Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL) a leading broadband and business communications provider, is sharing resources and tips for small businesses to enhance data privacy, as small businesses are proven to be especially vulnerable to costly data breaches. The Small Business Association reports that small businesses are three times more likely to fall victim to cyberattacks, which an IBM study found to cost U.S. organizations an average of $9.44 million in 2022. Small businesses are more likely victims of attacks, often as a result of a lack of resources and knowledge in regard to prevention measures. While large organizations may have more financial resources, there are ways for all businesses to increase protection over their data.

Vermont Business Magazine VSECU and the Vermont Foodbank announced a new fall date for the Point to Point, powered by VSECU, a cycling event to raise funds and awareness to fight hunger in Vermont. The iconic annual event will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, in Montpelier, Vermont on the State House Lawn. Registration is now open for individuals and teams to sign up and enjoy scenic autumn rides through Central Vermont. The September date is scheduled to coincide with Hunger Action Month, a nationally recognized campaign encouraging action and advocacy for the fight to end hunger.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union has partnered with the National Guard Association of Vermont (NGA-VT) to award $1,000 scholarships to two very deserving students. This year’s recipients were chosen out of a pool of students who themselves or a family member serve in the Vermont National Guard. The 2023 recipients of the Vermont Federal Credit Union and NGA-VT scholarships are Hannah Smith and Abigail Rice.

Vermont Business Magazine February 4th & 5th, 2023 – The Winter Renaissance Faire returns to the Champlain Valley Exposition. Come inside from the cold and snow and join us for a full weekend of merriment and fun for the whole family. The Winter Renaissance Faire is an event for all ages, featuring a sundry of performance troupes including singers, musicians and dancers; as well as medieval living history and fight demonstrations.

Vermont Business Magazine Two units representing more than 2200 technical and support staff at The University of Vermont Medical Center, Vermont’s largest private-sector employer, overwhelmingly voted yes today to form a union and join AFT Vermont, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The final vote in the support staff unit was 997 to 163. The technical professional unit voted 123 to 18. The healthcare workers join 2,500 nurses and technical professionals who are already organized with AFT Vermont at the hospital. Higher wages, safe staffing, and respect on the job were three top issues motivating many support staff to organize, according to AFT.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported January 25, 2023, that hospitalizations have risen as have overall COVID-19 cases. COVID-19 activity had risen to a "Medium" level during the holidays after being in the "Low" range in the late fall, according to the VDH. Hospitalizations increased to 41 last week (they were as low as 30 last fall). Total cases increased to 455. Total COVID-related fatalities stand at 889, as of January 24. Of those, 703 have been of Vermonters 70 or older. There have been 3 deaths of Vermonters under 30. With 5 deaths in the last week and 13 so far this month, January is on pace to have the fewest COVID-related fatalities since the summer of 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine Grants are now available to support dynamic and innovative youth programs in Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Shaftsbury, and Woodford through the Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth at the Vermont Community Foundation. The Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth will award grants for creative and effective initiatives that empower and support Bennington-area teenagers, particularly those facing challenges and limited access to opportunities due to economic distress, disengagement from school, mental health issues, racism, gender identity, disability, legal status, or other reasons.

Vermont Business Magazine Representative Becca Balint (D-VT) has been named to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability in the 118th Congress. “I am honored to join the Committee on Oversight and am excited to get to work on urgent democracy reform under the leadership of Ranking Member Jamie Raskin,” said Rep. Becca Balint. “Democracy has been under attack, and I am committed to using all the grit and courage I have to protect it. I’m thrilled to join Oversight Democrats, who are dedicated to advancing the critical work required to maintain a healthy democratic system. ”

Vermont Business Magazine Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas and State Archivist Tanya Marshall announced today that the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA), a division of the Secretary of State’s Office, has been awarded a $34,000 state board programming grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), a statutory body affiliated with the National Archives and Records Administration. The grant supports the work of VSARA’s Vermont Historical Records Program (VHRP), which is a collaboration between VSARA and the Vermont Historical Records Advisory Board to build statewide capacity to preserve, and provide access to, Vermont’s rich documentary history.

Vermont Business Magazine To help voters in Chittenden County better understand the people and questions on their local ballots, Town Meeting TV will present a series of candidate forums and budget and ballot presentations during the months of January and February in advance of Town Meeting Day on March 7th. All Chittenden County candidates are invited to appear on candidate forums. Forums air live on Comcast channel 1087, Burlington Telecom channels 17 and 217, online at www.ch17.tv, and will be live-streamed on Town Meeting TV’s YouTube channel: YouTube.com/TownMeetingTV.

Vermont Business Magazine The team at Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists (BEVS) in Williston has opened a new department dedicated to caring for exotic animals. Just like dogs and cats, exotic pets need veterinary care and should be seen for routine exams, as well as when they are sick or injured. The Exotics Department team provides wellness/preventative care, nutrition, advanced diagnostics, medical management, and orthopedic and soft tissue surgery for: Small mammals including rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hedgehogs, and all pocket pets; All non-venomous reptiles; Most avian species including parrots, raptors, poultry, and waterfowl; Some small primates, such as marmosets, lemurs, and squirrel monkeys; Wildlife (with valid wildlife rehabilitator permit)

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont-based Aurora North, advised by JEGI CLARITY, has sold its Intapp Solutions Division to Wilson Allen, a portfolio company of Renovus Capital Partners. Founded in 2006, Aurora North is a Vermont-based software and services company. It is a leading provider of integrated technology solutions to law firms and other organizations delivering technology implementation, integration and advisory services as well as intellectual property software solutions through its flagship product PracticeLink.