Current News

Vermont Business Magazine On Monday, the Vermont Community Foundation announced $150,000 in grants to expand Vermonters’ access to mental health and suicide prevention care as part of the newest recovery initiative from its VT COVID-19 Response Fund. Since it was created in March 2020, the VT COVID-19 Response Fund has distributed more than $10 million in grants to assist with basic and urgent needs for Vermont’s most vulnerable, and jumpstarting longer term recovery and resilience through the initial five recovery initiatives announced in September 2020.

House Speaker Jill Krowinski and Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint While we appreciate this step toward giving Vermonters more tools to promote public health, we are deeply disappointed that there is not a broader approach to keeping Vermonters safe and our health care system afloat.

Vermont Business Magazine With speeds 20 times faster than the national average, Fidium Fiber, a new gigabit broadband internet service from Consolidated Communications, is primed to give customers an entirely new internet experience they’ve been missing. Fidium’s symmetrical, gigabit fiber internet service comes without the hassle of data caps, contracts or required bundles, and is now available in Brattleboro, Montpelier, Rutland and numerous other towns, with new locations rolling out weekly across Vermont. Fidium is also available in select towns in Maine and New Hampshire.

Vermont Business Magazine The SBA Vermont District Office is accepting nominations for its 2022 small business awards. Previous Vermont winners include Ben and Jerry’s, Mamava and Lawson's Finest Liquids. These annual awards recognize the achievements of SBA-assisted small businesses and the contributions they have made to their communities and Vermont’s economy.

Vermont Business Magazine Residents from Bennington and North Bennington joined Governor Phil Scott, state legislators and officials, local selectboard members, and members of the public to celebrate the extension of municipal waterlines to 445 residences. The waterline extension project was in response to the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination discovered five years ago in Bennington. The local community worked with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), MSK Engineering, and state legislators to extend municipal waterlines that deliver clean water to residents with wells contaminated by PFAS.

Vermont Business Magazine According to the organizing trade union, the City of South Burlington’s two dozen school bus drivers and monitors this morning overwhelmingly voted to join the South Burlington Educators’ Association. Of the unit’s 24 eligible drivers and monitors, 23 cast votes today – all but one in favor of joining the union. After a 10-day waiting period, the bus drivers will become members of the SBEA.

Vermont Business Magazine Many Vermonters have weighed in on the announcement today by Senator Patrick Leahy that he will not seek reelection in November 2022. His retirement will mark the end of a career that began in 1974, when he became the first Democrat since the Civil War and youngest person ever elected to the US Senate from Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting 222 COVID-19 cases Monday, down from Sunday's 298 cases. 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 Thursday. The 15 worst days have all come since mid-September, following from the Delta variant surge that began in July.

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), State House, Montpelier, November 15, 2021, 10 am I am proud to be Vermont’s longest serving Senator because I know my time in the Senate has made a difference for Vermonters and often well beyond. I know I have been there for my state when I was needed most. I know I have taken our best ideas and helped them grow. I brought Vermont’s voice to the United States Senate and Vermont values across the world. So yes, I am proud to be Vermont’s longest serving Senator. While I will continue to serve Vermont, Marcelle and I have reached the conclusion that it is time to put down this gavel. It is time to pass the torch to the next Vermonter who will carry on this work for our great state. It’s time to come home.

Vermont Business Magazine At a press conference this morning, Senator Patrick Leahy announced that he will be retiring from office at the end of his current term. His retirement will mark the end of a long and distinguished Senate career, which began in 1974, when he became the first Democrat and youngest person ever elected to the U.S. Senate from Vermont. Senator Leahy spoke to his achievements and contributions throughout the years on human rights, agriculture, humanitarian aid, national security, and more, and his commitment to bring Vermont values to issues faced around the world.

​by Chris Graff, Vermont Business Magazine In the 1994 movie Forrest Gump ("Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.") the main character witnesses and at times influences some of the defining events of the 20th century. There's Gump as an all-American football player, serving in Vietnam, meeting President John F Kennedy, causing the resignation of President Richard Nixon and investing in Apple Computer before anyone realized its potential. The story is absolutely implausible. No person could ever be present as so much history unfolds. Patrick J Leahy has.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets As the seasons begin to change once again and we begin to approach the holidays, Secretary Anson Tebbetts took some time to consider this month of transition and the many reasons to pause, reflect, and give thanks for our Veteran's and Agricultural community.