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This week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment introduced by Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) that would expand the federal housing assistance program to cover previously ineligible expenses of low income mobile home owners. The bipartisan initiative was approved as an amendment to the Housing Opportunities Through Modernization Act (H.R. 3700), which passed the House and will now go to the Senate for further consideration.

Vermont's Secretary of Agriculture, Chuck Ross, issued his revised decision regarding the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) petition to require mandatory Best Management Practices (BMPs) for farms in the Missisquoi Bay Basin. The Revised Secretary's Decision makes a threshold determination that BMPs are necessary in the basin to achieve compliance with Vermont's water quality goals.

The Vermont Farm Show, the state's annual winter event showcasing the state's most important industry, will open its three day stand on Tuesday, January 26, at 9:00 a.m. Over 150 vendors will be on hand to promote new technology and information to visitors of all ages. The Miller Buildings on the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds - as well as outside space - will be full of a variety of exhibits that include 3 different sizes of robotic milkers, 16 agricultural associations, 4 insurance companies, 4 lending institutions and a variety of large and small equipment dealers. Forestry and solar companies will also be in attendance

Senator Patrick Leahy, Governor Peter Shumlin and representatives of Senator Sanders and Congressman Welch were joined by United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in Burlington Friday to announce a $46 million federal loan program to bolster investments in energy efficiency and renewable power projects across Vermont.

Composites BHS, a Sherbrooke-based manufacturer, has selected St. Johnsbury, Vermont for its expansion into the United States. This new investment will facilitate the creation of approximately 75 new jobs over the next several years. The company will locate in the St. Johnsbury-Lyndonville Industrial Park in an existing building.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today awarded $46 million in assistance to the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) to support energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements in rural areas across the state.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is now accepting proposals from Vermont businesses and organizations for vending and exhibiting space in the Vermont Building at the 2016 Eastern States Exposition ("The Big E") in West Springfield, Massachusetts. The 2016 fair dates are September 16th - October 2nd. Approximately 1 million patrons passed through the Vermont Building during the 2015 Big E, spending nearly $1.7 million on Vermont products.

In response to growing demand from Vermont homeowners seeking to invest in energy-efficient upgrades that can help them save money on their heating and electricity bills, Gov. Peter Shumlin today announced continued funding of a program that has an outstanding track record for helping homeowners meet their energy efficiency needs.

Captive Review Magazine, a leading publication for the captive insurance industry based in London, has released their ranking of the "Power 50" regarded as the "most influential professionals in the global captive insurance industry." According to over 1,400 industry professionals contributing to the poll, Vermont maintains considerable influence.

The deadline to submit public comment to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) regarding the draft Required Agricultural Practices (RAP) rules is December 18th, 2015.

Earlier this week, HUD published the final 2016 Fair Market Rent standards that will take effect as of tomorrow, December 11, 2015. FMRs are intended to represent the dollar amount below which 40 percent of the standard-quality rental housing units in an area are rented. They are used in HUD rental assistance programs, including the Section 8 and HOME programs.

Cathedral Square recently won the Annual TD Charitable Foundation Housing for Everyone Affordable Housing Grant Competition and was awarded $100,000 to help fund the construction of Elm Place. The theme for this year's "Housing for Everyone" was Affordable Housing for Seniors. This theme focused on the development of safe, affordable and accessible housing for adults 55 and over

Gov. Peter Shumlin today announced the completion of a 500 kilowatt solar net metering project at the Southern State Correctional Facility, the fifth of seven state correctional facilities to be powered by solar.

AHS Secretary Hal Cohen and DCF Commissioner Ken Schatz announced today that Vermont has been awarded approximately $18.4 million in federal funds for this year's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) also known as Seasonal Fuel Assistance. These funds will help about 24,700 low-income Vermont households to heat their homes this winter by paying a portion of their home heating bills.

Based on a show of interest and support from the residents of the City of Newport at a public meeting on September 14, 2015, VLT has negotiated a Purchase and Sales contract for the 129-acre property ahead of the scheduled October 23 foreclosure auction

A large tract of forestland in the towns of Reading and Bridgewater was permanently conserved by the Meccawe Club, the Vermont Land Trust announced today. The Meccawe Club is a 100-year-old private trout fishing club. Over the years it had acquired lands to protect Meccawe Pond and provide for the club’s future

Gov. Peter Shumlin has joined eight Governors from across the country in sending a letter to Congressional leadership urging an end to current trade sanctions imposed against Cuba by the United States. Ending those restrictions could open up an 11 million person market for many Vermont industries, including dairy, renewable energy, consumer and manufactured goods, technology, tourism and others

The 2016 Vermont Watershed Grants Program is now accepting applications for funding projects that help Vermonters protect, restore and enjoy the state's watersheds. The applications are due no later than Friday, November 20, 2015