Current News

Vermont Rail Action Network Updates on Ethan Allen to Burlington preparations and getting back to Montreal were presented by VTrans at Thursday’s Vermont Governor’ Rail Advisory Council. Work is almost finished on the platform at Burlington Union Station [Main Street Landing], the storage siding in Burlington yard, some crossings in Burlington and on an additional sidetrack at Florence in Pittsford. Vermonter ridership in October 2021 was down only 13.4% compared to 2019. The Ethan Allen was up 4% from 2019.

Vermont Business Magazine A reminder that the Agency of Commerce and Community Development is hosting a webinar to discuss COVID-19 mitigation recommendations in the workplace. Officials from the Agency of Human Services, Department of Health, Department of Labor, and Agency of the Administration will be on hand to discuss and answer questions about implementing ways to reduce COVID-19 disruption, slow the spread, and how you can extend your reach beyond employees to help customers, clients and your communities as we move forward. The webinar will be held TODAY, Monday, December 20th at 3pm to 4pm.

Public Assets Institute No surprise, Vermonters cut back their consumer spending in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The US Bureau of Economic Analysis released data recently showing that Vermonters spent $1.2 billion less in 2020 than the year before. That was about a 4 percent drop. But while people stopped shelling out for hotels, restaurant meals, and trips to the dentist, some appear to have made the most of being stuck at home. Spending on garden tools and equipment rose almost 14 percent, or $10 million, and on books and periodicals more than $35 million.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Patrick Leahy announced Monday that four Vermont organizations will share in $2.66 million in federal grants from the US Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). Voices Against Violence/Laurie’s House received $650,000 to operate five transitional apartments for survivors of intimate partner abuse, sexual violence and stalking in Franklin and Grand Isle counties. An $823,126 Services, Training, Officers and Prosecution (STOP) grant to the Vermont Center for Crime Victims Services will help to fund prosecutors with expertise in handling domestic violence cases. A Child and Youth Grant for $499,945 to Steps to End Domestic Violence will be used to support young people who may be exposed to domestic violence in their homes or community. The Vermont Network Against Sexual and Domestic Violence received $270,782, which it will use to support domestic and sexual violence programs across the state.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced his appointment of three Vermont Superior Court Judges: Elizabeth Novotny of Jericho, Heather Gray of Quechee and Justin Jiron of Underhill. “I have often said there are few responsibilities more important than governors making judicial appointments,” said Governor Scott.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont high school seniors, facing continued uncertainty amid the COVID-19 pandemic, will have access to additional support at the Community College of Vermont (CCV) next year. Thanks to a generous award from the J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation, current CCV Early College students who matriculate at the College and enroll in two or more courses in summer or fall 2022 will receive a stipend to cover the cost of one class or the equivalent amount to be used toward other costs associated with college. Early College is a state-sponsored program that allows Vermont students to spend their senior year of high school enrolled as full-time college students.

Shelburne’s Days Inn to continue operating as hotel, transformation of Harbor Place into permanent housing proposed

Vermont Business Magazine The Champlain Housing Trust announced it has purchased the Days Inn in Shelburne, it’s second major acquisition in December and eighth lodging establishment it has purchased since 2013. These properties, spread across six municipalities in Chittenden County, are serving a variety of purposes ranging from a facility for people escaping domestic violence, to the State’s COVID-19 isolation motel, to permanent housing with resident services.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets Agroforestry integrates agriculture and forestry techniques to create more diverse, productive, and sustainable land-use systems. Agriforestry has tremendous potential to reduce greenhouse gases, improve biodiversity, increase yield and crop diversity, enhance food access, and much more.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont department of Health on Sunday reported 463 cases of COVID-19, similar to the 454 cases Saturday. The VDH reported Saturday Vermont's first case of the Omicron variant. State health officials were expecting the variant showing up in Vermont with all the surrounding states and Quebec already reporting Omicron. The VDH also reported no additional deaths, which stand at 452 statewide. There have been 20 deaths in the last six days.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Sunday issued the following statement after Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced he would not support the Build Back Better Act: “If Sen. Joe Manchin wants to vote against the Build Back Better Act, he should have the opportunity to do so with a floor vote as soon as the Senate returns. He should have to explain to West Virginians and the American people why he doesn’t have the courage to stand up to powerful special interests and lower prescription drug costs; expand Medicare to cover dental, hearing and eyeglasses; continue the $300 per child direct monthly payment which has cut childhood poverty by over 40%; and address the devastating impacts of climate change."

Kyle Clark, CEO of BETA Technologies. Photos Courtesy of BETA Technologies.