Current News
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Today, Former Governor Howard Dean endorsed Kitty Toll, Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor at a press conference Monday morning held outside of the Vermont State House in Montpelier.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Today Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos announced Friday, June 24 as the official start of early voting for the Vermont Statewide Primary Election, to be held on Tuesday, August 9. To vote early in the August Primaries voters must request a ballot. In-person voting at the polls will still be available as usual. Early ballots can be requested through a voter’s unique MyVoterPage on the Secretary of State’s website, by phone, email or in writing directly from their Town or City Clerk, or by visiting their Clerk’s office in-person.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Bank of Burlington (in organization) announced Friday that they have raised a total of $33 million in startup capital. The new, locally-owned community bank had set out to raise $24-$30 million with the ability to accept an additional 10%. An initial capital raise was completed in July of 2021 and raised the first $2.85 million to fund the formation costs. The primary capital raise began on April 4, 2022, following the granting of a preliminary charter from the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation on March 16, and was closed on April 30, 2022, after becoming oversubscribed. The bank accepted the maximum of $33 million in capital. They hope to open for business as early as this summer.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended COVID-19 vaccines for children age 6 months through 5 years of age, paving the way for vaccinating the youngest Vermonters later this month. Both the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have been authorized for use. Providers will begin receiving the vaccines this week, but will have their own plans for administering them, so parents and caregivers should expect to hear from their child’s pediatrician when they are ready to begin vaccinations.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Vermont has the 2nd most small businesses facing hiring struggles, according to a new report from HelpAdvisor.com. Some are calling it the “Great Resignation,” others the “Great Reshuffle.” But no matter how you describe today’s job market, one thing remains true: Small businesses are having a hard time finding help. The study found that 44% of small businesses in Vermont had trouble hiring new employees in April. Only Missouri had a higher percentage.
by tim
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets This fall, join the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, in partnership with Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing and organizations from all across the state, to help visitors and Vermonters alike discover new ways to enjoy Vermont’s sweetest treat! The Maple 100 is a month-long, annual promotion highlighting the hundreds of maple activities, adventures, and maple-inspired products available across Vermont.
by tim
by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine Rutland County’s economy feels strong despite the constraints imposed by housing and workforce shortages. Has Rutland County found its new normal after almost two years of the COVID pandemic? Not yet — and that’s OK.
by tim
by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine Of Rutland Regional Medical Center’s 450 nursing positions, 50 to 60 are filled by traveling nurses. This means, when the hospital is short-staffed, it contracts with an agency to hire temporary nurses or doctors who travel from one facility to another. Rutland Regional is not unique in Vermont. Hospital officials have discussed how needing to rely on traveling health care professionals to fill vacancies has added significantly to the facility’s operating expenses. RRMC President and Chief Executive Officer Claudio Fort said, “We have more nursing vacancies than we've ever had at Rutland Regional.”
Rutland Housing Trust set to investigate converting the College of St Joseph campus into new housing
by tim
by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine Less than a year after the College of St Joseph ceased operations in spring 2019, the city of Rutland purchased approximately 20 acres of the 117-acre campus — including the school’s gymnasium, walking trails, parking lot and ballfields — to use for a recreation center. Heartland Communities of America, a developer of faith-based senior care communities headquartered in Florida, eyed the remaining 90-plus acres for its first project in the state of Vermont. But that plan eventually fell through. Now, the Housing Trust of Rutland County has stepped in to propose redeveloping the property, which is situated in West Rutland.
by tim
Public Assets Institute This will be the eighth annual award, a tribute to Con’s life’s work and commitment to public service. The goal of the award is to encourage and reward leaders who share his vision of a better Vermont—one that places the highest value on the public good—who seize the responsibility for making that vision real, and who mentor emerging leaders.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont National Guard is hosting an Open House at the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont on September 11, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This free event will feature military and civilian aircraft, military vehicles and equipment, demonstrations, and interactive displays from both the Army and Air National Guard.
by tim
Helping Vermonters Eat Healthy, Helping Vermont Farmers
Vermont Business Magazine Starting on July 1, 2022, about $176,500 in coupons will be made available to help eligible Vermonters buy locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets and farm stands. Coupons are still available at many locations. Coupons are issued on a first come, first served basis, and may be used at any of the 58 markets and farm stands enrolled in the program this summer.