Current News

Vermont Business Magazine VSECU and the Vermont Foodbank celebrated 20 years of the Point to Point, powered by VSECU, a cycling and running event to raise funds and awareness to fight hunger in Vermont. Through this iconic summer event, thousands of caring participants have raised over $2,000,000 and helped to provide more than 3.3 million meals to Vermonters in need.

At the celebration on the State House Lawn, VSECU and the Vermont Foodbank announced that over $102,000 has been added to that total so far this year. Fundraising continues for the next two weeks. Donations can be made online at thepointtopoint.org.

Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) Medical Matters Weekly with Dr. Trey Dobson—a weekly interactive, multiplatform medical-themed talk show—will feature Art Groux, the executive director of the Bennington Rescue Squad on its August 11 program. The show will air at 12 p.m. Groux will discuss local and national trends within Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

The show is produced with cooperation from Catamount Access Television (CAT-TV). Viewers can see Medical Matters Weekly on Facebook at facebook.com/svmedicalcenter and facebook.com/CATTVBennington. The show is also available to view or download a podcast on www.svhealthcare.org/medicalmatters.

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington City Council will be considering a resolution to restore 8 sworn officer positions at the Burlington Police Department, bringing the office cap from 74 to 82 as recommended unanimously by the Burlington Police Commission last Monday. Mayor Weinberger released the following statement prior the start of the Council’s deliberation:

“In just over a year we have lost nearly 20 of our police officers, and today, we face the very real possibility of losing an equal amount or more in the weeks and months to come, according to a recent survey completed by the BPOA which revealed that more than 50% of our remaining officers are actively seeking new employment. If that happens, we will cease to have a functional police department in the City of Burlington.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced that cities, towns and villages expecting to receive American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Local Fiscal Recovery (ARPA-LRF) funds should receive their payments in the next few days. The State disbursed the first payment of $29 million in ARPA-LRF to 274 eligible local governments today, August 9.

As the result of grants of State fiscal recovery ARPA funds to the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) and Vermont’s 11 regional planning commissions, the Administration has benefited from coordinated outreach to eligible communities over the course of the last several months. Every municipality responded through the certification process within a very short timeline to ensure a speedy disbursement of the funds.

Vermont Business Magazine People’s United Bank awards $2,500 Early Promise Scholarship to Boys & Girls Club of Burlington member, Najma Malawia. Malawia is enrolled in the fall 2021 semester at Champlain College as an Education Major.

People’s United Bank has been a major supporter of the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington for more than 15 years, helping to ensure that quality education is possible to those who seek it. “We are thrilled to provide a scholarship once again to a very deserving Boys & Girls Club member. We know that Najma will do well at Champlain College. People’s United Bank has been a longtime supporter of the Club and their hard work in supporting kids as they pursue their future.” Kathy Schirling, SVP, Director of Marketing and Community Services, People’s United Bank.

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Dennis Duffy II, 38, of Winooski, pleaded not guilty today in United States District Court in Burlington to two sets of fraud charges. U.S. District Judge William Sessions III released Duffy on conditions pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

Vermont Business Magazine His remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below: "Mr. President, as a former mayor, I understand how important physical infrastructure--roads, bridges, water systems, wastewater plants--are, and I am delighted that we are finally beginning to address our long-neglected physical infrastructure. That is enormously important.

"But I will tell you what is even more important, and that is to address the long neglected needs of the working families of this country - whether they are Black, White, Latino, Native American, or Asian American--needs that have been ignored for far too long.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I), Representative Peter Welch (D), Governor Phil Scott (R) announced Monday that 14 Vermont organizations will receive more than $4.5 million in federal grants to promote economic development across the Green Mountain State. Funds will help local communities address critical water infrastructure needs, open new childcare programs, develop outdoor recreation infrastructure and expand the state’s food hubs which support the distribution of local agricultural products.

Vermont Business Magazine Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Monday issued the following statement after he joined with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to introduce the FY 2022 budget resolution, which includes reconciliation instructions for Congress to craft sweeping legislation to invest in the long-neglected needs of the working class:

“The $3.5 trillion Budget Resolution that I am introducing today will allow the Senate to move forward on a reconciliation bill that will be the most consequential piece of legislation for working people, the elderly, the children, the sick and the poor since FDR and the New Deal of the 1930s.

“It will also put the U.S. in a global leadership position to combat climate change and make our planet healthy and habitable for future generations.

Vermont Business Magazine The Working Lands Enterprise Board is pleased to announce the availability of funds for service provider organizations through the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Program. Projects eligible for funding include the provision of direct technical assistance and/or indirect services to support the development of Vermont-based working lands businesses.

Service providers, and sub-state regional programs are welcome to apply. Awards will range from $10,000 to $20,000. The application window for this funding opportunity opens August 13th at 12 noon.

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Saturday announced that a number of investments in Vermont projects that he requested were approved by Senate Appropriations subcommittees this week, paving the way for initiatives in the state to receive nearly $9.5 million in federal funding. Additional appropriations requests made by Sen. Sanders continue to make their way through the committee approval process and can be reviewed here.