Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, reminded Vermonters on Monday that some US states are hitting single-day records of COVID-19, with the result that their hospital resources are being stretched, and re-opening plans have come to a halt. It appears people in the states seeing an increase in cases have not followed health guidance strictly, particularly social distancing and wearing masks, said Dr Levine, calling it a lesson for Vermonters to keep up our prevention efforts. In Vermont, the VDH is reporting six new cases for a statewide total of 1,208. none of the new cases are related to the outbreaks in Winooski or Rutland or Windham counties. There are no new deaths.

Vermont Business Magazine As Vermonters spend more time in the water this Fourth of July weekend and throughout the summer, health officials want you to know what cyanobacteria blooms look like so you can avoid them. With the recent heat wave, many Vermont waters are warmer than usual for this time of year. Warm waters create ideal conditions for cyanobacteria (sometimes referred to as blue-green algae) to grow.

Vermont Business Magazine On Monday, the Vermont Community Foundation announced $380,500 in grants in the fourth round of grantmaking from the VT COVID-19 Response Fund. As Governor Phil Scott continues to “turn the spigot” to re-open the state’s economy, Foundation staff focused this round on expanding access to housing, medical care, support services, and other essential items people need to stay safe as social distancing relaxes. Grants went towards providing care for vulnerable populations like the uninsured, New Americans, and people transitioning out of corrections, supporting many of the state’s LGBTQIA-support organizations and substance use disorder recovery centers, as well as helping childcare centers and farmers markets adapt to health standards.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) customers can now sign up for Save and Share, a pilot program that empowers customers to reduce energy use, saving them and all GMP customers money while also raising money for the Vermont Foodbank during this unprecedented time of increased need. Customers who enroll will get notifications about predicted energy peaks so they can reduce their own energy use during times when power is most expensive, and often dirtiest. This program will further add to savings generated for customers through the network of stored energy GMP already uses to manage energy peaks.

by Devon Green, VAHHS Vice President of Government Relations Everything about the legislature has changed, but one thing remains the same—just when it seemed impossible for all the necessary bills to pass before “leaving town,” it all came together, including a $275 million package for Vermont’s health care providers and an extension on COVID-19 regulatory flexibilities. The legislature has adjourned for now, but they will be back in August to pass the remaining three quarters of the FY 2021 budget and examine and adjust the disbursement of Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF).

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health on Sunday reported that the state has reached 1,202 cases of COVID-19. However, there are only 11 new cases since Thursday and no deaths, which remain at 56. Health Commissioner Dr Levine is encouraging Vermonters to “manage your exposure budget,” meaning using common sense to decide how much risk you’re taking on in your daily activities.

Leonine Public Affairs The Vermont Legislature spent long hours every day last week working to finalize tax and spending bills for the first quarter of FY21 and allocate hundreds of millions of dollars received from the federal government and placed in the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). The Senate authorized almost $100 million in “Phase II” CRF spending for Vermont businesses and nonprofit organizations. This follows $70 million authorized in “Phase I” a few weeks ago. The Senate also authorized over $60 million in relief funding for housing which follows $23 million in housing grants in Phase I.

Agency of Commerce & Community Development On Monday, June 29, 2020 at 9 am, the Addison County Economic Development Corporation and the Addison County Chamber of Commerce will host a free webinar with local and state experts to explain the status and breadth of recovery funding programs and other resources for Vermont businesses. Also, see full new guidance on re-opening of the economy.

Vermont Business Magazine As required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), nearly 1,000 television stations nationwide have or will be transitioning to new frequencies in phases through July 2020. The current and final transition phase includes four local TV stations in the Burlington-Plattsburgh area. Viewers in the Burlington-Plattsburgh area who watch over-the-air television with an antenna will need to re-scan their TV to continue receiving these local channels. These include ABC 22, Fox 44, and two of the Vermont PBS stations.

The reason why television stations are changing frequencies is to make room for new 5G and other mobile broadband services. Nationwide, millions of US households watch national network and local TV programming using an over-the-air antenna. Cable and satellite subscribers aren’t affected by these changes.

by Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos The COVID-19 health crisis has challenged so many aspects of our society, from our Main Street businesses to our health care facilities. Our elections are not immune. As we approach both the August 11th primary and November 3rd General Election, there are two goals driving our decision-making: Protecting Vermonters right to cast a ballot, and; Protecting the health and safety of voters, town clerks and poll-workers.

Prestigious Awards Include First-Ever Prize for Poetry and Are Collaboration Between GMP and Vermont Magazine to Honor Writing About Vermont

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) and Vermont Magazine announced Erica Walch of Newfane and Mark Creaven of West Glover are the 2020 winners of the Vermont Writers’ Prize – Walch for her short story, “The Key Word,” and Creaven for his poem, “Time in Vermont.” Both works appear in the Summer issue of Vermont Magazine, and this is the first year a specific poetry honor has been awarded.

Also Commits to $500 Million in Incremental Financing in Minority Communities

Vermont Business Magazine Citizens Financial Group, Inc, [NYSE: CFG], with bank branches in Vermont, has announced a $10 million commitment to promote social equity and drive economic advancement in underserved communities. This new investment will harness the bank’s resources, expertise and the unique strengths of its culture to help drive real and lasting progress across the communities it serves. It will build upon Citizens’ already strong efforts in these areas, as evidenced by the company’s “Outstanding” Community Reinvestment Act rating.