Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Thursday, January 11 at 11 am the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), along with the Tax Department, and the Department for Children and Families will hold a virtual presentation to highlight the Scott Administration’s housing reform priorities to revitalize communities and increase housing stock. There will also be an update on current collaborative efforts with the legislature to enact these reforms and proposals.

Vermont Business Magazine The Community College of Vermont (CCV) is pleased to announce that its St. Johnsbury campus is moving to the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium. The move comes as part of the museum’s much-anticipated expansion, begun in 2022, which features the creation of its new Tang Science Annex. As Vermont’s second-largest college, CCV serves more than 10,000 students each year at its 12 statewide academic centers and online. The St. Johnsbury campus has been located on Main Street since 1995. Select courses, as well as advising, financial aid counseling, and other services will be available in person at the new location beginning in late January.

Vermont Department of Public Safety On January 10, 2024, at approximately 9:34 AM the Orleans Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at a multi-family apartment building located at 46 High Street in Barton, VT. When fire crews arrived, they discovered heavy smoke emitting from a first-floor window. Defensive firefighting actions were taken, the fire was extinguished and contained to a single room in a downstairs apartment. The cause of the fire is under investigation and is believed to be accidental. The circumstances surrounding the fire do not appear to be the result of a criminal act. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) announced today that 12 partner organizations were approved for grant funding from the inaugural Grants for Relocation Outreach Work (GROW) program. The grants support local, regional, county-wide, or state-wide organizations conducting new resident relocation, recruitment, and retention activities. There are two types of GROW grants, the Regional Relocation Network Track and the Outreach Track. Some awardees are receiving grants from both tracks. 

Vermont Business Magazine Starting tomorrow, the University of Vermont Medical Center will resume mandated masking for staff members providing direct patient care. Effective Thursday, January 11, employees are required to wear a mask in the following circumstances: When in a patient room, exam room, or when providing direct patient care; In non-patient-care interactions, upon a patient’s request.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV), the non-partisan political action arm of Vermont's environmental community, announced the release of the 2024 Environmental Common Agenda. This document serves as a comprehensive guide outlining this year’s top legislative priorities to address the urgent environmental challenges facing Vermont. This year, 19 organizations signed onto the Agenda. You can watch today's full press conference announcing the release of this year’s Common Agenda.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, US Senators Peter Welch (D-Vermont) was among those who led their colleagues in the bicameral, bipartisan introduction of the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act. This legislation would provide $7 billion for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides affordable high-speed internet options to qualifying households across the US. The program, which is administered by the FCC is projected to be exhausted by April 2024 without additional funding. Since its implementation, over 22.5 million households have utilized the program’s monthly discount of up to $30 for internet service, and up to $75 monthly for those living on Tribal lands. This program has been utilized by over 800,000 veterans, one million college students, 3.1 million families with a K-12 student receiving free or reduced-price lunch, and 5 million seniors across the United States. 

Vermont Business Magazine Funding is now available from the Vermont Women’s Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation for nonprofits that support economic security and provide career opportunities and programs that drive change for Vermont women and girls. The competitive grant program will award grants of up to $15,000 for proposals, including, those that: Make pathways to economic well-being more visible, accessible, and affordable for all women and girls In 2023, the Vermont Women’s Fund distributed $412,135 to 36 Vermont organizations. Those grantees reflect the fund’s mission to advance gender equity and justice. To view the list of 2023 grant recipients

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Economic Development announced today that 2023 reflected a strong year for captive insurance in the State of Vermont and that the New Year already is off to an even stronger start. Besides earning global recognition as the leading domicile for captive insurance, Vermont licensed a total of 38 new captive insurance companies in 2023, making it now home to 659 licensed captives, consisting of 632 active and 27 dormant captives. And, in 2024, it already has licensed 9 new captives. Vermont has licensed a total of 1,330 captive insurance companies to date. The growth in captive formations in 2023 is among the top ten highest since Vermont licensed its first captive in 1981.

Norwich University Board of Trustees Statement: On November 29, 2023, the Norwich University Board of Trustees was informed of some actions by Dr. Anarumo that may have violated University policies. Board leadership immediately initiated an independent outside investigation. When preliminary findings from the investigation were available and it was clear he violated Norwich’s core guiding values and University policy, Dr. Anarumo was placed on paid leave. Before the investigation report was finalized, Dr. Anarumo tendered his resignation, effective January 4, 2024, which was accepted by the Board of Trustees on January 9, 2024. 

Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is working to transform health care in our state by taking manageable steps toward health care reform on behalf of members through a new community provider value-based program: Enhanced Community Primary Care (ECPC) payments. The ECPC program joins Blue Cross VT’s growing portfolio of value-based payment initiatives including the Vermont Blue Integrated Care (VBIC) pilot, which is now entering its second year. These efforts replace previous participation in the Accountable Care Organization’s (ACO) primary care support program.

Vermont Business Magazine Last month the Commissioner of Financial Regulation ordered Colomont, Inc and its former CEO, Christopher Santee, to pay at least $419,000 in restitution to at least 375 individuals to whom Colomont and Mr. Santee sold corporate shares that were not registered with the Department of Financial Regulation (Department). Under the order, Colomont and Mr. Santee are required to repay Colomont investors the amount that each investor originally paid for their shares by no later than February 12, 2024. Colomont and Mr. Santee are also required to pay the Department an administrative penalty of $37,500. Colomont grows and sells cannabis and CBD products. Mr. Santee stepped down as CEO effective October 1, 2023, following a liver cancer diagnosis. Colomont is no longer selling shares in the firm.