local Business Growth: Vermont Professionals of Color Network launched Equity Exchange, an online portal matching BIPOC Vermonters with white allies offering free professional services. Culture & Preservation: The Vermont Historical Society acquired Big Heavy World’s Vermont music archive, preserving decades of recordings and materials. Agriculture: NRCS Vermont and Orleans County NRCD will host a free bedded pack manure management workshop at Bartlett Family Farm on Oct. 29.

Privacy & Surveillance: Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are pushing the “Ban Flock Act,” aiming to stop federal agencies from using automatic license plate readers and accessing location data from systems run by police and private vendors, with limited toll exceptions and a proposed 48-hour data-retention limit. Health Insurance Costs: A ValuePenguin analysis finds ACA marketplace plan selections fell 4.9% for 2026 while average premiums rose 19.7%, with more shoppers gravitating to the cheapest tiers as enhanced federal subsidies fade. Antitrust & Drug Pricing: Iowa AG Brenna Bird joined a coalition seeking court approval of a $400 million settlement with Sandoz and Fougera over alleged generic-drug price manipulation; Iowa’s share is about $1.38M. Vermont Business & Community: Vermont Historical Society acquired Big Heavy World’s music collection, preserving a key archive of the state’s music scene. Local Economy: Casella Waste Systems says it will close its Bethlehem, N.H. landfill a year early, ending municipal solid waste acceptance Dec. 31.

Vermont politics & elections: Gov. Phil Scott and challenger Amanda Janoo are trading sharply different cost-cutting visions as new fundraising shows Janoo outraising Scott in September, tightening a race that polls show is close. Privacy & cybersecurity: Slate Valley school district refused a ransom after a cyberattack; separately, national class-action firms are probing data-breach claims tied to Poppins Payroll and Millstone Medical Outsourcing, both reported to Vermont authorities. Healthcare & community impact: Float Away Wellness Spa is partnering with UVM Athletics to bring floatation therapy to student-athletes, while Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice received a $7,200 grant to support adult home healthcare. Food safety: Stewart’s Shops recalled two ice cream flavors in Vermont, New York and New Hampshire after a metal contamination report. Business & tourism: Hello Burlington expects fewer Canadian “leaf peepers” again, citing tariff-related uncertainty. Energy & climate policy: States and cities sued the Trump EPA over power-plant emissions rollbacks, and Vermont’s AG also pushed for more spending in underfunded areas.

Health & Philanthropy: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH) received a $7,200 grant from NorthCountry Federal Credit Union to expand its Adult Home Healthcare program, serving 1,700 Central Vermonters annually as Medicare reimbursement cuts widen the funding gap. Veterans & Business Partnerships: Cannatrol’s Cool Cure Limited Edition program added Operation Green Healing as its exclusive nonprofit partner, with proceeds supporting veterans’ wellness and outreach. Workforce & Education: Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation’s Pipelines and Pathways Reality Fair returns Oct. 6 at Leland & Gray High School, bringing more than 250 students into hands-on financial literacy and career “life budgeting” simulations. State Government Appointments: Gov. Phil Scott named Nick Kramer deputy commissioner of the Department of Human Resources and Shabnam Nolan deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services. Local Economy & Housing: Barre won remaining north-end flood recovery funds after the Vermont Community Development Board approved its housing projects. Construction & Commuting: Vermont’s weekly highway work schedule flags ongoing line striping and I-89 paving/bridge work with lane closures and reduced speeds. Energy Policy: Multiple state attorneys general, including Vermont’s, are suing to block federal rollbacks of fuel economy standards.

Health Care Funding: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice received a $7,200 grant from NorthCountry Federal Credit Union to support its Adult Home Healthcare program, serving more than 1,700 Central Vermonters annually as Medicare reimbursement pressures widen. Workforce & Education: The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation’s Pipelines and Pathways Reality Fair returns Oct. 6 with a hands-on financial literacy format for more than 250 students. State Government Appointments: Gov. Phil Scott named Nick Kramer deputy commissioner of the Department of Human Resources and Shabnam Nolan deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services. Youth Justice: A new Vermont study finds 18-year-olds handled in family court are less likely to reoffend than those processed in adult criminal court, supporting the state’s “Raise the Age” direction. Business & Community: Vermont Professionals of Color Network launched Equity Exchange, an online portal matching white allies offering free professional services with BIPOC entrepreneurs and job seekers. Local Economy & Culture: The Vermont Historical Society acquired Big Heavy World’s Vermont music archive, preserving a key piece of the state’s music-industry growth.

