Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today signed new legislation strengthening Vermont’s captive insurance laws, increasing efficiencies while adding flexibility to regulatory policy and procedures. This year’s bill again highlights the continued collaboration between Vermont’s executive and legislative branches to ensure the state’s captive law remains the industry benchmark.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) has released an updated version of the Annual Snapshot with additional indicators and updated data. This release coincides with the release of the 2019 Smarter Balanced assessment scores. The overall assessments by grade showed a mixed result in English, with some up and others down. The math scores, however, indicate a more downward trend.

Vermont Business Magazine BTV Ignite and Burlington Telecom announced that LaunchVT and ReSOURCE will be awarded grant funding to deliver programming to support workforce training and development with a focus on Burlington’s youth and disadvantaged communities.

Vermont Business Magazine Energy New England LLC (ENE), the largest wholesale risk management and energy trading organization serving the needs of municipal utilities in the northeastern US, has acquired Utility Services Inc (USI), a leading international services organization assisting energy companies with electric regulatory, reliability, and security standard obligations. USI will continue to operate from its Waterbury, Vermont, headquarters as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ENE, with USI President Brian Evans-Mongeon reporting directly to ENE President and CEO John G. Tzimorangas. All Vermont staff will be retained.

by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) As this health and economic crisis continues, many small businesses are still struggling. The CARES Act created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide forgivable loans to help small businesses pay workers, rent, mortgage interest, and utilities. Since the funds became available in early April, over 11,000 Vermont businesses have received a total of $1.2 billion. However, the program has fallen short in many ways.

by Devon Green, Vice President of Government Relations, VAHHS On Thursday, the legislature announced its plans for the rest of the year. They will pass a budget for the first quarter of FY21 and “ready-to-pass” bills by June 26th. Lawmakers will then spend the remainder of June passing bills that appropriate Coronavirus Relief Funds, before recessing for July and the first half of August.

by Don Turner How many Vermonters are unemployed? How many have shut the doors to their businesses, and may have to shutter them permanently? How many are struggling just to put food on the table for their family?

Those questions keep me up at night. And I know they keep Governor Scott up as well. That's why the Governor proposed a comprehensive economic recovery package--using federal money that won't raise Vermonters' state taxes--to stimulate the economy, stabilize housing, support small businesses, help farmers, protect struggling Vermonters, and more.

Vermont Business Magazine On Sunday 6/14/2020, at approximately 1231 hours, Vermont Troopers responded to a single vehicle crash on Vermont Route 16 near Horse Pond Road in the town of Wheelock, VT.

Preliminary investigation shows that the operator, Tristan Coderre (20), was travelling north on Vermont Route 16 when he drifted off the roadway, going down an embankment and striking a tree.

The injuries Coderre sustained from the crash were fatal. The crash was believed to have occurred during the early morning hours of 6/14/2020, at approximately 0130 hours.

This incident is currently under investigation and anyone who may have information on the crash is asked to contact Trooper Jason Danielsen at the St. Johnsbury Barracks at 802-748-3111.

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH

CASE#: 20A402898

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Jason Danielsen

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported that there were eight new cases of COVID-19 since Friday for a statewide total 1,127, as new cases have slowed up since the Winooski outbreak from last week led an increase of cases. There have been no new deaths for more than two weeks for a total of 55. The state also has surpassed 50,000 tests.

Vermont Business Magazine It is with heavy hearts that the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce informs the greater Bennington community that the 25th Annual Garlic and Herb Festival traditionally held on Labor Day Weekend will be postponed until Labor Day Weekend of 2021. The Southern Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival, affectionately known as “Garlicfest” by many, has been a staple of Bennington and Southern Vermont for the last 25 years on Labor Day Weekend.

Vermont Business Magazine Maine Course Hospitality Group announced on Saturday the opening of Home2 Suites by Hilton, in downtown Williston. The new Home2 by Hilton offers 100 suites, full amenities and breakfast. It is the first hotel built in Williston in 20 years.

Speaker Mitzi Johnson Yesterday, hundreds of Vermonters gathered in Montpelier in solidarity to paint BLACK LIVES MATTER on State Street in front of the capitol building. I humbly joined the painting crew. Noel Riby-Williams and Conor Casey did amazing work getting this project organized and in place in under a week. Thank you to both of them and all participants for creating such incredible work. Early this morning, it was vandalized.