Current News

​Vermont Business Magazine Four times each year, New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU) selects four recipient organizations at random to receive $625 each, for a total of $10,000 annually. NEFCU’s community giving donation recipients for the first quarter of 2022 were: Addison Volunteer Fire Department; Project HOePpnEr; The University of Vermont Health Network-Home Health & Hospice; and Fairfield Community Center.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 179 cases of COVID-19 for Sunday, which typically has fewer cases. There were 251 on Saturday and 372 last Friday (331 Thursday, 341 Wednesday, 332 Tuesday, 151 Monday, 150 Sunday, 261 Saturday, and 313 last Friday.) The VDH reported no additional deaths, for 629 statewide. COVID cases now are highest per capita in the last two weeks in Washington, Chittenden, Bennington and Grand Isle counties. Cases in Bennington have seen a surge the last several days.

Vermont Business Magazine NBT Bancorp Inc (NASDAQ: NBTB) reported net income of $39.1 million, or $0.90 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to $39.8 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2021 and $37.3 million, or $0.86 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2021. Norwich, NY-based NBT Bank has branches in western Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger and Burlington Electric Department (BED) today announced the annual update to the City’s Net Zero Energy Roadmap, providing new 2021 data that show emissions in the thermal and ground transportation sectors in the city increased 1.5 percent in 2021 relative to 2020, but remain 12.5 percent lower than the Roadmap’s 2018 baseline. For comparison, emissions in the United States rose 6.2 percent in 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine Whether looking for a job or considering a career change, Vermonters will have no shortage of opportunities in the coming weeks. In coordination with key local partners, six job fairs and hiring events will be held with the support of the Vermont Department of Labor, including the AGC/VT one Tuesday in Essex Junction. Others will be held in Rutland, May 3; Springfield, May 11; Middlebury, May 19; Bennington, May 24; and in Barre, June 1.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Business Roundtable (VBR) stated their support for public investment in a childcare system that meets the needs of all Vermont children, families, and employers. VBR is composed of 100 CEOs and leaders from Vermont’s top business and nonprofit employers. Member businesses employ thousands of Vermonters and are represented in nearly every sector of the economy and every region of the state. “The Vermont Business Roundtable urges all Vermonters to recognize publicly-funded childcare as the best investment we can make for children and families, for employees, and for the Vermont economy – in that order,” said Seth Bowden, President of VBR.

Vermont Business Magazine RunVermont announced today that M&T Bank (M&T) will take over as the Title Sponsor of the Vermont City Marathon & Relay, from People’s United Bank, after closing on its merger with People's, April 2, 2022. The sponsorship will run through 2024. The newly named, M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay will take place, May 29, 2022, in Burlington and will consist of a full marathon, two- person relays, and three- to five-person relays. The roster of events includes an estimated 4,800 runners from across 46 states and 5 countries. A flat course that winds through Burlington and along Lake Champlain, has long been considered a community effort, recognizing all those who have had a hand in making the race a success since 1989. The race extends through much of Burlington and finishes in Waterfront Park.

Vermont Business Magazine Four nonprofit organizations in Vermont and New Hampshire will receive support from Citizens Bank to help those they serve make informed financial decisions through a set of contributions. Through the bank’s Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money program, these nonprofits will receive a total of $50,000 to support work in this critical area across the state. In Vermont, the organizations are: Champlain Housing Trust and Vermont Works for Women.

Vermont Business Magazine Ready for a new career or looking for someone to fill one? The Associated General Contractors of Vermont is the construction industry leader, and we are driving employers and future employees together faster than ever before. AGC/VT invites you to attend Vermont’s largest and most inclusive Job and Career Fair. There will be over 150 employers. Governor Phil Scott and economic development officials will also be in attendance. It will be held at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Jct, from 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday, April 26. Our Job/Career Fair is completely FREE to all Career & Job Seekers! This Job/Career fair is a “one stop shop”, multiple companies from many different industries and sectors in a mutual meeting location. Attending one will give you the opportunity to see "current openings" and meet with the actual Hiring Managers, yes the people who make the hiring decisions. Most even interview and hire On The Spot!

by Devon Green, VP of Government Relations, VAHHS There’s a saying in negotiations along the lines of “a good compromise leaves everyone unhappy.” Last week was full of tense negotiations, particularly around the health care reform bill, S.285. While everyone is walking away from that bill sufficiently unhappy, I was struck by what a joy it was to sit in-person around a table for the first time in over two years to hash things out. We’ve accomplished amazing things remotely, but nothing quite compares to the flow of ideas that happens when you’re face-to-face. In process legislation included health care workforce, including help for nurses, and health care reform.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets is pleased to announce $300,000 in sub-awards to five regional nonprofit food hubs as part of a 2021 Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) award. NBRC is a Federal-State partnership to advance economic development and infrastructure in economically distressed counties across Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. In Vermont, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) serves as the State-side of this partnership, identifying those opportunities for NBRC investment that will strengthen the local economy and quality of life for all Vermonters.

by Annette Smith If you have heard of the Clean Heat Standard, the messaging is: it will save you money, reduce fossil fuel consumption and reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions to comply with the Global Warming Solutions Act. Without it, the State of Vermont will be sued! CHS, H.715, is complicated legislation from the House Energy & Technology Committee, the same committee that birthed the GWSA that created the Vermont Climate Council. The proposal places the burden of reducing Vermont consumers’ fossil fuel consumption on “obligated parties:” fuel dealers.