Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The following members of the Vermont State Police Fair and Impartial Policing Committee are joining agency and state leadership in condemning the atrocity in Minneapolis. In addition, the committee members, who have worked closely with the Vermont State Police for more than a decade to strengthen relationships between police and numerous communities throughout the state, believe the ongoing partnerships can set an example at home and beyond our borders for necessary structural change.

by Jack Hoffman, Public Assets Institute Health comes first. But the next biggest risk Vermonters face from the coronavirus pandemic is loss of income. As leaders in Montpelier contemplate the best uses for $1.25 billion in federal aid from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, insuring that Vermont families continue to have money for food and shelter has to be at the top of the list.

by The Board Of Directors Of The Northeast Kingdom Collaborative For generations, NVU’s two campuses have been educational, cultural, and economic drivers for our region. As leaders from many different walks of life in the Kingdom, each and every one of us has seen the impact that NVU has had on our communities, our economy and our culture. NVU’s contribution to the Kingdom is invaluable. We know change is here and we embrace it. But for the successful future of the NEK that change has to include the continued existence of NVU. We implore our elected officials – from members of the Legislature to the Governor – to look closely at the immense impact that NVU has on the northern tier of Vermont and fund NVU appropriately.

Vermont Business Magazine Congressman Peter Welch heard from over 80 businesses in the state’s lodging sector during a virtual Vermont Chamber Town Hall about how COVID-19 is affecting Vermont’s lodging properties. The May 26 Town Hall was an opportunity for lodging businesses to further Congressman Welch’s understanding of COVID-19’s impact, share ideas, and help shape what future assistance will look like.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported that there were three more cases of COVID-19 for 971 total and one more death from the novel coronavirus for a statewide total of 55. This is only the second death from the virus in three weeks. There currently is no one hospitalized for COVID-19. VDH says that if Vermonters continue to follow good hygiene practices, wear facial coverings, and keep up physical distancing — and the state continues its strong testing and contact tracing capabilities — the outlook is good to control the spread of the virus.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, May 28th, The Boston Celtics, on behalf of the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, and Vistaprint worked with Healthy Living Market & Cafe of South Burlington, VT, whose co-owner Eli Lesser-Goldsmith is a Celtics season-ticket holder, to provide meals to over 50 daycare workers in Vermont as part of the ‘Food for Heroes’ campaign.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine As Governor Scott continues to open up the economy, the weekly unemployment insurance claims have continued to subside. Initial and ongoing claims have now decreased every week since the peak in early April. The weekly claims report indicates that for the week ending May 23, 2020, the Department processed 1,552 Initial Claims, down 647 from the previous week but 1,122 more than the same time last year. Total new and continuing claims are 51,837, a decrease of 5,465 from the previous week and 48,204 more than the same time last year.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) filed its adopted Vermont Hemp Rules with the Vermont Secretary of State on May 6, 2020. The Vermont Hemp Rules became effective May 21, 15 days after filing the adopted rule. These rules come in advance of the 2020 planting season.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) today notified the Rutland Superior Court that it is withdrawing its motion for preliminary injunction, filed on May 15, 2020, against Rutland gym Club Fitness of Vermont and its owner, Sean Manovill. In addition, the AGO and Defendants, Club Fitness of Vermont and Manovill, jointly requested that the Court convert the hearing on the motion scheduled for May 29, 2020, into a status conference. The State’s underlying Complaint remains.

Vermont Business Magazine Small businessman Scott Milne announced today that he will seek the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in 2020. Milne nearly upset then-Governor Peter Shumlin in 2014 when he came within 2,500 votes of becoming governor.

Milne, 61, is president of Milne Travel, founded as a one-person woman owned business by Marion Milne in the 1970’s. During his thirty-three years leading the company, Milne Travel has grown into one of America’s most recognized travel businesses, with tens of thousands of clients, nearly 100 employees in ten states, and a network of community based offices stretching from Westchester County NY, to Northern Maine, with three offices in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) Commissioner Michael Pieciak today announced the approval of a premium relief plan submitted by Northeast Delta Dental, Vermont’s largest provider of dental benefits. In total, $2.89 million in premium relief will be provided to approximately 70,000 Vermonters after the suspension of most dental services due to COVID-19.

Vermont Business Magazine The Board of the Lake Champlain Chamber announced today the transition of executive leadership to Executive VP Cathy Davis from Tom Torti, effective November 5th, 2020. Torti will step down as President of the Chamber and retain his position as Chief Executive Officer while Davis will become President and assume leadership and direction of all chamber activities. Torti will focus on strengthening the Chamber’s 501(c)(3) foundation, which supports and promotes leadership, talent and economic development in the region.

“This transition has been in the planning process for the past two years,” said Kurt Gruendling, chairperson of the Chamber Board, “with Tom working to ensure that the Chamber was positioned, fiscally and organizationally, for a seamless transition.”