Current News

Monday, January 10: Updates to the case dashboard will be delayed as VDH works on accurate reporting for recent days. Case counts from Saturday and Sunday will be adjusted along with the regular updates as soon as possible.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health on January 9 reported a steep fall in cases as testing also was down. Cases were 203 for Saturday after setting 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. With case counts now elevated, the seven-day positivity rate has increased to 13.8 percent, which ties the record set January 8.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, in advance of the quarterly filing deadline, Becca Balint’s campaign for Congress shared its impressive Q4 2021 fundraising totals with the public. In less than three weeks—over the holiday season—Balint raised $200,695.18. Balint’s extraordinary number of individual contributors indicate widespread, grassroots support all across Vermont, putting her in a strong position to build a robust campaign apparatus in advance of the August primary.

Vermont Business Magazine Community leaders and legislators gathered in Montpelier today to discuss environmental justice in Vermont, and the actions being taken to remedy known inequities among impacted populations. Vermont is one of few states that lacks an environmental justice policy, and the passage of S148, has become a priority for environmental and social justice organizations across the state.

Neighboring states, including Maine, are exploring similar paths towards greater environmental equity. The Maine Legislature passed a law last month requiring the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future to define ‘environmental justice’ and other related terms, and develop methods incorporating equity into decision making in state agencies.

Vermont Business Magazine RV Retailer, LLC (RVR), based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, today announced it is entering the New England market with the acquisition of Country Camper. Country Camper has stores in East Montpelier, Vermont and New Hampshire and a new store under construction in Connecticut that is expected to open in the second quarter 2022. The acquisition is expected to be completed in February.

Vermont Business Magazine Grant funding is now available to support projects through the South Lake Champlain Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation. The South Lake Champlain Fund supports projects focused on education and research concerning the cultural and ecological history and heritage of Southern Lake Champlain. Projects must be located on the southern portion of Lake Champlain (the area of Lake Champlain south of Crown Point in both Vermont and New York) with a preference for projects directly on the lake or in close proximity.

Vermont Business Magazine Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) has recently added a new loan program to its lending portfolio. “KIVA” is a crowdfunding platform, with a zero percent interest rate and a maximum $10,000 amount. The platform is provided through partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), KIVA and BDCC. BDCC was recently awarded KIVA trustee designation, the first in the State of Vermont, through its partnership with rural LISC.

Vermont Business Magazine Three Vermont National Guard biathletes will compete in the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing as part of the US Biathlon Team with an additional member named as the men’s alternate. The Vermont National Guard sends experienced Olympians Spc. Sean Doherty and Spc. Leif Nordgren for the men’s team as well as Spc. Deedra Irwin who will make her first Olympic appearance. Spc. Vaclav Cervenka will serve as men’s alternate to make his Olympic debut if needed.

The Vermont Arts Council honors its 2021 Arts Award recipients in the premiere of short video tributes about their work, as well as a video message from Governor Phil Scott.

Each year, the Vermont Arts Council in partnership with the governor’s office honors five individuals who have made exceptional contributions to our state’s cultural landscape. Due to the pandemic, the Arts Council was unable to hold its annual in-person ceremony, so instead the Council is honoring its recipients in film.

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group has established an endowment to support its annual charitable giving through the National Life Group Foundation by seeding an investment fund with $20 million. This is another substantial step toward serving and supporting its communities with this investment in securing the future of the National Life Group Foundation’s power for good.

Vermont Business Magazine A suspect has been taken into custody following a shooting incident Monday morning at an apartment building on Caswell Avenue in Derby Line. Police began receiving reports of gunfire at about 9:45 am. No one was injured, and the danger to the public is now believed to have ended.

by VAHHS President Jeff Tieman There are few places in the U.S. today where partisanship isn’t front and center, too often clouding common sense and derailing progress on critical issues. Given the state of affairs in Washington and the stress of our third year managing a pandemic, it was hopeful last week to see some unity and common purpose in our corner of the country.

Vermont Business Magazine Patricia Preston, a lifelong Vermonter who currently serves as Executive Director of Vermont Council on World Affairs, announced she is seeking the Democratic Nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. For nearly the last decade, Patricia has served as the executive director for an organization that brings international leaders together with Vermonters in the public and private sectors, building relationships that strengthen our economy and create opportunities for Vermont businesses and individuals.