Current News

by C.B. Hall, Vermont Business Magazine The depot that has stood beside the railroad tracks in New Haven Junction since the mid-1800s has a new home – almost. At the cost of about $1 million, a contractor has moved the handsome Italianate structure to the parking lot of New Haven's municipal building. Over three days, the contractor, East Montpelier's Messier House Moving & Construction, hauled the brick structure across the mile and a half of fields intervening between the junction and New Haven village, culminating in its arrival at the municipal building, on North Street, Thursday afternoon.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced his appointment of Matthew E. Walker, of Swanton, to the Vermont House of Representatives, representing House District Franklin-4. Walker replaces former Representative Brian Savage (R-Swanton) who resigned last month. Walker and his wife PattiJo own and operate Vermont Clothing Company & JC Image, a screenprinting, embroidery and graphic design business of nine employees. Prior to that, he was director of international transportation for AN Deringer, Inc.

Vermont Business Magazine The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) hosted by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) announces the availability of funds through the Dairy Packaging Innovation Grant program, which will provide grants to projects that decrease environmental impacts of dairy product and supply chain packaging and increase marketability of dairy products. Grant funds are available to projects along the spectrum of research, development, and implementation and for projects at a variety of scales.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan announced today that Navient, one of the nation’s largest student loan servicers, will provide $1,680,523 in debt relief to Vermont borrowers and reform its loan-servicing practices. The consent judgment, filed last week, is part of a $1.85 billion, multistate settlement joined by a coalition of 39 attorneys general resolving allegations of Navient’s unfair and deceptive student loan servicing practices and abuses in originating predatory student loans. If approved by the court, 65 qualified Vermont borrowers will receive private loan debt cancellation from Navient.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger and the City of Burlington Department of Public Works announced that a Record of Decision (ROD) for Champlain Parkway Project has been issued by the Federal Highway Administration on January 20, 2022. The issuance of the ROD signals the completion of the National Environmental Policy Act process for environmental clearance. The Record of Decision allows work to move forward on the project to improve traffic circulation in the overburdened Southwest section of the city. Construction is estimated to cost $37 million and could begin this year.

Vermont Business Magazine This morning, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled two limited-edition bobbleheads of United States Senator Bernie Sanders, commemorating a pair of Senator Sanders’ memorable moments. The new bobbleheads are being released to celebrate the first anniversary of the viral Bernie Sanders Inauguration Day Mittens moment. The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum released a bobblehead commemorating the moment within hours of Bernie going viral at the inauguration on January 20, 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine President Biden Thursday announced that he is appointing John Roberts as Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Vermont. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) had recommended Roberts for the position. Leahy: “I’ve known John for many years. He has the qualifications and experience to lead the Farm Service Agency at a critical time for our state when there is much to be done. As with other areas of the economy, the pandemic has created a great deal of uncertainty and disruption in Vermont’s food system and farm economy. Our farmers and rural communities need the vital services that FSA provides, and John is the right person to lead that effort.”

Vermont Business Magazine This week the Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) announced the launch of a $116 million Broadband Construction Grant Program. Beginning this spring, the program will allow Communications Union Districts (CUDs) and other eligible providers to accelerate construction efforts to reach all Vermonters without adequate broadband service.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today strongly encouraged Vermonters to order at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests at covidtests.gov. This Biden Administration’s initiative – which launched this week – is similar to a program piloted by the State. Through this new federal program, each household is eligible to receive four tests, which are expected to ship within 7-12 days of ordering. Supplies are limited.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 1,115 cases of COVID-19 for Wednesday (1,344 Tuesday and 715 Monday). As of Wednesday, COVID-related deaths stood at 507 statewide. Case rates appear to be declining in Vermont and in the Northeast. However, declines in COVID-19 fatalities and hospitalizations are expected to lag behind case improvements in coming weeks. Hospitalizations today were 115 (down from yesterday's record of 122).

by Carolyn Shapiro, University of Vermont In the heat of summer, signs go up at beaches and access points around Lake Champlain, warning of the presence of cyanobacteria and its potential dangers to people and pets. Scientists and lake experts have predicted that climate change will spur the formation of blue-green algae blooms, which harm water quality and recreational use of the lake by residents and tourists. Now, a new study led by a team of researchers based at the University of Vermont has applied a unique modeling method to more precisely assess the influences of temperature and precipitation – and the relationship between them – on cyanobacteria growth.

by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) As you read this, the number of COVID cases in Vermont are reaching levels far greater than at any point in the crisis. Today, I am writing to you with some news that should be of help as we fight this terrible pandemic. The scientific community has been very clear that wearing masks helps prevent the spread of the COVID virus. It protects both the individual who wears the mask and those who are nearby.