Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Northeast Correctional Complex (NECC) in St. Johnsbury is on full lockdown after seven incarcerated individuals in general population tested positive for COVID-19. All incarcerated individuals live in the same housing unit. The first case was detected through testing conducted October 25, resulting in the unit being placed on full lockdown. Testing on October 29 revealed six additional positive cases from that unit. As part of outbreak protocol, the entire facility was put on full lockdown upon receipt of the positive results Sunday.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor has announced an increase to the State’s minimum wage. Beginning January 1, 2022, the state’s minimum wage will become $12.55 per hour. This is an increase of $0.80 from the current minimum wage of $11.75. This annual adjustment also impacts the minimum wage for tipped employees. The Basic Tipped Wage Rate for service, or “tipped employees,” equals 50% of the full minimum wage. On January 1, 2022, the tipped minimum wage will increase from $5.88 to $6.28 per hour.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today that COVID-19 cases fell by more than 100to back under 200, as case counts have fluctuated for several weeks. COVID cases were 163 today, compared to 140 last Monday, 91 Tuesday, 164 Wednesday, 316 Thursday, 262 Friday, 179 Saturday and 278 Sunday. The five worst days for cases have all come since mid-September, as the Delta variant has taken over since early July. There were four more COVID fatalities reported today for 368 statewide, after two days with no deaths.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) has streamlined the licensing process for individuals who have worked in their field in another state for at least three years and are in good standing with that state. Since it was first implemented in April, over 850 licenses across 40 different license types have been issued through the fast-track endorsement process, including more than 450 nurses.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont and Burlington gas prices have risen 2.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.44 per gallon Monday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 100 stations in Burlington. Gas prices in Burlington are 28.0 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand $1.34/g higher than a year ago. The statewide average as of Thursday is $3.41/g compared to the US average of $3.40/g. Vermont gasoline prices had been running lower than the national average for most of the last year, and as recently as two weeks ago.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University’s Center for Global Resilience & Security hosts “Celebrating Women in Science,” a virtual roundtable and networking event on November 8, and a screening of the film “Picture A Scientist” on November 9. Both events are free and open to the public.

by Kendra Sowers, et al, CVTSE.org Our poorest and most diverse Vermont school districts have been critically underfunded for decades. This is due to inherent flaws in our pupil weighting formula, which directs how Vermont calculates student needs and allocates education funds across the state. The Pupil Weighting Factors Report of 2019, commissioned by the legislature and written by researchers from the University of Vermont and Rutgers University, concluded that Vermont does not currently recognize the actual costs of educating students who attend small schools, come from low-income households, live in rural areas or those who are English language learners.

Vermont Business Magazine Millions of plastic can carriers end up in the hands of Vermont’s craft beer and cider drinkers each year, with most being tossed into single-stream recycling bins because manufacturers market them as “100% recyclable.” What craft beverage producers, recycling companies, and some consumers have come to realize, however, is that while such marketing claims may be true in theory they don’t always hold up in reality. A new collaborative effort between Reusable Solutions, Eco-Friendly Beer, and Casella Waste Systems aims to implement a more sustainable system that extends the life of the rigid plastic packaging beyond just single use.

Vermont Business Magazine iSun, Inc, based in Williston, today announced preliminary operating results for the third quarter ending September 30, 2021, of its recently acquired residential and commercial subsidiary, SunCommon. Acquisition brings total Commercial and Industrial backlog to $90.3 million, including $6.2 and $3.4 million of new business in Vermont and New York, respectively. Residential backlog of $22.1 million includes $14.9 and $7.2 million of new business in Vermont and New York, respectively.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Foundation announced today that its Spark Connecting Community grant program has awarded $48,080 to 17 nonprofit organizations for local projects focusing on creative placemaking in communities across the state. The grants are made in partnership with several generous fundholders who contributed through Giving Together, a program at the Community Foundation that shares grant proposals with fundholders and donors to provide an opportunity to co-fund projects. Spark Connecting Community is a competitive grant program at the Foundation that puts building and nurturing community front and center.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets USDA is now accepting applications for the 2022 Farm to School Grant. Farm to School grants support state, regional, and local organizations in planning, developing, and implementing farm to school programs. Grants are designed to help start new farm to school programs or expand existing efforts.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today that COVID-19 cases increased nearly 100 today and head back over 200. COVID cases were 140 on Monday to 91 Tuesday to 164 Wednesday to 316 Thursday to 262 Friday to 179 Saturday to 278 Sunday. The five worst days for cases have all come since mid-September, as the Delta variant has taken over since early July. Thursday was the fifth highest on record. COVID fatalities are holding at 364 statewide. There were 13 COVID fatalities this week.

There are 44 people hospitalized (down seven) with 9 in the ICU (down seven). Hospitalizations are high but have been stable.

There have been six deaths since Wednesday, with five coming among those 80+ and one in the 60-69 age band. Recent fatalities have been exclusively among older Vermonters.