Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott issued the following statement on the FDA’s announcement that children 12-15 years old are eligible for a Pfizer booster shot: “Today’s news that the FDA has approved booster shots for 12–15-year-olds is another important step forward. With cases expected to increase across the country over the coming weeks, the best way to keep Vermonters who are most vulnerable to severe illness out of the hospital is through vaccination and booster shots. Expanding eligibility for boosters will have an important impact and reduce disruptions."

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported 245 cases of COVID-19 on Sunday. The VDH did not report cases over the New Year's holiday. On Thursday, December 30, it reported a record 1,471 cases. Cases on Friday were 577, on Saturday 473 and Sunday 245. The record for cases was broken three times last week. Over the New Year's break, the VDH also reported there were nine total COVID-related fatalities for a statewide total of now 480.

Vermont Business Magazine United Van Lines released the company’s 45th Annual National Movers Study today, which indicates Americans were on the move to lower-density areas and to be closer to their families throughout last year. The annual study, which tracks the company’s exclusive data for customers’ state-to-state migration patterns, determined Vermont as the state with the highest percentage of inbound migration (74%) with United Van Lines. Topping the list of outbound locations was New Jersey (71%), which has held the spot for the past four years. Additionally, Burlington earned a spot in the top 25 inbound metropolitan statistical areas with 66% inbound.

Vermont Business Magazine Migration to southern states continues to be magnified by the lingering pandemic, and no state netted more U-Haul customers during the last year than Texas. However, Vermont rose from 26 to 12 and Maine jumped from 29 to 8. The Lone Star State earned bragging rights as the leading growth state of 2021, narrowly besting Florida for tops honors, according to transactional data compiled for the annual U-Haul Growth Index.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets has received funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission to expand market access and capacity for Vermont’s nonprofit food hubs through critical infrastructure investments. We are pleased to award $300,000 through a competitive grant process, aimed at helping food hubs support more farm and food businesses, expand their workforce, and advance their ongoing efforts to access larger metropolitan markets.

by Devon Green, VP Government Relations, VAHHS Heading into Omicron, it feels like we’re on an airplane with an unspecified mechanical failure—maybe Omicron will be mild and boosters and therapies will come together for a safe landing… but maybe not. Vermont’s hospitals are expected to have the most critical staffing shortages in the country.

by Christine McGowan, Vermont Forest Industry Network Brad Johnson would like to see wood products valued for the stand that’s left behind in the forest, not just the dollar value of the wood removed. Johnson founded Third Branch horse logging with Derek O’Toole in 2018 with two core values. First, they both love working in the forest with horses and second, they believe there is a market in Vermont for low-impact logging that emphasizes forest ecology over speed or volume.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont state’s minimum wage increased today, January 1, 2022, to $12.55 per hour. This is an increase of $0.80 from the previous minimum wage of $11.75.

This annual adjustment also impacts the minimum wage for tipped employees. The Basic Tipped Wage Rate for service, or “tipped employees,” equals 50% of the full minimum wage. On January 1, 2022, the tipped minimum wage increases from $5.88 to $6.28 per hour.

The minimum wage and tipped minimum wage are adjusted annually in accordance with Vermont law and take effect at the start of the new year.

Any employee who believes they are not being compensated fairly, according to this law, is encouraged to contact the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Unit at 802-951-4083 or online at Labor.Vermont.gov/Rights-and-Wages.

The Vermont State Police is investigating the death of an inmate at the Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport. Michael Cornell, 34, of Newport was found in his cell by Department of Corrections staff just before noon Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. He was given emergency care by DOC staff and EMS personnel before being taken by ambulance to North Country Hospital in Newport, where he was pronounced deceased shortly after 1 pm.

Vermont State Police On December 30, 2021 at approximately 1530 hours the Rochester Fire Department was dispatched to 233 Bindrum Lane in Rochester for a report of a structure fire.  When firefighters arrived, they found the single family log home fully involved with fire.  Firefighters from Rochester, Hancock, and Granville Fire Departments fought the blaze for several hours but were unable to save the structure. 

Vermont Business Magazine From January 6 - 14, critically acclaimed, award-winning authors and faculty of the Bennington Writing Seminars will host Writers Reading, an evening reading series during the MFA program's winter residency, which is being conducted remotely this term. All readings are free, open to the public, and will take place virtually via Zoom.

Vermont Business Magazine Bennington Jim Brown, President of The Bank of Bennington, announced this week that the Bank completed its 2021 annual giving to community food cupboards and fuel funds before the end of the year. In 2021, The Bank of Bennington donated over $25,000 to more than 20 area organizations in 11 towns.