Current News

Vermont Business Magazine To continue fulfilling its mission of promoting and improving the economic well-being of its members and the communities it serves, and to support challenges communities face with housing, nutrition and healthcare, New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU) announced a number of year-end donations for 2021.

Vermont Agency of Agriclture Food & Markets Is your Vermont food or forestry business looking to expand into new markets? Consider applying for aTrade Show Assistance Grant from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM). This funding helps Vermont agriculture and forestry businesses with funds to identify, plan, exhibit, and sell their Vermont products at out-of-state trade shows or virtual shows targeting out-of-state buyers.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today 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 record for cases was broken three times last week and another four times this week. The VDH also today reported no additional COVID-related fatalities, which remain at 483 statewide. Hospitalizations today were 90 (down two); the record of 92 was set December 8. ICU stays, which also had been elevated, were 19 (up two).

by Kelly Nottermann Francie Caccavo was a female founder before the term became trendy. Back in 1991 when she started Olivia’s Croutons, she was simply a young mother looking for a creative way to work from home and be present for her children, then two and three years old. A self-described foodie who loves to cook, Caccavo noticed that there were very few croutons available commercially, and nothing that was particularly good. She started playing with recipes in her home kitchen, settling on a classic butter and garlic crouton, which she sold in paper bags hand stamped with her daughter’s name—Olivia’s.

Vermont Business Magazine Seeking to honor a leading Vermont environmentalist and the legacy of a legendary wildlife advocate, Green Mountain Power (GMP) is calling for nominations for the 13th annual GMP-Zetterstrom Environmental Award. Named for famed osprey advocate Meeri Zetterstrom, the award is given to one person, business, group, or non-profit that has made a significant contribution to Vermont’s environment. The award includes a $2,500 donation to the winner’s environmental cause.

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.