Current News

Vermont Business Magazine JAG Productions, a Vermont and New York City-based company serving as an artistic sanctuary for Black creatives in the American theatre, announced its 2022/2023 line-up this week. JAG’s exciting seventh season, including new play and musical development, a residency at New York Theatre Workshop, the return of the wildly popular Theatre on the Hill, and a fully realized production of a new Afro-surrealist dark comedy presented in Vermont and New York City, centers around themes of freedom and healing. The season is titled The Freedom Practice.

Saint Michael’s College Class member Brian Lacey ’72 -- a highly successful entertainment executive and long a champion of the humanities and international scholarship at Saint Michael’s as a donor, trustee and volunteer -- led the push for his class to support the new Center for Global Engagement and efforts of its director, Jeffrey Ayres of the political science/international relations faculty.“ From the outset, a few of our classmates on the committee discussed ways our class could significantly raise the bar for both the level of class participation as well as the total financial commitment to the College for our 50th reunion,” Lacey said. “We felt it was important to accomplish these goals to demonstrate both the appreciation for our Saint Michael’s experience as well as establishing new benchmarks for future 50th reunion class gifts. Lacey believes a liberal arts education has a much longer trajectory than mere preparation for a career. “The class of 1972 gift underscores our collective faith and commitment that this special Saint Michael’s College experience is transformative and more importantly, will be available for worthy students for future generations,” he said.

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports Did you know that in the past 10 years, the number of program outings Vermont Adaptive has provided has grown 500%? That’s right, 500%! But the crazy part is, as a team, we have served so many more people year-round with our existing small but mighty staff. That’s about to change. There is a deep need for the adaptive recreation and adventure programs that Vermont Adaptive provides in our communities, and as that need grows, so do we.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported August 17 that COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are still considered "Low." Total cases for the week decreased slightly. However, hospitalizations increased about 24%. The BA.5 variant has become the predominant variant of COVID-19. As of August 13, there have been 6 COVID-related fatalities in August in Vermont, for a pandemic total of 702 (the VDH report could be updated as more data becomes available). There were 12 deaths from COVID in Vermont in July. There were 12 deaths in June attributed to COVID after 32 in May. May saw an increase in fatalities from April and March. June and July had the fewest COVID fatalities since July 2021 (2). The Delta variant then took off in August 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, S&P Global Ratings affirmed the State of Vermont’s AA+ (the second highest) general obligation bond ratings and revised the rating outlook from negative to stable. Vermont is still the highest rated New England state. In the ratings report, S&P wrote that the improved outlook is attributed to recent shifts in demographic trends, “retirement reforms designed to significantly reduce unfunded liabilities,” and historical credit strengths including “regular forecast updates, annual midyear budget adjustments, consistent reserve levels across economic cycles, and debt affordability oversight.” Vermont received the highest score possible in the financial management category. The state's bond rating was downgraded by Moody’s and Fitch from triple A status in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and the assignment of a “negative outlook” by S&P in 2020.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell one-tenth in July 2022 to 2.1 percent. All three major metrics showed positive results, as the labor force and number of employed increased and the number of people looking for work decreased. In addition, the civilian labor force participation rate rose to 61.7 percent in July, up one-tenth from June. The jobless rate has returned to pre-pandemic levels, but the labor force is still far behind and some 20,000 available jobs in Vermont are still unfilled. Vermont has the fifth lowest jobless rate in the nation.

Vermont Business Magazine Saint Michael’s College is being recognized for its longtime mission of and passion for service to the community. The Princeton Review, which issues annual reviews of the best colleges in the country, recently ranked Saint Michael’s College #25 on its list of colleges most engaged in community service. Saint Michael’s College has long focused on how students, faculty, and staff can make an impact on the larger community. Their founders, the Society of Saint Edmund, have their roots in service, hospitality, education and social justice, which is embodied by the college both inside and outside the classroom.

Vermont Business Magazine At his weekly media briefing on Thursday at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, Governor Phil Scott highlighted available resources and new state investments passed this year to combat the opioid epidemic and support those with substance use disorder, including nearly $9 million in new investments for prevention, treatment and recovery. The governor was joined by state leaders from the Department of Health, including Health Commissioner Dr Mark Levine, as well as representatives from the UVM Health Network, community prevention coalitions and health care providers. In total, across all funds, the state budget this year invests $66.2 million for substance use programs at the Vermont Department of Health. This includes nearly $9 million in new or additional state funding

Vermont Business Magazine Getting vaccinated has cool perks at the Fletcher Free Library on Tuesday, August 23 from 1-5 p.m. The first 40 participants will receive a coupon for a free creemee courtesy of the Burlington Bay Market & Café. This free walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be held in the Main Reading Room located in the Fletcher Free Library at 235 College St. in Burlington. No insurance or ID will be required. Anyone who is eligible can be vaccinated, anyone under age 18 will need consent from their legal guardian.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued his 10-point public safety enhancement and violence prevention action plan, laying out the framework of a comprehensive response to address violent crime and other public safety concerns across the state. To begin, Governor Scott has directed the commissioner of Public Safety and other agency and department executives – in partnership with other law enforcement entities, prosecutors, and the judiciary – to implement a 10-point plan focused on three core goals: To reinforce frontline law enforcement capacity and prioritize immediate reduction, prevention and prosecution of violent crime statewide; To expand prosecution capacity and help the courts address a backlog of cases; and To prioritize long-term violence prevention policies, systems, and services.