Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has made a formal request for federal disaster funds to assist communities in Bennington and Windham counties in paying for repairs to public infrastructure damaged in floods of July 29 and 30, 2021. Local and state officials estimate communities in those counties suffered more than $4 million in damages to public infrastructure.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health on Tuesday reported 111 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths, which now stand at 291 statewide. There are 43 people hospitalized (up 5 from yesterday) and 9 in the ICU. Hospitalizations have remained relatively high and have slowly increased the last few days. Vermont has the highest vaccination rate and the lowest hospitalization rate in the United States. Cases among children 5-14 continue to grow, as cases among the general Vermont population have declined.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan announced today that his office has filed a major consumer protection lawsuit against fossil fuel companies for deceptive and unfair practices. The lawsuit alleges past and ongoing violations of Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act for concealing crucial information and disseminating misleading statements and advertising about fossil fuels and climate change. The lawsuit names as defendants Exxon Mobil Corporation, Shell Oil Company, Sunoco LP, CITGO Petroleum Corporation, and related companies.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Regional Development Corporations received a 2021 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations. This national award recognizes the 12 RDCs of Vermont that make up the state’s economic development network, for the innovative Restart Vermont Technical Assistance Program. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, ReVTA provided 512 businesses and non-profits with technical assistance, 401 of which also received grants that enabled them to recover from the pandemic impacts and pivot towards the future.

Project will Deliver High-Speed Internet To Northeast Kingdom Residents and Businesses

Vermont Business Magazine A major step toward bringing fast internet to all addresses connected to the electrical grid in the region was accomplished during the NEK Broadband board meeting on September 9th. The Communications Union District (CUD), made up of 45 member towns, approved a joint partnership with Mission Broadband, the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), and Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom (WCVT).

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Commission on Women, state government’s independent non-partisan commission advancing rights and opportunities for Vermont women and girls, begins work this fall under a new leadership structure, broadening from one to three Chairs. Lisa Senecal was re-elected to the position and is joined by fellow Commissioners Kiah Morris and Kellie B Campbell.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has proclaimed September 12–18 the inaugural Vermont Workplace Safety Week in Vermont, celebrating safe workplaces and promoting participation in workplace safety programs. The Vermont Department of Labor and the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA) will hold in-person and virtual events in commemoration of Vermont Workplace Safety Week.

Green Mountain Care Board Please note that presenters and Board Members will be participating remotely through Microsoft Teams tentatively through October 1, 2021. Members of the public can attend all meetings at the physical location 144 State St, Montpelier, VT 05602, through the Microsoft Teams application, or via the call-in number.

by Jeff Tieman, CEO, VAHHS Good news alert! I feel the need to open with that announcement given the barrage of challenges we face in health care and the unending pandemic twists and turns we continue to manage. Good news in health care can easily be dwarfed by stories of heartache and sorrow, yet if you simply look around, there are hopeful signs all around us.

Last week, a positive and optimistic story emerged regarding our state’s health reform initiative. The headline is that in 2018 and 2019, Vermont made measurable and meaningful progress toward a value-based health care system where the primary focus is on prevention, care management and coordination around each patient.

The report recognizing Vermont’s progress was from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that oversees the implementation of our state’s All Payer Model (APM) reform plan.

Vermont Business Magazine Common Good Vermont is now accepting applications for its Nonprofit Management (NPM) Certificate Program. The NPM Program provides immediately applicable training in the core competencies of nonprofit
management and emerging nonprofit issues. Designed for active practitioners and leaders in Northern New England’s vibrant nonprofit community, whether you are currently in a leadership position or are new to the sector, this program is for you.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) Medical Matters Weekly with Dr. Trey Dobson—a weekly interactive, multiplatform medical-themed talk show—will feature the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center’s Director of Emergency Nursing Jill Maynard, RN, on its September 15 program. The show will air at 12 p.m. She will share news about SVMC’s upcoming Emergency Department renovation and expansion.