Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross continues to work to restock critically needed blood products uncollected due to the ongoing impact of Hurricane Helene’s devastation in the Southeast. Donors outside of affected areas are encouraged to make an appointment to give now and help keep the blood supply stable in the weeks to come. Since making landfall, the storm and its aftermath have led to the cancellation of more than 100 blood drives, causing thousands of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. For so many people living with urgent medical care needs, blood transfusions are essential, and donations in the Southeast are key to keeping our nationwide network stocked. The Red Cross operates through a national inventory with the ability to move blood wherever and whenever it is needed most. Multiple donation sites are available in Vermont. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine For the week ending September 28, 2024, the Vermont Department of Health reported that the number of COVID-19 cases in Vermont fell and are now under 300 cases. Hospitalizations also saw a drop in cases last week. Hospitalizations and general "syndromic" cases decreased to about 20 cases. The VDH reported 7 COVID-related fatalities last week. Overall, COVID results have been relatively high since the late summer. At the beginning of the summer there were only about 5 hospitalizations a week, but have been running, for the most part, at 20 or more for more than a month. The number of COVID cases, which had fallen for the first time since the end of June, fell last week to 257 cases. Cases had been falling in April and May and were as low as 31 at the beginning of May. The pandemic death total stands at 1,206 as of September 28, 2024, with 17 reported so far in September.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Biden-Harris Administration issued a final rule requiring drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) also require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold for communities to take action on lead in drinking water to protect people from lead exposure. In addition, the final rule improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes, and plans for replacing them. This final rule is part of the President’s commitment to replace every lead pipe in the country within a decade, making sure that all communities can turn on the tap and drink clean water.

Vermont Business Magazine RSF Social Finance added three new loans to its portfolio in summer 2024, investing a total of $13.5 million in social enterprises that are integrating social and environmental innovation to maximize their impact and demonstrate the potential for systemic change. Glavel manufactures foam glass gravel, a recycled-glass insulation product that can be used to construct everything from buildings and bridges to highways and parking lots. In contrast to many construction materials, Glavel’s product is made entirely of recycled materials. The Burlington, Vermont-based business also partners with workforce development nonprofits to offer job training and employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. It also runs a manufacturing plant in Essex.

Vermont Business Magazine In a move to grow the cybersecurity workforce, Champlain College and NuHarbor Security have launched Vermont Cyber Start, a statewide dual-enrollment program, giving Vermont high school students a head start in the industry. According to the White House, roughly 500,000 cybersecurity jobs are unfilled, prompting a federal hiring sprint. The Vermont Cyber Start program offers up to 12 college credits, hands-on experience, and a clear pathway to higher education while preparing students with foundational skills in cybersecurity. The program encourages students to continue their education in college, equipping them for future entry-level positions in one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries. By equipping Vermont’s young talent with the skills needed to succeed, the program aims to help close the cybersecurity talent gap. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont (UVM) has secured $10.1 million in renewed funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue its involvement in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. Launched in 2001, REGARDS is a national study that investigates the risk factors contributing to stroke and cognitive disorders, focusing on disparities based on race and geography. Over the past 23 years, REGARDS has tracked over 30,000 Black and White adults across the U.S., revealing key disparities in stroke and cognitive health. One major finding showed that Black Americans under age 75 are more than twice as likely to experience stroke and die from stroke compared to their White counterparts. 

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, recently honored a nurse manager for his outstanding leadership at SVMC’s ExpressCare clinic. Bentley Munsell, BSN, RN, CEN, the Clinical Nurse Manager of SVMC’s ExpressCare, was awarded the first DAISY Nurse Leader Award at SVMC. The DAISY Award is an international recognition program honoring clinical excellence and outstanding compassionate care provided by nurses. The Nurse Leader Award, specifically, celebrates nurses who lead with compassion, mentor their teams, and foster an environment of compassionate care. Munsell was nominated by his team at ExpressCare, who wrote that they unanimously agreed he was deserving of special recognition.

Vermont Business Magazine A team of scientists supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s The BRAIN Initiative®, including Davi Bock, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neurological Sciences at UVM’s Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, recently made a substantial advancement in neurobiological research by successfully mapping the entire brain of Drosophila melanogaster, more commonly known as the fruit fly. The study, titled “Whole-brain annotation and multi-connectome cell typing of Drosophila,” recently published in Nature, established a “consensus cell type atlas,” or a comprehensive guide, for understanding the different types of cells in the fruit fly brain. The fruit fly’s brain contains around 130,000 neurons (a human’s brain contains 86 billion; mice, which often stand-in for humans in scientific research and testing, have 100 million neurons). 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Independent Media/The Commons celebrated its 20th Anniversary on Sunday, October 6 at the Retreat Farm North Barn. Highlights of the celebration included the presentation of two community awards – The Community Partner Award which was presented to Brattleboro Savings & Loan to honor and recognize their commitment and vital role in successful collaboration that brings a community closer together. Also honored was Diana Bingham, a community member whose generosity in supporting nonprofits and special projects has made a lasting difference in Windham County. Her commitment to Vermont Independent Media, frankly saved The Commons from having to “stop the presses,” says Barrett. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, more Vermont families are set to become eligible to access reduced child care costs through Act 76, the state’s new child care law. Through Act 76, income eligibility for the state’s child care tuition assistance program (the Child Care Financial Assistant Program) will increase to include thousands more Vermont children and their families. This infusion of state support is already having a positive impact on the economy by empowering child care programs to increase capacity and raise compensation for early childhood educators across the state. In the first two quarters of 2024, more child care programs opened than closed for the first time since 2018. Additionally, since Act 76 began rolling out last year, over 1,000 new child care spaces have been created.

Vermont Business Magazine Earlier today, the Goddard College Board of Trustees announced the signing of a purchase and sales agreement with Execusuite LLC, a local property redevelopment firm, for the sale of the Goddard College campus. This agreement enables Goddard College to meet its financial obligations, ensuring timely payment to faculty and staff, settling debts with creditors, and providing a smooth transition for students. The Board of Trustees said in a statement it will partner with a local investor experienced in revitalizing Vermont properties and committed to supporting the continued success of the Plainfield community.

Vermont Business Magazine The Postal Service announced today the opening of our new retail Post Office location at 89 Main St. in Montpelier, VT. In addition to local Post Office Box service, this office will provide mail and package shipping, sales of postage and a variety of packing & shipping supplies. With a successful soft opening on Monday, October 7, the office is planning a Grand Reopening Celebration on Saturday, October 12, beginning at 9 a.m. The hours of operation for our 89 Main St. location will be 8-5:30 Monday through Friday and 9-12:30 on Saturdays. The office will be closed on Sundays.