Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM), the Vermont Agency of Human Services (AHS) and the Farm First Program are proud to announce the award of an USDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network – State Departments of Agriculture grant. The Agencies will collaborate with Farm First to provided expanded stress and mental health services to Vermont Farmers. The program will build on programs of the USDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, Northeast of which Farm First is a partner.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Department for Children and Families (DCF) announced today the approval of the use of $7.9 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to expand the Weatherization Assistance Program. Weatherization helps eligible households reduce their energy usage, lower their utility bills, and improve the comfort and safety of their homes. About $1.6 million of the additional funding will be used to provide “one-stop” comprehensive weatherization and efficiency improvements in multi-family housing. A household is eligible for no cost weatherization services if their gross household income is below 80% of the median income in their area. A family of four with an annual income of about $67,000 would be eligible in most Vermont communities.

Governor Phil Scott Good afternoon. Today’s briefing will focus on our weekly data update, vaccine boosters, plans for quickly vaccinating kids under 12, and use of rapid tests and contact tracing to keep kids in school. But before we dive into those updates, I want to define more clearly what I mean when I ask Vermonters to think about personal responsibility at this point in our COVID response. I see this as the key to moving forward because what we did for 15 months – before vaccines – was necessary, but is not sustainable, or good for our well-being. Specifically, I want to talk about the connection between personal responsibility and keeping those at greatest risk, meaning the oldest people in our lives, especially those with underlying conditions, out of the hospital. And how by making some easy choices, we can also help regulate case counts that can lead to hospitalizations and transition from pandemic to endemic.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting that cases fell modestly for the third straight day with 137 cases of COVID-19 (down 65 cases) after setting a pandemic record of 342 on Saturday. The three worst days for cases have all come since mid-September, as the Delta variant has taken over since early July. There may be some variability from day to day because of when cases are reported to the VDH, but the seven-day average remains high. Scott used strong language today for those who are unvaccinated. While he wasn't scolding them for not getting vaccinated, he said that anyone who was not vaccinated and then did not follow the simple health protocols (wearing a mask inside in a public place and staying home if sick, etc) is being "selfish."

Vermont Business Magazine For the third year in a row, Vermont Electric Co-op (VEC) has received the prestigious Cigna Well-Being Award from the insurance company Cigna. VEC is the only company in Cigna’s book of business that has won the award three years running.

Vermont Business Magazine Sun Country Airlines (NASDAQ: SNCY) today announced that it will begin service to Burlington International Airport (BTV) from Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport (MSP) beginning June 16, 2022. As the airline's name suggests, its year-round service from MSP is to warm-weather destinations. Most of the cities it serves, like the new BTV route, are seasonal. Sun Country's other nearby airports include Boston, Hartford, Portland and Providence. Introductory fares are as low as $89 one-way. Today’s announcement is part of a larger expansion by the airline, as it announced 11 new nonstop routes and welcomed seven new airports to its growing network.

Vermont Business Magazine The Renal Dialysis team at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), was the recipient of the DAISY Team Award for Extraordinary Nurses in September. This was the first time SVMC has honored a team with a DAISY award.

Vermont Business Magazine Late Monday evening the Burlington City Council voted by a margin of 8-4 to raise the authorized cap of officers at the Burlington Police Department to 79 officers. With an additional 8 officers at the Airport currently, this action effectively raises the cap from 74 to 87 officers.

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Weinberger on Monday announced next steps toward ending the unsafe living conditions at the Sears Lane encampment, and expanding short- and mid-term housing services in Burlington during this period of acute housing shortage. Dangerous incidents at the site have included police and federal law enforcement partners executing a warrant following a month-long narcotics investigation and a camper pointing an assault-style airsoft gun (a replica pellet gun) at Burlington Fire personnel who were responding to a medical call. The Fire Department has also determined that some of the structures that have been erected illegally on the site pose a significant fire risk to occupants and other campers on the site.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development — VT/NH (RD) announced that its $28,271,073 direct loan to the Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) for constructing the Thomas W. Huebner Medical Office Building closed at a 2.25% interest rate, significantly lower than the 3.875% rate at origination. The reduction is expected to save $10,769,125 over the 35-year loan term. USDA Community Facility loans allow interest rates to go lower at the time of closing but never higher than at obligation.

by Julie Lowell, Public Assets Institute The pandemic has demanded quick responses from government over the past 18 months, from protecting public health to making sure Vermonters had food, shelter, and financial security during an unprecedented economic rollercoaster. On the whole, our government has gotten a lot of things right: access to testing and treatment for COVID-19, a massive vaccine rollout in a matter of weeks, and financial support to Vermonters who needed it. Most of the funding came from the feds, but the Vermont Legislature and the governor deserve a lot of credit for their part in the pandemic response.

Vermont Business Magazine Mamava, the category creator of freestanding lactation suites, announces the acquisition of its manufacturing operations based in Springfield, Vermont. The business will now operate as Mamava Manufacturing, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mamava, Inc. This vertical integration provides greater autonomy in new product development, enhances Mamava’s design capabilities, and creates production efficiencies that will both improve customer experience and drive business growth. There are currently 1,900+ Mamava pods across all 50 states and Puerto Rico.