Current News

by John McClaughry On August 12 Vermont Digger’s health care reporter Kristin Fountain headlined her story “Nearly all of Vermont’s hospitals are seeking double digit percentage increases in income from patient services for 2024 over 2022, setting the stage for a likely battle with health care regulators.” At about the same time the Green Mountain Care Board, the state’s regulatory agency, issued a decision reducing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont’s individual premium rate increase request from 18.0% to 14.0% and its small group plan request from 17.5% to 13.3%.

Vermont Business Magazine On Friday, September 15, HomeShare Vermont’s Executive Director Kirby Dunn is stepping down from the position she’s held for the past 23 years. Dunn has overseen many changes at the non-profit since joining in 2000, as the program has grown from serving one county to seven and emerging as a leader among other states, a model studied because of its organization and successes. HomeShare Vermont connects people to share homes for mutual benefit (rent, chores or a combination of the two) and its careful vetting process works to create strong matches that meet homeowners’ and guests’ needs. 

Vermont Business Magazine Thanks to the communities’ support, St Johnsbury’s NFP has officially awarded a $10,000 donation to Alzheimer's Association, Vermont Chapter, a local organization dedicated to eliminating Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. The $10,000 award will allow the Vermont Chapter to recruit new volunteers and expand outreach efforts with their support programs to better help individuals and their care partners navigate this disease. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont residents and businesses approved for a disaster loan from the US Small Business Administration due to severe storms and flooding from July 7 through July 17, 2023, have two years from the date of their loan approval to request an increase to prevent or minimize damages from similar disasters in the future. Mitigation funds from the SBA are an affordable way for survivors to rebuild smarter, stronger, and pay for improvements that protect life and property.

Vermont Business Magazine This month, Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) commemorates the one-year anniversary of the enactment of the CHIPS and Science Act, bipartisan legislation that made historic investments in semiconductor and chip manufacturing and clean energy technology development. The bill is a major step forward to create good paying green jobs, support domestic manufacturing, and advance U.S. economic competitiveness in high growth industries. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Development Division (CDD) today announced a new program to support child care, preschool, and afterschool programs with stabilization, expansion, and quality improvement efforts. The 2023 Child Care and Early Childhood Education law (Act 76) created the Readiness Payment Program to support child care, preschool, and afterschool programs in "getting ready" for the expansion of the Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP) and other changes in Act 76. 

Vermont Business Magazine Sunday was a busy day at the Champlain Valley Fair as we scanned in 16,510 Fairgoers to the “Ten Best Days of Summer!” This is up nearly 40% in paid attendance and 20% in total scanned attendees from our 5-year average for opening Sunday. It wasn’t just active at the gates. They parked over 5,000 vehicles and organized off-site parking and bus shuttles for the first time in eleven years. Their midway partner, Strates Shows, also had a banner day even after opening rides to the public with 100 minutes for free.

Vermont Business Magazine Today marks the start of the Fall 2023 semester at the University of Vermont, following a successful move-in week and Sunday’s traditional Convocation and Twilight Induction ceremony. The incoming class of 2027 is the most diverse group of new undergraduates in UVM’s history, with a 37% increase in international students over last year, a 16% increase in students who identify as BIPOC, and a higher percentage of first-generation college students. Fifty percent of the class is from outside New England, an indication of the university’s broadening national and international recognition and appeal — class members represent 45 states and 23 countries.

Vermont Business Magazine The Heritage Emergency National Task Force will present a webinar to help Vermont cultural institutions and arts organizations recover from damage caused by the July 7-17, 2023, severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides. The webinar, requested by the Vermont Arts & Culture Disaster and Resilience Network, will be offered via Zoom from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31. It is titled “Navigating Public Assistance for the Arts & Culture Sector.” Federal funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program is available for the arts and culture sector. The webinar will help demystify the PA process and explain how funding can help organizations recover. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, USDA announced $1,064,000 in combined funding to seven New Hampshire and Vermont communities through the Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program. Investments in the Twin States are all grants and are part of the national infrastructure initiative covering 36 states and 2 territories through various USDA programs. Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is investing $808 million to help rural cooperatives and utilities build and improve electric infrastructure and increase electric grid reliability and security, connecting hundreds of thousands of people in rural areas. This funding will also help provide clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater systems in rural areas.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont survivors of the July 7-17, 2023, severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides now have access to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Helpline. Experts will be available to offer advice on how to build your home back stronger and safer. Help is available to all homeowners, not only those affected by the recent storms. If anyone has questions about how to make their home safer, call the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Helpline at 833-336-2487. Listen to the prompts and select #3 for Vermont. FEMA mitigation experts are also available for in-person advice on rebuilding at Disaster Recovery Centers

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced  that “Vermont Strong” license plates are now available for purchase. All proceeds will support victims of the summer’s severe flooding. There are two different license plate options available. One says, “We Are Vermont Strong ’23” and the other also has the words, “Tough Too!” The license plates cost $35 each and retailers may place bulk orders for resale at their business. The two license plates can also be purchased in-person at all Vermont Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) locations starting September 1. In addition to the two plate options, there will be a limited, online only deal, where one can get a “Tough Too!” plate and a pair of Darn Tough “Vermont Strong” socks for $70.