Current News
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Dr Levine acknowledged we are all facing pandemic fatigue — adjusting our routines, forgoing social and family activities, and being relentlessly reminded to wear a mask and keep a distance from one another. But we still have to wait a little longer for a COVID vaccine, and we are seeing cases increase — both nationwide and closer to home, he said.
by tim
VBSR As COVID-19 continues to impact our families, communities, and economy, we here at VBSR remain committed to providing our members with the resources needed to endure through this crisis. Please read on for key updates on a pair of relief programs that may be available to your and your employees.
by tim
The program includes electric, landline telephone, Vermont Gas and private water companies [Note: municipal water department service is not eligible for this program.]
by tim
Public Assets Institute The pandemic has hurt employment in every corner of the state. Nearly 25,000 fewer Vermonters worked in September 2020 than in September 2019—a decline of 7.5 percent. Employment fell by as much as 9 percent, depending on the county, with the northwest corner of Vermont—Grand Isle, Chittenden, and Franklin counties—seeing the largest drops.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that the seasonally-adjusted statewide unemployment rate for September was 4.2 percent. This reflects a decrease of six-tenths of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate of 4.8 percent. The Labor Force again decreased, accounting for most of the rate decline. The number of unemployed also fell. Meanwhile, the total number of employed was down by 707. The comparable US was 7.9 percent. Vermont has the third lowest rate in the nation, behind Nebraska (3.5 percent) and South Dakota (4.1 percent).
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Peregrine Design/Build has announced that Jillian Bartolo and Griffin Allen, two long-time employees, will be taking over ownership of the company upon Tim Frost’s retirement in 2024. Collectively, Jillian and Griffin bring 20 years of design & construction experience to this leadership role.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine VSECU is announcing the annual launch of We Care 2, a member-directed giving program that distributes $50,000 to Vermont nonprofit organizations. Now through November 25, VSECU is accepting applications from Vermont-based nonprofit organizations that make a positive and direct impact on issues of food, shelter, heat, financial education, or the environment. Programs or organizations that are specifically focused on COVID-19 relief efforts will be given priority consideration.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine For the second year in a row, Rutland Regional Medical Center is one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement according to new research released by Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians and health systems. Every year, Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance at nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide for 32 of the most common inpatient procedures and conditions using Medicare data, and outcomes in appendectomy and bariatric surgery using all-payer data provided by 16 states.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Flex-A-Seal, Inc, based in Williston, and Houston-based Momentum Engineered Systems, Inc announced Monday a merger to provide a unified mechanical seal and systems approach to the fluid sealing market. The two companies will each commit their assets to the new entity and the combined group will operate under the name Flexaseal Engineered Seals and Systems, LLC. Financial terms were not disclosed. The new company will maintain operations in Williston, VT, Houston, TX and Gonzales, LA with the corporate headquarters in Williston.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine On October 1, the North Central Vermont Recovery Center (NCVRC) launched the Moms in Recovery Support Program and appointed Johnson resident Crystal Bolio as the program’s coordinator. The Moms in Recovery Support Program is a groundbreaking suite of services tailored to the specific needs of pregnant and parenting mothers in need of support through their journey in recovery from Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) as well as their families.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region has been awarded $4,680.00 through the Rotary Foundation COVID-19 Recovery Global Grant to help purchase much-needed technology to help the agency adapt to the changing realities of providing home health care and hospice during an epidemic. A $35,000 Global Grant was secured by Rutland City Rotary, Rutland South Rotary, Killington Pico Rotary, and West Rutland Rotary in partnership with the Rotary District and Rotary International and distributed to eight local organizations.
by tim
Health insurer is one of four in the nation to offer the innovative Medicare plan
Vermont Business Magazine MVP Health Care today announced that Vermont seniors can now, for the first time, sign up for the MVP SmartFund MSA Plan during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7, 2020. This innovative new plan offers seniors additional financial flexibility when choosing a health plan.
“With nearly a quarter of Vermont’s population enrolled in Medicare–the fourth greatest percentage of state Medicare patients in the nation–it is important that each individual has access to a health insurance plan that meets their unique needs,” said MVP Health Care’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Del Vecchio. “MVP Health Care is proud to be the first health insurer in Vermont to offer this pioneering insurance option to seniors.”