Current News

Vermont Business Magazine University of Vermont Health today informed employees that 142 positions have been eliminated. Of those, 76 positions have been permanently eliminated, and 66 will be posted as new roles with restructured job descriptions. The majority of these workforce reductions are in areas not providing direct patient care, with targeted clinical changes where necessary. UVM Health also notified additional employees that the health system is undertaking a reorganization of their positions or departments. These actions are part of a larger and urgent effort to address significant financial shortfalls, improve sustainability, and ensure long-term access to high-quality health care across the region.

Vermont Business Magazine The Snelling Center for Government has announced the graduates of the Vermont Leadership Institute Class of 2026. As the 31st cohort of the Vermont Leadership Institute, the Class of 2026 joins a professional network of over 1100 Snelling Center alumni, including more than 725 VLI graduates who continue to engage with Vermont’s local and statewide communities, positively impacting public policy, education, community development, and a wide range of volunteer and non-profit sector roles. 

Vermont League of Cities & Towns If you know a local official or legislator who is exceptionally dedicated to local government, nominate that person by Friday, July 31 for one of VLCT’s 2026 awards.Also, The Vermont Department of Labor is launching its new online reporting platform. Employers must file all new hire reports electronically in the new Unemployment Insurance system within 10 calendar days of the first date of employment. In the modernized unemployment insurance system, only one file format will be accepted for quarterly wage reporting. This format was developed by the Interstate Conference of Employment Security Agencies (ICESA) and is commonly referred to as the ICESA Format. Please review the ICESA format specifications and validations documents on the department’s website. The new system should be live effective with the Q2 reporting (open July 6), so expect to file your Q2 wage reports in the new system.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health has reported have COVID-19 hospitalizations remain at a negligible level. They are at a similar level to the levels seen last summer. There were no measles cases after one reported in Vermont in February in Washington County and the national outbreak is over. Meanwhile, RSV, Norovirus and Flu A, which had been elevated in some samples, have mostly disappeared. Flu B, which was prevalent in Vermont and across the US during the late winter and early spring, has quieted.

Vermont Business Magazine The Community College of Vermont (CCV) has announced that tuition for the 2027/2028 academic year will remain flat. At $290 per credit for in-state students, CCV offers the lowest tuition in Vermont. CCV’s commitment to access is the driving force behind multiple low- and no-cost tuition programs, including the 802Opportunity program, administered by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), which provides free CCV tuition to Vermonters with a household income of $100,000 or less.

Vermont Business Magazine A final ruling was issued by the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts yesterday, finding the Trump Administration’s policy imposing a $100,000 tax payment on new H-1B visa petitions unlawful and vacating it. H-1B visas allow U.S. employers to hire highly skilled foreign national workers in roles that require specialized skills, including as teachers, physicians, researchers, nurses, and other vital workers, to alleviate nationwide labor shortages. The tax created a costly barrier for employers, weakened the economy, and disrupted essential services, especially for public sector and government employers trying to fill these positions. Attorney General Clark joined a multistate coalition in challenging the policy late last year.

Vermont Business Magazine The Poultney Rotary Club continued its tradition of presenting scholarships to eligible Poultney High School seniors who demonstrate scholastic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to service beyond self.  This year Poultney Rotary Club awarded a total of $15,650 in scholarships to Poultney High School seniors at the June 5th Graduation Ceremony. The scholarships are in memory of Russell I. Williams, Jr., Nancy L. Mazur, and Steven Broughton for use in supporting the further education of selected seniors. 

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington School District will continue its longstanding tradition of providing meals to children during summer months. Beginning Monday, June 22, the Burlington School Food Project will provide meals at no charge to kids 18 and under. Every Monday through Friday, lunches will be available from 11:30-12:30 behind Edmunds School, and supper will be provided at Roosevelt Park (57 Oak Street) from 4:30-5:30 PM. No fees, no registration, no residency requirements – all children are welcome. The District will also offer free meal boxes every week, each containing seven days of breakfast and lunch. Boxes will be available for pickup throughout Chittenden County.

Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross has an urgent need for donors and is counting on people to act now and book a time to give blood or platelets. Donors of all blood types and those giving platelets are needed to keep a strong supply of lifesaving blood products on hospital shelves into the summer. As summer heat ramps up, so do people’s plans, which could lead to postponed appointments or less opportunities to give ─ an especially troubling scenario at a time where the Red Cross has experienced an alarming drop in scheduled donations in recent weeks. In addition to many end-of-school year activities, travel and school breaks, June 1 marked the beginning of Atlantic hurricane season ─ a reminder that severe weather can also quickly disrupt the ability to donate in affected areas and potentially delay or cancel blood drives. 

Vermont Business Magazine At the Project SEARCH completion ceremony hosted Wednesday by UVM Health - University of Vermont Medical Center, Stacey Kelleher spoke about the growth she saw in her daughter, Juno, over the past year. Juno, who has Down syndrome and Type 1 diabetes, entered the program after graduating from Burlington High School. Kelleher says the year offered her daughter a chance to gain real workplace experience while taking an important step toward greater independence.

Vermont Business Magazine The Village at White River Junction, a Benchmark Assisted Living and Mind & Memory Care community, has appointed Danielle Nickerson of Bethel as executive director. Nickerson brings nearly a decade of Vermont healthcare leadership experience to the role. She previously served in management positions at senior living communities offering the full continuum of senior care, as well as dedicated assisted living communities in Northfield and Woodstock. With an early career background in human resources, Nickerson also brings extensive experience in team building, staff development and associate engagement.

Vermont Business Magazine The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) will host a free Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Educational Conference for Burlington-area residents on Wednesday, July 15 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm ET at the Burlington Harbor Hotel (25 Cherry Street, Burlington). The free conference, part of AFA’s National Educating Across America Tour, is open to everyone and will allow participants to learn from experts in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, brain health, caregiving, and advance planning. Register by visiting www.alzfdn.org/tour. Advance registration is highly recommended.