Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting 245 COVID-19 cases, which was up from Tuesday's 187. There were 222 on Monday and 298 cases on Sunday. There were 463 COVID-19 cases on Saturday and 505 cases Friday, which was the second highest case count on record after they spiked to 591 last Thursday. There were 44 COVID-related deaths in Vermont in October, which was the third-worst month on record (December 2020, 71; September 2021, 50). There are 22 so far in November.

Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce wraps up another year of Vermont’s Stay To Stay Program this December with over 200 families registered, 50 plus people participating in Zoom meetings and 8 families moving to Southwestern Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Labor celebrated the seventh annual National Apprenticeship Week in Vermont today at Central Vermont Medical Center. Administered by the DOL, the Vermont Registered Apprenticeship Program brings together businesses, jobseekers, students, and educators to develop apprenticeship opportunities to meet the needs of employers and provide quality career paths for Vermonters through an “earn while you learn” model. Since 2017, enrollment for apprenticeships has totaled more than 8,880 across more than 35 programs. With a 90% job placement rate of apprentices nationally, employers on average see a return of $1.51 per every dollar spent on registered apprenticeship.

Vermont Business Magazine The CORI Innovation Fund (CIF) has announced an investment in Calypso Continuing Education (Calypso), an education technology business that has created a platform for continuing education as well as a library of educational content. CIF is a Qualified Opportunity Fund that invests in high-growth technology companies supporting job creation and revenue generation in small towns across America. CIF is leading this funding round in order to provide Calypso with capital to expand its online educational offerings into new verticals. Calypso is headquartered in an Opportunity Zone located in Randolph, Vermont, one of the communities in CORI’s Rural Innovation Network.

Vermont Business Magazine In celebration of Employee Ownership Month, the Employee Owners of Vermont, an active group of local employee-owned companies, successfully carried out its fourth annual fundraiser for the Vermont Foodbank in October. Collectively, the group raised $29,923, providing approximately 50,000 meals for kids, seniors, and families who don’t have enough to eat on a regular basis.

Senator Patrick Leahy, November 16, 2021 Eight times, the voters of Vermont – who are my neighbors, my friends, my family – have had the great faith to send me to the United States Senate to represent them. Yesterday, I told those neighbors and friends, and my family, that I will not run for reelection. I told the Vermonters that have humbled me since my first election to the Senate in 1974 that I will resign this seat at the conclusion of my term. It is a decision I do not come to lightly, but one in which Marcelle and I find great peace.

Vermont Business Magazine VMEC is seeking a new CEO! Patricia Giavara, the Interim Director & CEO, and the VMEC Advisory Board are seeking candidates to lead the organization. And we'd love your help in getting the word out! Please forward this e-blast message to those you believe are candidates for this position, share the link below or visit our LI page to like and share the Director and CEO hiring posts.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office today announced it has concluded its review of the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred on August 25, 2021, in Rutland, Vermont. The Attorney General’s Office has declined to prosecute Rutland City Police Department Corporal Christopher Rose for charges related to the fatal shooting of Jonathan Mansilla. Based on the facts and circumstances and consistent with Vermont law, the Attorney General’s Office has concluded that the actions of Corporal Rose were justified.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard resort in Eastern North America, has received a positive snow control announcement from FIS (International Ski Federation), the governing body of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup. With this announcement, Killington Resort can assure international race teams and ski racing fans traveling to central Vermont for Thanksgiving weekend that both the Giant Slalom and Slalom races will take place as scheduled on November 27 and 28.

Vermont Business Magazine Commissioner of Finance & Management, Adam Greshin, has announced a public forum for comment on FY 2023 State budget development. The governor is required to enable public participation in the development of goals and in the general prioritization of spending and revenue initiatives.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today directed the Agency of Human Services to implement a Universal Booster Program for COVID-19 vaccinations and is strongly encouraging every Vermonter over the age of 18 to get a booster. Anyone who has received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is eligible two months after their first dose. Individuals who received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine are eligible six months after completing their initial vaccination. The state also will remove the longer list of criteria for boosters on the state’s website and will implement a simplified registration process.

Vermont Business Magazine Renowned digital workforce accelerator, Upright Education, has partnered with Norwich University’s College of Graduate and Continuing Studies (CGCS), a national leader in online graduate education, to offer technology bootcamps that fast-track adults into high-growth technology careers. Through this unique partnership, Norwich University Online will offer award-winning accelerated learning programs in software development (coding) as well as user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design (UX/UI) to adults seeking new careers in these fields.