Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The employee owners of PC Construction announced today that Maureen Usifer of Colchester, Vermont, has been elected to the company’s six-member Board of Directors. Usifer is the first woman to join the board, and her election marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Usifer joins a growing number of women in leadership at the South Burlington-based construction company.

Vermont Business Magazine Administration Secretary Susanne Young today announced the retirement of Susan A Zeller (Sue), Chief Performance Officer for the State of Vermont. Zeller began her career with the State of Vermont on July 5, 2005, after over 25 years of experience in positions such as Accounting Manager, Controller and Vice President of Finance for both Fortune 500 companies and private corporations. Her last day will be Friday May 21.

With New Federal Funding, A Solid Plan and A Transformational Vision, We Can and Must Act on Climate

by Joe Flynn, June Tierney and Julie Moore The Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) was a centerpiece of the last legislative session. It was driven by very real concerns around Vermont’s changing climate and the magnitude of what must be done to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and make our landscape more resilient.

In its forthcoming 2020 Annual Progress Report for Vermont, the Energy Action Network (EAN) estimates that to achieve the GWSA’s emissions reduction requirement for 2025, we will need to put more than 46,000 electric vehicles (EVs) on the road and replace nearly 32,000 fossil fuel-based home and building heating systems with heat pumps or advanced wood heat.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermonters may apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit beginning Wednesday, May 12. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides: Up to $50/month discount for broadband service; up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands; and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price.

Vermont Business Magazine The application for Vermont’s CDBG-CV economic relief grants for Sole Proprietors closes on May 26th. All applications must be submitted through the online portal. Recorded webinar training, program information and the application are all available at www.vermont-cdbg-cv.com. Eligible applicants must be either Sole Proprietors with no W2 employees, or S-Corp owners with no W2 employees. Applicants may have received CDBG-CV or other grants but must have remaining unmet need.

Vermont Business Magazine As part of Bennington College's three-year initiative to address food insecurity in Bennington County, the Center for the Advancement of Public Action (CAPA) will host a day-long virtual conference on Saturday, May 15 from 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM. Supported by a grant from the Andrew W Mellon Foundation, this event is free, open to the public, and will take place virtually via Zoom. Register by May 13 to join the event.

Leonine Public Affairs This week the House and Senate appointed conferees for H.439, the FY2022 budget. The conference committee will meet to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of the FY2022 budget over the next few weeks. Traditionally the legislative session ends when the budget conferees agree on the budget and it is approved by both chambers of the legislature. the Senate Finance Committee approved H.436, the Miscellaneous Tax Bill, late on Friday afternoon. They included language repealing a provision of law passed earlier this session that would have subjected forgiven 2021 Paycheck Protection Program loans to Vermont income tax. The tax had been loudly opposed by the Vermont business community.

Mister Chris and Friends Moments and Must See VT Receive Recognition from Peers

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont PBS has been nominated for three New England Emmy nominations this year. The New England Emmys are awarded for excellence in video content. Winners will be announced during a virtual ceremony on June 26.

Vermont Business Magazine As consumers continue to spend more time at home and seek out premium, indulgent comfort foods, Cabot’s releases a new line of 8 oz Triple Cream Yogurt that draws indulgent seeking consumers into the yogurt aisle for a decadent snack with what the company calls “a health halo.” The line includes six flavors; chocolate mousse, salted caramel, cupcake, red velvet, vanilla chai, and orange ginger, each offered in 8 oz resealable containers.

Vermont Business Magazine Waterbury Village has seen its share of challenges—floods and fires, booms and busts. Each time, the community has come back to life more vibrant than before. To mark the tenth anniversary of the day Tropical Storm Irene devastated their town, a group of Waterbury residents hopes to celebrate the community’s resilience with a two-story depiction of a phoenix, the mythical bird that repeatedly rose from its own ashes.

Overall premium reduction is almost -1% due to company’s cost containment initiatives

Vermont Business Magazine For the first time since the inception of the Affordable Care Act, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont can recommend a premium reduction. Compared with last year, the proposal is to lower overall health insurance premiums collected by almost one percent (-0.9%). This is the overall rate change prior to unmerging the individual and small group market.

Vermont Business Magazine The state is expanding its vaccination efforts "to meet Vermonters where they are" in order to get as many shots in arms as possible. This includes walk-in clinics at speedways with no registration necessary to college campuses to pop-up clinics. Governor Scott noted today that Vermont will apply to the CDC to obtain more vaccine from states not taking their full allotment. Arkansas has declined its entire allotment. Vermont will get 19,230 doses next week. The state could get up to 50 percent more. As of now, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is not increasing because the manufacturing facility in Baltimore is not yet back on line. As of this morning, over 65 percent of Vermont adults have received at least one dose. They expect Pfizer to receive CDC approval to administer its vaccine to children 12-15 years old next week. There are about 27,000 Vermonters in that age group. They will need parental approval. The governors said the state is on target to meet its next vaccine goal by June 1. Also, the VDH is reporting today75 new cases of COVID-19 with deaths holding at 249 statewide.