Current News

by Lauren Milideo, University of Vermont In his new book “Eat, Poop, Die,” UVM wildlife expert Joe Roman explores the fascinating lives of whales, seabirds, insects and other animals as they traverse their homes, from a few thousand kilometers of ocean to a few inches of soil. Roman’s book reveals that, in carrying out their most basic life functions, animals play a crucial role in moving nutrients around the planet—and they’re sustaining life as we know it along the way. Roman, a Fellow and Writer-In-Residence at the Gund Institute, will host a public book launch on November 29. He explains how standing aboard a boat deck and watching a whale poop inspired a new argument for protecting Earth’s species. 

by Maia Segura, Vermont Business Magazine Jonathan Cooper, Community & Economic Development Program Manager for Bennington County Regional Commission will tell you, “Economic development requires optimism by nature.” The recently revitalized Putnam Block, pulsing at the heart of downtown, represents just one reason for Cooper to be optimistic about post-pandemic Bennington. Built as Hotel Putnam in 1870, the property anchored the downtown business district for a century before falling on hard times. By the late 1970’s, upper floors were abandoned and struggling businesses revolved below. By the time Cooper moved to Bennington in 2016, he said, “The quietness of the Putnam Block was deafening.”

Vermont Business Magazine According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, one out of every five students (ages 12-18) in the United States has been bullied — and it doesn’t stop there. Students who experience bullying are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school, according to the Centers for Disease and Prevention. Fortunately, the National Bullying Prevention Center says more than half of bullying situations (57%) stop when a peer intervenes on behalf of the student being bullied. These alarming statistics are just a glimpse into why the North Country Chevy Dealers, a group of 15 Chevrolet dealerships in Northern New York, Vermont, and Northern New Hampshire, have partnered with Sweethearts & Heroes, a bullying and suicide prevention program, since 2018.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), and Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) today issued the following statement: “The U.S. Postal Service’s failure to secure safe and stable postal service facilities in Vermont’s capital city following the catastrophic flooding that displaced their offices on State Street, along with an unwillingness to communicate with the local Montpelier community or their own employees, is a complete and total abdication of their responsibilities and emblematic of the nationwide crisis and total failure of leadership of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy."

US Small Business Administration, Vermont Small Business Saturday 2023 will be held on November 25th, marking the 14th annual celebration of the day. This day was created to help independent businesses capture a larger piece of the critical holiday season consumer spending, while also helping address small business owners’ most pressing need: getting more customers through their doors. Small businesses are the engine of our national economy. Today, there are over 33 million small businesses and startups in the United States. Small businesses create two-thirds of net new jobs, making them crucial pillars of communities across the country. And remember, Small Business Saturday 2023 will be held on November 25.

Vermont Business Magazine This week, Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) joined Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-M.D.), and others in urging President Biden to work with Israel and international partners to implement a plan that will protect innocent civilian life in Gaza, deliver sustained humanitarian aid, and work toward the long term goals of ending Hamas’s threat, bringing hostages home, and achieving sustainable peace in the region through a two-state solution. In the letter to President Biden, the Senators call for the protection of civilians and civilian sites, the opening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing, and access to prompt medical attention for civilians injured to help address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.  

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations increased last week, after they had remained steady since late summer. No fatalities were reported by the Vermont Department of Health last week, for a pandemic total of 1,055, as of November 11 (the most recent data available). Fatalities have been edging up during the fall. The Vermont Department of Health reported November 15, 2023, that COVID-19 hospitalizations nearly doubled last week to a statewide total of 43, up from 22 last week. COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH. Reported cases last week were 233, up from 206. Cases were over 300 in late September. 

by Mike Del Trecco, VAHHS CEO As Vermont hospitals and staff continue to work and serve their patients and communities, it can be difficult to comprehend the violence taking place in our communities, I am saddened by the recent news in a New Hampshire hospital that hit so close to home—confirming fears expressed by our Vermont health care workers about the threat of violence in our hospitals. All this occurs amid war overseas and growing resentment between ethic groups both here and abroad. It's hard to imagine sitting down to a happy Thanksgiving feast. But this is an opportunity to take a breather, spend time with family, be thankful for all that we have and regroup to work to build a better future as communities and a state.

by John McClaughry Last week the Vermont Departments of Health and Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) released a comprehensive document, produced by a wide range of state officials, nonprofit organization employees, and volunteers. It’s titled Age Strong VT: Our Road Map for an Age Friendly State. The report proposes to “support and strengthen Vermont’s network of viable senior centers, adult day centers and other local community institutions such as libraries and churches with quality and equitable programming for older Vermonters.” The bureaucratic mentality sees it as their duty to supervise and if need be exercise control over private institutions, lest some of those centers, libraries and churches flunk the state’s quality and equity tests.

Vermont Business Magazine The NEK Council on Aging held its 2023 Annual Meeting on November 16th at the St. Johnsbury Meal Site and Meals on Wheels (St. Johnsbury House). The meeting was open to the public and attended by an estimated 55 people including Vermont Lt. Governor David Zuckerman and Beth Stern representing the office of Senator Bernie Sanders and representative Chip Troiano. 

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is urging customers to stay safe and be alert to changing weather conditions during this holiday week. Forecasters are currently calling for a wintry mix of wet snow, ice, and sleet to hit Vermont Tuesday night into Wednesday. GMP is encouraging customers to think ahead, and prepare now for winter storm season, just as the utility is looking ahead and preparing through storm hardening and undergrounding lines and expanding access to home energy solutions. Last winter saw a record number of damaging storms requiring multi-day repairs, as climate change continues to intensify the severity and frequency of bad weather.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today signed an addendum to his Emergency Declaration (Executive Order 03-23) temporarily suspending all State and local regulations that would prohibit or substantially delay temporary emergency housing for Vermont flood victims. FEMA is still required to follow federal regulations and environmental reviews, but this executive action removes duplicative state and local reviews. “As FEMA works to provide direct housing assistance for flood victims in group housing sites, it is essential they are not delayed by state and local regulations,” said Governor Scott. “This action will allow the project to move forward quickly to establish the temporary mobile housing site in Montpelier that FEMA has been closely coordinating with the state and city of Montpelier.”