Current News

Vermont Business Magazine In a first-of-its-kind study, research from the University of Vermont Cancer Center has linked phthalates, commonly called the “everywhere chemical,” to higher incidence of specific childhood cancers. Phthalates are chemical additives used to enhance the durability or consistency of plastics and a wide range of consumer products. Humans are routinely exposed to these compounds when they leach out of the products and into the environment. They are also used as inactive ingredients in some medications, especially those that require extended or delayed drug release to work properly, for example, some anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 84 cases of COVID-19 for Sunday, down from 120 on Saturday (142 on Friday). There were no additional deaths, which stand at 611 statewide. There have been four fatalities since March 5. March is shaping up to have the fewest deaths since last July. Vermont is averaging 119 cases over the last 7 days. Cases are down 94% since the Omicron peak. The state loosened its mask guidance on March 14 to individual preference. UVM ended its mask mandate on Saturday. Most cities and towns also have let mandates expire.

Hoffer Says Extremely Fast Grant Process Led to Millions in Improper Payments

Vermont Business Magazine State Auditor Doug Hoffer released an audit today of Vermont’s Health Care Stabilization Grant Program. Administered by the Agency of Human Services (AHS), the program issued 323 grant awards totaling $143.6 million to a wide range of health care providers. The audit reviewed $92.7 million of the awards and found that more than half of those payments – representing $7 million or 8% of the total grant money reviewed – were either too large or should not have been made at all per state statute and federal COVID rules.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), along with Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont), on Monday wrote to Kevin Miller, CEO of the Sciolex Corporation, to express concern over the treatment of Sciolex workers at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Vermont Service Center (VSC). Formerly based in St Albans, the VSC, now located in Essex Junction, is one of five USCIS service centers in the country that collectively handle between eight and ten million immigration cases per year – performing the essential work of preparing and processing immigration benefits applications and petitions.

The Committee on Temporary Shelter bids farewell to longtime leader, celebrates a lifetime of achievements

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the inimitable Rita Markley formally announced her upcoming retirement as Executive Director of the Committee on Temporary Shelter. Markley will step down on September 30, 2022, after 30 years of service to the non-profit organization.

“When I first walked through the doors of COTS 30 years ago as a volunteer, I had no idea that this organization would become the greatest love of my life, besides my family,” Markley shared. “I am deeply grateful for the remarkable staff, board, volunteers, and donors who have focused on solutions and innovative approaches to ending homelessness. COTS has never been stronger, and I am thrilled to see what the next generation of leadership will achieve.”

Vermont Business Magazine Taconic Capital Advisors and Eastern Real Estate have partnered to acquire University Mall in South Burlington. The 617,000-square-foot shopping destination is the largest in Vermont, as well as the most-visited in the state, with an estimated 3.9 million annual visitors. The property features an 85,500-square-foot JCPenney, an 86,000-square-foot Kohl’s, a 48,000-square-foot Hannaford Brothers grocery store, and a 60,000-square-foot Target – Target’s first and only store to open in Vermont. The mall features over 50 local and national shops and restaurants. The new owners paid $60 million.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) announces the selection of the Energy 2022 cohort of the DeltaClimeVT climate economy business accelerator. Eight early-stage energy companies from across the US and Canada will work with climate economy leaders, industry experts, potential partners and investment professionals over the next three months while completing an intensive curriculum, developed by ecosVC, during online workshops, webinars and mentoring sessions. The Vermont-based business accelerator kicked off the Energy 2022 program (the sixth cohort for the DeltaClimeVT business accelerator) last week.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont’s College of Education and Social Services (CESS) and the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) will honor outstanding teachers throughout Vermont and Vermont’s 2022 Teacher of the Year at the 41st Annual Outstanding Teachers’ Day on Wednesday, March 23, beginning at 4:30 pm. The virtual event will be hosted on Microsoft Teams. A live stream of the event will be available on UVM’s Outstanding Teachers’ Day web page.

​Vermont Business Magazine Shared civic values are under threat, authoritarianism is on the rise, and communities are losing their ability to debate constructively in the United States and around the world. Leading political thinkers, like those in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, make the case for rebuilding the common good by investing in civic education. Middlebury has now received substantial support that will enable it to further its long-standing, institution-wide efforts in this arena, and allow it to work with other institutions in the private and public sectors that are aiming to heal our divides.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets Longer, sunnier days have arrived and the recent stretch of warm weather is a welcomed change, bringing a sense of optimism and excitement for good weather and growing conditions ahead. Vermont has also recently adopted CDC’s new COVID-risk guidelines, allowing individuals more opportunities to get out and socialize once again. While we wait for mud season to pass, check out some of the following opportunities to get out and about this spring.

by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine Given all the givens accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic, Windsor County’s economy is doing OK. And OK is pretty good, given all the givens. It’s just still feeling a little unstable. Many of the challenges facing businesses in Windsor County, like staffing shortages and a lack of affordable housing, are true statewide, said Bob Flint from the Springfield Regional Development Corporation (SRDC). Local businesses and the local economy have limited sway over these external pressures.

by Timothy McQuiston VermontBiz has asked several financial leaders to offer their expertise on what they see as Vermont’s near future regarding the economy, finance, interest rates and inflation. This piece was first published in Vermont Business Magazine, shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine (February 24) and before the Federal Reserve Bank raised interest rates on March 16 by 25 basis points (one quarter point or 0.25%). Some economists had believed this first rate hike in three years (December 2018) could have been as much as 50 basis points. However, the Fed indicated this would be just the start of a series of rate hikes this year intended to slow inflation. Observers are suggesting there will be seven increases.