Current News

Supporting electrification infrastructure and equity for Vermonters

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont House has passed comprehensive transportation and appropriations bills that include significant investments in the state’s efforts to electrify the economy, including funding for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) in public power communities. VPPSA represents its 11 community-owned electric utility members as a leading advocate for this funding and celebrates reaching this stage in the legislative process.

Vermont Business Magazine Tuesday morning, Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray and colleagues from across the nation met with Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, DC, to discuss the needs of states coming out of the pandemic, particularly rural broadband access. Since taking Office in January 2021, Gray has consistently advocated to close the broadband gap in Vermont, convening experts, supporting increased federal funding, as well as calling for increased state investments in telehealth. Gray also made the case that broadband access must be considered the modern day highway for human rights, including the right to health, education, and government participation.

Vermont Business Magazine TIME announced today that Green Mountain Power (GMP) is named one of the top 100 influential companies in the world. The annual TIME100 Most Influential Companies list highlights companies making an extraordinary impact around the world. GMP was chosen for its pioneering grid transformation work including large-scale projects and its innovative home battery storage programs that provide power to customers during outages and save millions for all customers by driving down costs and carbon emissions. GMP is also doing groundbreaking work to integrate electric vehicles into the grid to benefit all.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Health Network has agreed to commercial contract terms with UnitedHealthcare (UHC) for the coming contract year. The agreement runs through March 31, 2023, and affects about 2,900 subscribers (about 2,000 in Vermont) and their families in Vermont and Northern New York who have UHC coverage through their employers. UHC has been leaning on hospital groups across the East to lower their costs.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 87 cases of COVID-19 for Monday. There were 56 Sunday, 104 on Saturday and 143 Friday. Cases have fallen by 11 percent in the last week (131 cases). The VDH reported two additional deaths today for 617 statewide. There have been 13 fatalities in March. The state is on pace for the fewest COVID-related deaths since last July.

Vermont Business Magazine CATIC, a regional title insurance company, announced six, $10,000 gifts to affordable housing nonprofits serving every region of the State of Vermont. The six organizations are: Champlain Housing Trust; Downstreet Housing and Community Development; Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, Franklin/Grand Isle; NeighborWorks of Western Vermont; RuralEdge; Windham and Windsor Housing Trust.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Scott and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation announced on Monday March 28 the award of nearly 5 million dollars in funding to 24 outdoor recreation projects statewide including three - in Groton, Cabot and Montpelier - that will help extend the Cross Vermont Trail network.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Department of Corrections Commissioner Nicholas Deml announced key leadership changes Tuesday at Northern State Correctional Facility (NSCF) in Newport. NSCF Superintendent Scott Martin has been placed on paid administrative leave and will not be returning to his position. Assistant Superintendent Mike Koehler will serve as Acting Superintendent until further notice.

Vermont Business Magazine On Monday night the Barton Village Trustees voted unanimously to recommend the sale of Barton Electric Department (BED) to Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC). The vote followed a three-year process of developing a long-term plan for Barton Village and Barton Electric, including almost three years of contracting with VEC for services, following the departure of Barton’s manager and line workers in April 2019. The decision is the result of a thorough process that included a Request for Proposal, “Sale of Assets of Barton Electric Department” issued by the Village Trustees on September 27, 2021, and delivered to Vermont’s distribution utilities, including all municipal electric utilities.

Photos courtesy of VOREC, Onion River Outdoors, Timber & Stone, Kaden Apparel

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) received a $150,000 grant from the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) Community Grant Program for workforce development and business assistance in the outdoor recreation sector in Washington, Caledonia, and Rutland Counties.

Big Change Roundup Supports Vital Services During Difficult Times

Vermont Business Magazine The annual “Big Change Roundup for Kids” is officially underway. Over the next five weeks, from March 28 to April 29, civic organizations, community members, businesses and key partners including New England Federal Credit Union, Maplefields and Med Associates, Inc., will round up donations to support specialized care and vital services provided at The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital. The program is the largest annual fundraiser for the non-profit medical center, and is a joint project of 98.9 WOKO-FM and the UVM Children’s Hospital.

Vermont Business Magazine Patients and visitors entering Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), will use an alternative entrance starting Wednesday, March 30. Named the “canopy entrance,” for the prominent tent-like structure and enclosed walkway, it is accessed using the second right turn for patients entering the hospital campus from Dewey Street. The canopy entrance will be used for many patient services—including emergency department, laboratory, imaging, surgery, endoscopy, sleep studies, and visitors to inpatient units—for approximately 16 months, while the current main entrance and the adjacent Emergency Department undergo a significant renovation and expansion.