Health Care Funding: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice received a $7,200 grant from NorthCountry Federal Credit Union to support Adult Home Healthcare for more than 1,700 Central Vermonters, as Medicare reimbursement cuts squeeze home-care margins. Workforce & Community Finance: Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation’s Pipelines and Pathways Reality Fair returns Oct. 6 at Leland & Gray High School, using hands-on financial literacy games for 250+ students. State Government Appointments: Gov. Phil Scott named Nick Kramer deputy commissioner of the Department of Human Resources and Shabnam Nolan deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services. Local Business & Growth: Choice Hotels expanded its upscale portfolio with new Cambria and Ascend openings that include a Sun Lodge in Peru, Vermont. Agriculture & Energy Innovation: A Vermont couple’s solar-grazing model has scaled from 30 sheep to 500 sheep managing vegetation across 1,500 acres of solar sites in the Northeast. Legal & Consumer Impact: Vermont is among states challenging EPA power-plant emissions rollbacks, while separate multistate actions seek compensation for alleged generic drug price-fixing.

Flood Recovery Funding: Vermont officials announced $31 million in federal flood recovery dollars for loggers and farmers, with applications opening Oct. 26 for grants up to $75,000. Energy & Local Impact: A Texas company is pitching battery storage on the former Vermont Yankee site, and Vernon residents are weighing potential costs and risks. AI in Health Care: UVM received up to $38 million to build an “AI twin” of critically ill patients to help guide individualized clinical trials. Workforce & Education: Vermont State University is racking up energy savings with Efficiency Vermont support, while Brattleboro’s Reality Fair is bringing hands-on financial literacy to more than 250 students. Business & Community: NorthCountry Federal Credit Union awarded CVHHH $7,200 to support adult home healthcare, and the Brattleboro Regional Chamber honored local business leaders at its annual awards. Policy Watch: Proposed Vermont AADC rules could force changes to how online services present content to minors, with a comment deadline of Oct. 2. Data Privacy: A class-action firm is investigating claims tied to a Saber Healthcare data breach that included Vermont residents.

Health & Innovation: UVM won up to $38M from ARPA-H to build AI-powered “digital twins” that model critically ill patients’ immune responses, aiming to cut ICU stays by 25%. Local Economy & Workforce: Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation’s Reality Fair returns Oct. 6 with an interactive financial literacy event for 250+ students, pairing “life” budgeting with hands-on money skills. Community Business Support: The Vermont Professionals of Color Network launched Equity Exchange, an online portal matching white allies who offer free professional services with BIPOC entrepreneurs and job seekers. Energy & Resilience: Green Mountain Power’s “virtual power plant” model—home batteries and other distributed resources—has grown to 110 MW across 5,500+ households, helping prevent outages. Public Policy Watch: Vermont Medicaid changes are set to begin Oct. 1, with immigration-status restrictions expected to affect the first wave of enrollees, followed by broader eligibility reviews next year. Infrastructure: Winooski reopened nearly 4,000 feet of Main Street after a $28.3M rebuild that added bike lanes, widened sidewalks, and upgraded utilities. Regulatory/Environment: DEC is urging shoreland owners to remove docks or let them freeze in place and to apply for Lake Encroachment Permits if using dock aeration devices.

Data Privacy & Enforcement: Vermont is among states tied to a multistate settlement with Labcorp over the 2019 AMCA data breach, with the coalition citing vendor-management failures after sensitive patient data was exposed. Energy & Local Land Use: In Vernon, residents pressed a Texas firm studying the former Vermont Yankee site over a proposed battery storage project, raising concerns about noise, safety, taxes and jobs. Healthcare & Community Impact: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital says it will keep its birthing center open, but leaders warn long-term stability depends on additional state support as maternity losses strain finances. Workforce & Education: Vermont State University is credited with saving more than $600,000 a year through Efficiency Vermont projects, while Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation’s Reality Fair returns with a hands-on financial literacy focus for students. Business & Trade: Vermont officials and businesses say new restrictions on some Canadian imports are affecting only a small slice of cross-border goods, with retailers adjusting inventory plans. Civic Finance: Bennington residents and select board discuss how to spend potential Local Option Tax revenue if voters approve the measure. Arts & Culture: Weston Theater Company launches “Weston Works” to develop original productions with a new cohort of Vermont-connected artists.

