Current News

VermontBiz chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Wednesday sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra urging the Biden Administration to protect patients and act to substantially reduce the price of an Alzheimer’s treatment that is under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Alzheimer’s is a horrible disease,” Sanders wrote. “We must do everything possible to find a cure for the millions of people who suffer from it. But we cannot allow pharmaceutical companies to bankrupt Medicare and our federal government in the process. If we are serious about reducing the national debt, we must substantially lower the price that Medicare pays for prescription drugs like Leqembi.”

VermontBiz The Emergency Department (ED) at Gifford Medical Center recently achieved silver-standard accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) in recognition of its excellent care for older adults. 

In its announcement, ACEP recognized Gifford as part of its Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) program, citing Gifford’s “remarkable team of interdisciplinary leaders” and focus “on the highest standards of care for [Gifford] communities’ older adults.” 

VermontBiz Scott Administration officials will be visiting Addison County on Thursday to continue their county tour to hear from community leaders about their unique infrastructure needs and to discuss the many funding opportunities available to them via federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Officials will offer guidance on how communities can apply for assistance with tangible economic development, housing, water and sewer, climate change mitigation measures, and broadband projects.

VermontBiz The Vermont Department of Labor is pleased to announce $400,000 in funding available to internship opportunities. The Work-Based Learning and Training Grants are open to all Vermont employers offering internships that provide meaningful training and work experience to eligible Vermonters. Applications will be accepted from June 5 through June 30. 

VermontBiz Governor Phil Scott announced action on the following bills, passed by the General Assembly. On June 6, Governor Scott returned without signature and vetoed S.217, An act relating to child care, early education, workers’ compensation, and unemployment insurance, and sent the following letter to the General Assembly.

Vermont Business Magazine Join the Addison County Economic Development Corporation, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, and other community partners on June 8 for an introduction and discussion about state and ARPA infrastructure resources that are available in the Addison County region. The Administration will be hosting a listening session/round table discussion at the Town Hall Theater about available federal funding resources and any outstanding regional and municipal project needs. 

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, June 3, 152 members of Bennington College’s Class of 2023 gathered, along with their family members and friends, faculty, and leadership, under a large tent on a green expanse of lawn at the southern end of campus to receive their degrees. 

The institution conferred four master’s degrees, one each in dance and music and two in public action, and 148 bachelor’s degrees. Undergraduate students had studied Cultural Studies and Languages; Dance; Drama; Environmental Studies; Literature; Music; Science & Mathematics; Society, Culture & Thought; and Visual Arts. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) wants to hear from you. VCBB is holding two virtual listening sessions next week to hear input on the current state of internet service; problems Vermonters have accessing, affording, or using it; and what can be done to improve it. The sessions will be Wednesday, June 14 from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and Thursday, June 15 from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. You can find the links to attend the sessions on the VCBB website. Everyone is welcome. 

Vermont Business Magazine Lawson’s Finest Liquids is proud to announce it has earned status as a Certified B Corporation. The award-winning Vermont-based brewery, founded by Sean and Karen Lawson in 2008, operates on a values-driven vision of making the finest quality beer while cultivating healthy, vibrant communities through ethical business and sustainability practices. Achieving B Corp certification is the latest step in the brewery’s 15 year history of commitment to positive social and environmental changes. Lawson’s Finest joins an elite community of only 18 breweries in the US who meet the rigorous standards required by B Lab, the non-profit behind the B Corp certification process.

V/T Commercial has announced its Commercial Real Estate Transactions for April & May. Linda I. Letourneau of V/T Commercial and on behalf of Mansfield Industrial Associates sold a 6.77 acre parcel at 1 Allen Martin Drive, Essex to Andrew Hood.  Bayada Health Care, Inc. leased a collective 5,476 square feet at 600 Blair Park, Williston from Triptik III Realty Partnership.  Tony Blake and John Beal of V/T Commercial assisted in this transaction.

Vermont Business Magazine As part of its Gen. John Stark Lectures, the Ethan Allen Institute is proud to present a dinner with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a noted environmentalist and advocate of individual liberty. Mr. Kennedy is a prolific and best-selling author, a nationally-syndicated radio host, and a frequent television commentator. He has been a traditional skeptic of government power--much like Thomas Jefferson was in his time.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) issued a statement today calling for free and fair elections and an end to corruption and impunity in Guatemala. Guatemala has long been plagued by corrupt elites who have abused their authority to remain in power and avoid accountability. The presidential election on June 25th offers an opportunity for the Guatemalan people to forge a new path and reject the criminality that defined the tenure of outgoing president Alejandro Giammattei and many of his predecessors.