Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (VAHHS) responded today to the Vermont Agency of Human Service’s health care access report on wait times for certain medical specialties. The assessment has been underway since the fall of 2021. The report itself uses various methodologies to compare services and wait times for medical appointments. It also makes regional, national and global comparisons. Hospital leaders welcomed the review but cautioned that it should be used to reveal opportunities for improvement and not to confuse or mislead from the challenges—some very unique to Vermont and some global—facing health care today.

by Devon Green, VP of Government Relations, VAHHS When Representative Fagan from the House Appropriations Committee asked me to quickly pull together all of our chief nursing officers to discuss workforce and increasing clinical education opportunities, I knew it was a tall order. Our chief nursing officers are working the floor right now due to staffing shortages. In the end, the only time that worked was 6:30 am on Friday. Luckily, key legislators and several representatives from higher education accommodated our schedule, and our chief nursing officers had the opportunity to advocate for increasing resources towards the shared faculty model, preceptor pay, back-filling clinical positions that are used for instruction and livable stipends for nurses pursuing advanced degrees.

by John McClaughry Earlier this month the Scott Administration released the Report of the Governor’s Commission on the Future of Agriculture. The Report is well-written and constructive, but for many people seriously concerned with this subject, it is likely to be a disappointment. The 33-page Report purports to chart a path forward to cope with today’s crucial challenges and opportunities. It does a good job explaining that “agriculture is a principal engine for Vermont’s rural economy,” and that our farming sector – especially its largest component, dairy farming – is essential to preserving Vermont’s scenery and indeed its iconic character. Point taken.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) Medical Matters Weekly with Dr Trey Dobson welcomes Lea Davison, an Olympic mountain biker, at noon on Wednesday, February 23. Davison is a two-time Olympian from Jericho, Vermont. She is a graduate of Middlebury College, where she competed as a downhill ski racer. She began mountain bike racing in 2001. Her career highlights include a silver medal at the 2016 World Championships, bronze medal at the 2014 World Championships, and 3rd overall in the 2015 World Cup series.

Vermont Business Magazine 175 Vermont businesses from diverse industries completed the latest annual economic survey in January regarding the outlook of Vermont’s small- to medium-sized businesses. 78% of the business owners who responded have fewer than 25 employees. The survey, presented by Davis and Hodgdon CPAs and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, revealed that there is less pessimism in business owners’ attitudes about the Vermont and US economies than in previous years. While pandemic-related issues continue to affect most businesses, owners remain optimistic about their operations and profitability. Over half (55%) of the business owners surveyed acknowledge that the pandemic has permanently changed the way they do business.

Vermont Business Magazine Daniel J Misleh, a prominent spokesperson on the Catholic approach to climate change and founder of Catholic Climate Covenant, will be the 2022 Commencement speaker at Saint Michael’s College during this year’s ceremony on Sunday, May 15, President Lorraine Sterritt announced. Catholic Climate Covenant that Misleh founded is a partnership of 20 national Catholic organizations engaged in a serious and sustained conversation about climate change, focused on promotion of the common good, protection of the poor, and the exercise of prudence.

by Chris Campany, Executive Director, Windham Regional Commission Vermont’s regional planning commissions have been close to level funded since 2001. This makes it difficult to keep up with the needs of the towns we serve and the work we want to do in service to the Region as a whole. It also diminishes the role and responsibilities of our Commissioners, and our ability as a Commission to work with towns to establish regional priorities. Funding for Municipal Planning Grants has also been stagnant, and have actually decreased during the same 20-year period. This reduces access to planning funds for towns during a period when planning demands have only increased in number and complexity.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University announced today that US Army Captain Deshauna Barber, the first-ever soldier to be crowned Miss USA, will deliver the university’s 2022 commencement address to graduating seniors on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Barber is a former Miss USA and award-winning international speaker, coach and entrepreneur with a bold approach to inspiring and encouraging her audience. Barber uses her experience as an Army officer, nonprofit CEO, former Miss USA, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) graduate to inspire her audience. Barber shows the power of perseverance and tenacity and how it led to her becoming a top-rated speaker sought after by Fortune 500 companies. She works full time as the president and chief executive officer of Service Women’s Action Network

​Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University’s graduating future officers will hear remarks from a fellow alumnus at this spring’s joint services commissioning ceremony. US Army Major General Douglas Stitt is a 1990 Distinguished Military Graduate of Norwich University. MG Stitt has served in various assignments in the United States and overseas. He currently serves as Director, Military Personnel Management in Headquarters Department of the Army.

Vermont Business Magazine M&T Bank Corporation (NYSE: MTB) and People's United Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBCT) have jointly announced that the two companies have agreed to extend their merger agreement from today, February 21, 2022, to June 1, 2022. The merger received approval from both the New York State Department of Financial Services and the Connecticut Department of Banking in October 2021. Approval by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is the outstanding regulatory approval required to complete the merger. People's and M&T announced on February 22, 2021, that Buffalo-based M&T would acquire Bridgeport, CT, People's for $7.6 billion. People's has branches across Vermont.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets Working lands farm, food, and forest businesses are integral to Vermont’s landscape. They are the cornerstone of the Vermont economy, a top source for job creation, and fundamentally part of what makes Vermont a quality place to live. Since its formation in August 2012, the Working Lands Enterprise Board has awarded over $7.3 million in grant funds to over 200 Vermont working lands businesses, leveraging more than $11 million in matching funds. View the complete list of previously funded projects, and read the full 2021 Impact Report to visit with the priorities of the Working Lands Enterprise Board, and the stories of the grantees this past year.

Vermont Business Magazine LaunchVT, a division of the Lake Champlain Chamber, is now accepting applications for its 2022 Accelerator. The selected startups will be the tenth cohort to come through LaunchVT’s flagship acceleration program. Over the past nine years, LaunchVT has provided business development support, strategic coaching, and over $859,000 in cash and services to accelerate 60 Vermont startups statewide.