Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has been invited by President Joe Biden to virtually address the Summit for Democracy being held December 9-10. The Summit, hosted by the President, will bring together world leaders, heads of state, advocates for human rights and democratic values, and others to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing democracies in the 21st Century.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved the $20 million Net Zero Energy Revenue Bond for Burlington Electric Department with 70% of voters supporting the ballot measure. Largely cost neutral to ratepayers, the Net Zero Energy Revenue Bond will allow Burlington Electric Department to continue and expand the Green Stimulus incentives that have helped hundreds of Burlingtonians switch from fossil fuel-burning cars and furnaces to electric vehicles (EVs) and cold-climate heat pumps. The bond also will support grid updates for reliability, technology systems to better serve customers, and new EV charging stations.

Vermont Business Magazine As Ulysses "Junior" Bridgeman approached the end of a solid 12-year NBA career in 1987 and pondered life as a restaurant franchisee, he wondered whether there was a secret that separated the business success enjoyed by team owners from the athletic success of the players who worked for them. He came to realize the answer was no, and that the secret of success in business and athletics wasn't really a secret at all.

Vermont Business Magazine The program, funded using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, will invest a total of $5 million into the state’s aging housing stock. VHIP will provide grants of up to $30,000 per unit with a 20% funding match required to bring code non-compliant units back into habitability. This round of grants is dedicated to units serving renters who are exiting homelessness.

Vermont Business Magazine The federally-funded Talent Search program, which has made great strides connecting modest income Vermont high school students with opportunities for college and training, has received a six-year funding extension, according to the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), which has administered the grant program since 1969. The six-year, $2.6 million grant will allow VSAC to continue its work in 46 middle and high schools across the state. Each year, VSAC Talent Search counselors work with approximately 1,000 Vermont students, supporting them in areas such as study skills, career exploration, the college research and application processes, and selection of high school courses that will best prepare them for their post-secondary track.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and Department of Financial Regulation Commissioner Michael Pieciak today announced an emergency regulation issued by the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation requiring health insurers to cover the costs of COVID-19 antigen at-home tests. The rule covers approximately 140,000 Vermonters who purchase commercial insurance in Vermont’s individual, small and large group markets as well as the Vermont Education Health Initiative. The emergency rule requires health insurers to cover the retail purchase of most FDA-authorized COVID-19 antigen tests without cost-sharing for home use.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health on Tuesday reported 300 cases of COVID-19 (up 54 from Monday). On Sunday the VDH reported a record 643 cases. On Saturday, the VDH reported 539 cases of COVID-19, which had been the third highest total since the start of the pandemic. There were 482 cases of COVID-19 Friday. The previous record was 635 on December 1.

Vermont Business Magazine Abbie Sherman has been appointed Executive Director of the Vermont Economic Progress Council (VEPC), expanding her role at the Department of Economic Development (DED). In addition to her duties with VEPC Sherman has served as an integral member of the DED assisting wherever there had been bottlenecks due to the increased demands placed on us for business assistance due to COVID-19.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on December 6, 2021, James Bannister, 57, of Bethel, Vermont pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, including the opioids Tapentadol and Tramadol, in connection with his involvement in an international drug trafficking operation. According to court records and proceedings, from in or about 2019 through June 2021, Bannister and others used mailboxes in Vermont to receive shipments of controlled substances and misbranded pharmaceutical drugs sent from outside the United States. Bannister also received international shipments of controlled substances and misbranded drugs at his residence, including pills containing the opioids Tapentadol and Tramadol.

​Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan today announced that Vermont filed a brief seeking the reversal of the Purdue bankruptcy order granting unprecedented legal immunity for the Sackler family. The brief, submitted by a five-state coalition, came at the request of the U.S. District Court and argues that the Court should consider the Sacklers’ extraction of $11 billion from Purdue in the years leading up to its bankruptcy in determining whether the Sacklers’ nonconsensual liability release abuses the bankruptcy process.

Small Business Administration Vermont As the December 31 deadline approaches, the SBA VT office is hosting a webinar about the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan at 1 pm today, December 7. Up to date information will be shared and a review of the basics.

The SBA VT office is hosting the webinar every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 pm throughout December.

To access the webinar, visit http://ow.ly/9xna50H5h9Y.

To access the webinar by phone, call 802-490-7604 and enter code 319419247#.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA), in its capacity as the implementing entity for the State of Vermont, is seeking proposals to support the management of venture capital funds which will be allocated to the State of Vermont through the federal State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed The American Rescue Plan Act, which provided $10 billion to fund the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).