Your morning starts here.

VMEC was awarded $812,300 from the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, managed by NIST (a Commerce bureau) and the Vermont State Colleges System; the grant will help small manufacturers upgrade technology and takes effect Oct.

1.

Blue Cross VT held its Community Give Back Day Thursday, sending nearly 100 volunteers to work with nonprofits including the Intervale Center & Meals on Wheels during Hunger Action Month.

President Beth Roberts said the effort supports health benefits by boosting community nutrition.

Ben & Jerry's announced a $3 million, unrestricted investment in People’s Action Institute’s Organizing Revival to boost grassroots training ahead of the midterms.

The funding supports long-term community leadership and local organizing work that aims to build power beyond any one election cycle.

State care board orders require Vermont hospitals to lower commercial rates to slow insurance premium hikes and push cost cuts without raising patient bills.

Some hospital leaders warn that cuts could lead to fewer jobs and reduced services in the coming fiscal year (starting Oct. 1).

Vermont Poet Laureate Bianca Stone will share her reading of 'L'ignorant' (translated by Joseph Acquisto) on Morning Edition this month, with music selected by Helen Lyons from Vermont Public Classical.

The Food Systems Research Station at Nordic Farm, developed by the University of Vermont + USDA, officially opened Thursday to test farming methods for local farmers.

Researchers are beginning studies on cow behavior, grazing systems, and crop production with the goal of boosting Vermont’s farming practices over the coming months.

The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission launched a Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund on 9/16 in Winooski with $815,000 available to offer loans up to $250,000 and grants up to $150,000 for cleaning contaminated sites into new homes and community facilities.

Applicants must show redevelopment progress to meet local housing targets.

Business and policy leaders met in Burlington on Sept.

17 for the Vermont Solutions Summit hosted by Heritage Family Credit Union to turn shared challenges into tangible solutions. Attendees discussed workforce growth, housing, community vitality, and AI adoption to build a stronger economy.