Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott along with the Vermont Department of Labor today celebrate Employee Appreciation Day in Vermont. Employee Appreciation is dedicated to giving thanks and recognition to employees across the state and country. The Department’s most recent labor market data shows there are 308,107 individuals employed in Vermont. Vermont’s workforce has a diversity of industries and opportunities, and these workers provide a great impact on Vermont’s local communities.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) and other Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies joined Civica’s initiative to manufacture and distribute affordable insulins that, once approved, will be available to people living with diabetes at significantly lower prices than insulins currently on the market. The medications are expected to be available to all consumers for $30 or less per vial starting in 2024.

Vermont Business Magazine The Champlain Housing Trust announced today that they have come to an agreement with a Vermont philanthropist and community leader to develop 100 new homes in Hinesburg. Jan Blomstrann, the former owner of NRG Systems, will donate approximately 46 acres south of the Champlain Valley Union High School to support the development of affordable, sustainable, and inclusive housing close to the town center.

Vermont State Police As the investigation continues into Tuesday’s fatal shooting in St Johnsbury, the Vermont State Police has obtained an arrest warrant in relation to an assault that occurred prior to the shooting. Jerry Ramirez, 35, of Brooklyn, New York, is the subject of a warrant for felony aggravated assault. Judge Justin Jiron signed the warrant late Wednesday in Caledonia County criminal court and ordered Ramirez be held on $50,000 bail. Ramirez currently is in the custody of the New York State Police after he was hospitalized late Tuesday following a vehicle pursuit on the Taconic State Parkway in the town of Milan. Ramirez ultimately will be extradited to Vermont to face local charges.

​Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets has announced a new fund from the US Department of Agriculture augmenting the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center and the region’s dairy businesses. Vermont’s and this region's dairies will now have the opportunity to submit additional proposals for up to $20 million in American Rescue Plan funds to further support processing capacity expansion, on-farm improvements, and technical assistance to producers as part of an additional overall investment of $80 million in the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives from USDA.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Mayor Weinberger announced Thursday that he is suspending the Burlington-Yaroslavl Sister City Relationship in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Established in 1988, the Burlington-Yaroslavl Sister City Program currently serves as an independent non-profit group to promote an exchange of culture between the two cities. Over the past 30 years, the two cities have facilitated exchanges and visits with students, business leaders, and athletes. The City of Burlington has long contributed $2,000 annually to the program’s budget.

Vermont Business Magazine The Campaign to End Qualified Immunity hosted a press conference at the Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop on Church Street in Burlington on Wednesday, March 2, demanding that legislators protect the civil rights of all Vermonters by passing S.254. This bill would end qualified immunity, the legal doctrine that shields police officers accused of misconduct from accountability and liability. The doctrine frequently prevents victims of police brutality from having their day in court.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) Wednesday evening held a statewide telephone town meeting to hear directly from Vermonters about the challenges they are facing and how the federal government can address the issues that matter most to them. Dr. Tim Lahey, an infectious disease physician at the UVM Medical Center, also joined the discussion to answer questions about the current state of COVID-19 in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s workforce crisis is compounded by a lack of access to child care. The Vermont Adult CTE Association (VACTEA) is working to address both issues by developing a program to support adults to enter careers as skilled, trained, child care providers. The program is designed to onboard individuals who for a variety of reasons could use extra support to begin their careers in Early Childhood Education (ECE).

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine As Vermont COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths have all decreased, Governor Scott today said that as of March 14 there no longer will be special COVID guidance for schools. This includes no additional masking recommendations for children and staff in the school building or on the school buses. Schools will follow the general statewide guidance on mitigation measures.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan today announced a national settlement in principle with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, for their role in the opioid crisis, that will increase the amounts of funds paid by the Sacklers from $4.325 billion under the original bankruptcy plan to at least $5.5 billion. The settlement is subject to court approval. The Sacklers must pay $1 billion above the original bankruptcy plan, as well as an additional $175 million which was previously conditioned on certain approvals, but which now must be paid on the bankruptcy effective date. The payments are spread over 18 years.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued an executive order expressing support for the Ukrainian people and outlining steps the state is taking in response to the Russian invasion of peaceful Ukraine. Along with support for the Ukrainian people, the governor will ask the Legislature, when they return to session next week, that the General Assembly appropriate $643,077, one dollar for every Vermonter, for humanitarian efforts needed to support the people of Ukraine.