Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), will change the vehicle route to its main entrance, Emergency drop-off, and some patient parking starting Monday, January 10. The changes are part of a project to renovate and expand the SVMC Emergency Department.

​Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) COVID Resource Center hours will change starting Monday, January 10. The center will no longer take appointments for COVID testing. Tests will be available without an appointment 8 am – noon Monday to Saturday. COVID vaccinations and boosters—both walk-ins and scheduled appointments—will be available 1 – 5 pm Monday to Friday and 8 am – noon on Saturday. Hours may change based on demand and other factors.

​by Liz Medina, Executive Director, Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO Before the new year, the Vermont Climate Council hastily approved its “Initial Climate Action Plan” (CAP). There is undoubtedly a sense of relief that Act 153—the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA)—is being taken seriously. The urgency is highlighted by a University of Vermont report naming last summer as Southern Vermont’s wettest on record.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported another new record with 2,642 cases of COVID-19 for Friday, easily breaking Wednesday's record of 2,188. The previous record of 1,727 cases of COVID-19 was set last Monday. On December 30, it reported a then-record 1,471 cases. The record for cases was broken three times last week and another four times this week. The VDH also today reported one additional COVID-related fatality, which remain at 483 statewide. With case counts now elevated, the positivity rate has increased to 13.8 percent, well ahead of the previous record high of 12.6 percent set on January 6, 2022.

Vermont Business Magazine The legendary Hazelett Strip-Casting Corporation of Colchester has been acquired by EBNER Group, headquartered in Leonding, Austria, through the acquisition by EBNER of a majority interest in Hazelett. Mino S.p.A, based in Alessandria, Italy, will remain a shareholder along with David Hazelett, who will also remain as both a shareholder and president. Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal was announced Friday.

Vermont Business Magazine In response to last night’s announcement that the state would abandon two key elements of mitigating the spread of COVID in our schools, the board of the state’s largest union today issued the following statement: The secretary of education decided to commemorate one of the most chaotic weeks ever in Vermont schools by yet another Friday night announcement of yet another abrupt COVID policy shift. Yesterday’s announcement that schools must stop contact tracing and surveillance testing – with a promise of more guidance next week – is a demoralizing blow to the thousands of Vermonters who work in our schools, who attend our schools, and are parents of students in our schools.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections detected three new incarcerated cases of COVID-19 during intake quarantine at three different facilities: Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility (CRCF) in South Burlington, Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility (MVRCF) in Rutland, and Northwest State Correctional Facility (NWSCF) in St. Albans.

Leonine Public Affairs The Vermont General Assembly convened for the 2022 legislative session on Tuesday, January 4. Legislators are starting the session working from their homes and offices, as has been the case since the COVID-19 pandemic swept Vermont in March 2020. Lawmakers had hoped to return in-person for the 2022 session, but the surging Omicron variant caused legislators to approve a two-week remote start to the year.

Vermont Business Magazine Funding is now available from the Vermont Women’s Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation for organizations and programs supporting economic security and well-being, and career opportunities, for Vermont women and girls. The 2022 competitive grant program will award grants of up to $10,000 for accepted proposals.

Vermont Business Magazine Every year during the holiday season, SunCommon hosts an annual Holiday Giving campaign to shine light on important issues in our local communities. While the company’s core mission is addressing climate change through the installation of commercial and residential solar, this annual campaign uses the business as a force for good beyond their everyday work.

Vermont Business Magazine Thomas Dukeshire, formally owner & CEO of Rural Techs, announces the launch of his new company, Rural Solutions, in Burlington. Described as a “one-stop shop” for small businesses, Rural Solutions offers small businesses the support needed for success: IT & technology (including both hardware and software components); business financial planning, analysis, and bookkeeping; business strategy and consulting; and full-scale marketing.

Vermont Business Magazine Richmond-based Clear Spot, a communications company serving mission-driven organizations, is pleased to announce it is expanding as a partnership between co-owners Katie and Kevin Titterton. Founded in 2016 to support Vermont nonprofits with thoughtful, nimble, and affordable communications content and strategy, Clear Spot works with organizations supporting the arts, children, education, the environment, food systems, energy resilience, poverty relief, and more.