Aqua ViTea preps for growth with expanded slate of executives

MIDDLEBURY — Aqua ViTea, the Middlebury maker of the fermented, tea-based beverage kombucha, has just hired a slate of new executives to help it substantially grow its business. Hailing from nationally recognized consumer good brands including Heineken International, Red Bull North America, Unreal and more, Aqua ViTea said its new hires will build out the brand’s distribution partnerships and expand its retail presence. An important target for that growth is to expand sales of its alcoholic kombucha line, c … (read more)

MIDDLEURY — The Middlebury selectboard on Tuesday unanimously endorsed the community’s new downtown master plan, a 138-page blueprint showing how the core village area could grow and flourish during the next decade and beyond. “It’s exceeded my expectatio … (read more)

BRISTOL — While choosing among candidates for federal, state and local offices this past Tuesday, Bristol voters also approved updates to the 2017 Bristol Zoning Regulations, which advocates say will make the town more business-friendly. Three of the most … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury should resume its economic development efforts through a new entity — either hired or volunteer — that would reach out to business prospects, as well as invest in better broadband infrastructure to boost nascent and growing enterpr … (read more)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal hemp regulations that were scheduled to go into effect at the end of this month have been delayed for a year, according to the office of Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. The hemp rules, which were written by the U.S. Department of Agri … (read more)

MONTPELIER — Vermonters who have seen COVID-19 affect their employment can access more than 100 free classes and training opportunities this fall through the Vermont State Colleges System, thanks to a $2.3 million allocation of Coronavirus Relief Funds (C … (read more)

MONTPELIER —Vermont’s minimum wage is going up. Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, the state’s minimum wage will increase 79 center per hour, from $10.96 to $11.75 per hour, Vermont Department of Labor announced. The calculation for this increase is in accordance wi … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Matthew Robinson and Serena Kim are planning ahead for a big wedding at their new acquisition, Middlebury’s historic Swift House Inn. Their own. It’ll be on July 3, 2021, which will carry symbolism for them for a number of reasons — not the l … (read more)

BRISTOL — Because of the pandemic, Bristol will not be holding its annual Harvest Fest this year, but it will host a Harvest Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participating Bristol businesses will be offering great buys, end-of-s … (read more)

Addison County Economic Development Corp. offers news bites of interest to our local businesses. Vermont Emergency Economic Recovery Grant Program Update Applications are still being accepted for the Vermont Emergency Economic Recovery Grants through the … (read more)

Consumer studies consistently show that during the COVID-19 pandemic one factor potential customers consider before doing business with a store, company or service is how safe they feel.  One major July study from global research firm Ipsos reached this c … (read more)

Doug Hoffer, the state auditor, has been criticizing the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive Program, or VEGI, for more than 20 years. Hoffer wrote about the program in 1999, back when it was called Economic Advancement Tax Incentive, or EATI. Back then, … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Addison County’s largest employer on Friday announced a new staff leave policy, with the hope of minimizing the risk sick employees might pose to the campus community and to provide a financial cushion for those who may need to be quarantined … (read more)

The Agency of Commerce and Community Development this week launched the Restart Vermont Regional Marketing and Stimulus Grant Program. The program will provide $500,000 in grants to organizations for efforts and activities related to economic recovery, co … (read more)

SHOREHAM — One of the founders of WhistlePig Rye Whiskey in Shoreham this week was announced as the winning bidder for the former Green Mountain College property in Poultney, an asset he plans to maintain and operate for educational purposes. Raj Peter Bh … (read more)