Current News

by C.B. Hall, Vermont Business Magazine Shoreham-based WhistlePig, a distiller and distributor of premium rye whiskeys, has seen the buffets of fortune but continues to grow at what chief marketing officer Jason Newell termed "a sustainable pace," although that growth may be tested as the COVID-19 epidemic continues to strain the hospitality sector that has been a key partner in the company's success. That success has been highlighted, for example, by WhiskeyPig's receipt of best-in-show honors at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition of 2017.

by Bruce Edwards, Vermont Business Magazine Middlebury College is implementing the following three-phase approach to the fall semester Before coming to campus, all students must sign the Middlebury Health Pledge that is specific to students, and faculty and staff must sign one designed for employees to affirm they are willing to comply with the state’s COVID-19 restrictions and Middlebury’s health and safety policies. There will be three phases of the fall semester.

by Bruce Edwards, Vermont Business Magazine Middlebury has dedicated four-and-a-half years planning for every contingency related to an $80 million bridge and rail project smack in the middle of the downtown. Every contingency, that is, except one - a pandemic.

​Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Republican Party Chair Deb Billado issued the following statement after learning of the passing of long time Republican leader and legislator George Shiavone. While Primary Day can be a buzz of excitement this year Republicans were sobered by the loss of one of their most beloved Republicans, Representative George Schiavone.

by Don George, CEO and President of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont All of us Vermonters are worried right now. There is a lot going on. Parents and teachers are struggling with the bleak reality of school during a pandemic. Our downtown businesses are battling to survive with fewer people walking through the door. We miss being surrounded by our friends and family. And health care costs continue to rise at an alarming pace. At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, we have always worked diligently to keep our premiums as lean as possible. This year is no different. Unlike many insurers, BCBSVT is a non-profit company and therefore our rates reflect the actual cost of care, and do not have profit margins built in. Unlike many other states, Vermont has stringent health insurance oversight and regulations.

by Joyce Marcel, Vermont Business Magazine A little over a year ago, Xusana Davis was hired by the State of Vermont to do something that more than a few people have called “humanly impossible.” Davis, 31, is the state's first executive director of racial equity. In a state that is approximately 94 percent white, her job is not to undo 400 years of racism; it is not even to bring more diversity to state government. Instead, it is to bring our state government closer to equity — so all Vermonters have equal access to state services. And that alone is a daunting task.

​Vermont State Police On Friday afternoon, Troopers were asked to respond to the Spruce Mountain trailhead in the town of Plainfield to provide assistance to first responders who were already on scene with a female who had fallen from the fire tower on top of the mountain earlier in the day. At approximately 11:43, Waterbury Backcountry, Barre Town Fire Department, Plainfield Fire and Rescue, and East Montpelier Fire Department responded to the fire tower to assist Kelly Houston who had fallen two flights of stairs down the tower while trying to capture a video of the view.

Vermont Business Magazine It's the most wonderful time of the year: mid-August, when retailers nationwide get decked out for the holidays. Among the festive offerings this year are two new snackable, seasonal limited batches by Ben & Jerry's: Gingerbread Cookie Dough Chunks and Cinnamon Bun Dough Chunks. Grab a frozen handful and experience the baking happiness of your winter memories, without having to turn on the oven.

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, September 5th Bennington, Vermont will become “Garlic Town, USA” for one day in celebration of all things garlic and agriculture! Bennington has become world-renowned for its annual Garlic and Herb Festival held every year on Labor Day weekend. Last year, the festival saw crowds of over 16,000 patrons and 200 garlic-themed vendors. The Garlic and Herb Festival has been recognized as one of the top 10 garlic festivals in the world, featured in Yankee Magazine and recently was awarded Vermont’s Time-Honored Top 10 Fall Event. Due to the COVID pandemic and Vermont restrictions on festivals, the 25th annual “Garlicfest,” as the event has been affectionately known as, was canceled in early summer.

Vermont Business Magazine The Isham Family Farm is a 5th generation farm owned by Michael Isham and Helen Weston who are a combined 19 generational Vermonters. Mike converted the Williston farm from a dairy operation to now include PYO berries, pumpkins, corn maze, Christmas trees and in 2010 restored a late 1700’s barn into an event space. In 2020 Mike and Helen made the decision to put the farm back into the Farmers Market by hosting a Farmers Market behind their renovated late 1700’s antique barn.

Vermont Business Magazine The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) announces its decision regarding Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont’s (BCBSVT) and MVP Health Care’s (MVP) requested rate increases for insurance plans offered through Vermont Health Connect (VHC) in 2021. After a complete review, the Board decided to reduce BCBSVT’s rate request to 4.2% and MVP’s rate request to 2.7%, resulting in a total premium reduction of approximately $18.9 million. The Board denied administrative increases for both companies, while allowing small increases (0.5%) to reserves due to the current uncertainty and increases tied to medical and drug spending.

Vermont Business Magazine Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, on Friday spoke about the return of students to college campuses. He noted that a few students have already tested positive. And at least one positive result (a UVM student) came back before the student even left their home state. Levine said that one positive result will not count as a Vermont case, but any out-of-state student who tests positive while in Vermont will count as a positive case in Vermont. As for the relatively high case count reported today (17), Levine said in looking at the data he could not see a relationship between college students beginning to return to Vermont and today's number. Vermont's daily count is around six cases. Vermont has the lowest case count and the fewest cases per capita in the nation.