Data Privacy & Legal Action: Edelson Lechtzin says it’s investigating the Gallagher Transport International breach after the customs broker disclosed exposure of sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, affecting at least 14 Vermont residents. AI & Energy Policy: Angie Nixon wants to co-sponsor Bernie Sanders’ federal moratorium on new data centers, arguing the buildout could repeat harms seen at Superfund sites. Healthcare Costs: ACA open enrollment for 2027 is set to bring higher premiums, insurer exits, and subsidy changes that could reshape coverage choices for Vermonters. Housing Market: Vermont’s market is tilting back toward buyers as listings rise and homes take longer to sell, though affordability remains a major drag. Medicare Advantage Fallout: Vermont’s Medicare Advantage options have collapsed from eight plans to three, leaving nearly two-thirds of beneficiaries without access to coverage in many areas. Schools & Community Planning: Harwood’s district is weighing school consolidation to avoid steep budget penalties, while Act 170 merger work is moving forward across Vermont. Public Safety & Environment: Vermont DEC is urging shoreland owners to skip dock aeration devices that can create unsafe open-water pools, and Vermont Fish & Wildlife is closing a Hatchery Cove corridor to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon during fall spawning. Local Business & Community: Efficiency Vermont recognized Vermont State University for energy-saving upgrades, cutting costs by more than $600,000 annually.

Healthcare & Workforce: HCRS won $3.6M to launch a 24/7 Mental Health Urgent Care Center in Brattleboro starting January 2027, adding crisis walk-in options and short-term residential stabilization beds. Education & Local Economy: Vermont’s Act 170 merger process is moving from planning to action, with first merger committee meetings set for Sept. 30 and districts wrestling with what consolidation means for schools, taxes and tuition. Public Safety & Health Policy: Burlington is one step closer to an Overdose Prevention Center after a non-binding letter of intent for a potential location was shared with city council; the project would include supervised consumption, drug checking, and referrals. Business & Energy: Efficiency Vermont named Vermont State University a Best Practices Exchange award recipient, citing $600,000+ in annual savings from controls optimization and LED upgrades across multiple campuses. Data & Consumer Protection: A coalition of 44 state attorneys general reached a multistate Labcorp data breach settlement, including injunctive relief and nearly $2.3M in payments. Environment & Development: Bennington’s solar developer filed a sweeping public records request tied to the town plan and proposed Apple Hill solar projects. Retail & Community Impact: Walmart’s Rutland move is still tied up in Act 250 permitting, with a Dec. 1 hearing and party-status disputes shaping who can appeal. Tech & Infrastructure: Big Tech, private equity and unions are forming a coalition to push back against state moves to freeze data center construction, arguing for standards instead. Local Journalism: My Local Press launched a free student journalism program to help high school and university reporters publish real local news.

Employee Ownership Push: Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak will chair a new task force to expand employee ownership, aiming to help businesses plan succession and keep local firms rooted as a “succession cliff” looms. Retirement Savings Milestone: Vermont Saves says it has topped $10 million saved for retirement since launching in 2024, with thousands of workers using the no-cost workplace program. Workforce + Housing Summit: The Vermont Chamber’s Solutions Summit brought business and lawmakers together on workforce growth, housing, affordability, community vitality and AI adoption. Mental Health Access Grant: HCRS won $3.6 million to build a 24/7 Mental Health Urgent Care Center in Brattleboro starting January 2027, expanding crisis options for youth and adults. Education Attendance Plan: Vermont is rolling out new steps to reduce chronic absenteeism, including transportation, mental health support and after-school incentives. Agriculture Funding Opportunity: The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Service Provider & Producer Association Grant is open now through Nov. 5, with an Oct. 1 webinar for applicants. Local Business Events: St. Albans’ Rail City Tattoo Convention returns Oct. 3-4, highlighting Vermont’s growing creative economy.

Vermont forestry & farm grants: The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) Service Provider & Producer Association Grant is open now through Nov. 5 (optional webinar Oct. 1). The program offers non-repayable support for business planning, workforce development, marketing, and other services for Vermont farm and forest operators. Mental health access: HCRS won $3.6 million from the Vermont Department of Mental Health to build a 24/7 Mental Health Urgent Care Center in Brattleboro, with walk-in services starting Jan. 2027 and added short-term residential stabilization beds. Food insecurity push: Vermont’s legal community raised $20,033 in two weeks for the annual Fighting Hunger Food and Diaper Drive, supplying food and essentials through the Vermont Foodbank. Lake Champlain fishing rules: A portion of Hatchery Cove in Grand Isle will close to fishing Oct. 1–Nov. 30 to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon migrating to Hatchery Brook. Local business & development: Bennington City Council approved a 1.4% property tax levy reduction, advanced Neumeyer Farm Phase 2, and cleared zoning changes for a micro-distillery. Data breach notice: Marion Military Institute says an unknown party accessed its network in February, exposing names and bank routing/account details for affected people.