Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Lake Champlain Chamber will host a webinar, “Adapting Vermont Hospitality to COVID-19” on Thursday, May 21st at 9 am to address the unique challenges the hospitality industry has faced and to discuss a path forward as the economy begins to reopen. This webinar is free, but registration will be capped at 90 people. The SBA is also offering the loan forgiveness application for PPP loans. And the State Parks are planning to reopen but under limited circumstances, at least initially.

by Devon Green Vice President of Government Relations, VAHHS The Scott Administration and the Legislature remain busy as Vermont extends its state of emergency to June 15 while slowly reopening. Legislature spending includes spending for the Legislature to stay in session until June 19 and financial assistance for Vermont State College and University of Vermont students.

Vermont Business Magazine Vitor Mori, a postdoctoral student in the University of Vermont’s Vermont Lung Center, has been awarded a Quantitative Biology Fellowship by the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. Mori was awarded the fellowship for research he is doing that allows chemotherapy to be delivered directly to lung tumors, in contrast to the conventional approach that delivers drugs systemically, which affects the whole body.

Vermont Business Magazine Mt Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC) and Ottauquechee Health Center (OHC) are beginning to expand access to a number of medical services as the region cautiously starts to reopen following the initial peak of the COVID-19 crisis. Services with increased access include primary care visits and ophthalmology appointments, as well as a number of time-sensitive surgeries and outpatient therapies.

Vermont Business Magazine After having announced the resumption of elective services last week, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), has earned deficiency-free status, the highest given, on a survey meant to determine ability to prevent transmission of COVID-19 and other infections to those visiting its hospital and clinics.

Vermont Business Magazine The American Lung Association in Vermont announces today that its 6th annual LUNG FORCE Walk Burlington will be a virtual event. The virtual fundraising event kicked off March 18 and runs through June 13, 2020 with weekly interactive challenges; and culminates with a live virtual interactive celebration on Saturday, June 20 at 1 pm EST.

Vermont Business Magazine Another 9,000 PUA claimant payments are being processed today by the Vermont Department of Labor in the amount of $15 million. Call-center volume is decreasing, and call-center staffing is increasing. Friday there were 5,400 call attempts. With an answer rate of 75%. ​

Vermont Business Magazine As Vermont continues to adapt to the economic and public health challenges of COVID-19, the Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) plans to award a total of $180,000 in COVID-19 Response Business Development Grants within the sectors of agriculture and forestry. These funds are designed to complement business’s ability to maintain operations while increasing capacity to rebuild and/or recover during this unprecedented time of need.

Vermont Business Magazine Anyone who lives or works in Vermont and does not have symptoms of COVID-19 can be tested for the virus at pop-up testing sites around the state. Many sites are now full, but you can still register on the wait list to receive information of any future clinics that may be scheduled in your area. The VDH encourages health care workers, first responders, child care providers, and people returning to Vermont – such as college students, people who winter out of state and second home owners – to consider being tested. The sites are led by Health Department teams, with support from EMS units and members of the Vermont National Guard. The test will tell you if you have a current infection. It is not a serology/antibody test, which means it will not tell you if you were infected in the past.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine As Vermont continues to show positive health data related to COVID-19, Governor Phil Scott said at today’s press briefing that he will have more economic assistance announcements this Wednesday and Friday. Scott has been holding press briefings every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for several weeks in an effort to keep the public informed and to stay vigilant in the effort to stay healthy. Several metrics show Vermont now has the lowest infection rate in the nation and by far the most effective mitigation efforts in the Northeast.

Vermont Business Magazine As FEMA, under the direction of the White House Task Force, has led the whole-of-America response to the COVID-19 pandemic for the past two months, billions of essential resources and protective equipment have been delivered throughout the nation. As of May 14, FEMA has obligated more than $9.4 million in federal support to Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Community College of Vermont (CCV) is growing a program to provide just-in-time scholarships for students with emergent financial needs. With generous support from philanthropic partners, CCV is pleased to announce the establishment of its new Endowment for Life Gap Grants, as well as the expansion of its Life Gap Fund, both of which build on an existing program that helps students bridge challenging situations and persist in their studies.

“Now more than ever, CCV students are vulnerable to unexpected financial stress as COVID-19 impacts our lives and communities,” said CCV President Joyce Judy. “In this uncertain time, students who continue with their education will be better prepared for careers here in Vermont. For many students, Life Gap Grants will make the difference between staying in school and dropping out. We are grateful to our philanthropic partners for their support of this critical initiative.”