Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, (VNAHSR), one of the state’s largest providers of skilled home health and hospice services, announced that Ann Pollock, RN, Jamie Rosploch, OT, and Janet Hodge, PT have successfully completed the Certificate for OASIS Specialist-Clinical exam and may now use the COS-C designation.

Vermont Business Magazine A $15,000 grant has been awarded to Just Basics by the National Life Group Foundation to make upgrades to the Montpelier Food Pantry’s ventilation system so it can allow families to enter again. The pantry operates in the basement of a local church, providing food to 70 families per day three times a week. Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, the families have been unable to “shop” in the Pantry as they have in the past, because of inadequate ventilation.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (VACCE) held their annual conference this year with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training. Twenty-nine chamber directors from across the state attended the education conference and completed more than eight hours of training.

​Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University’s Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degree program has earned approval through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Education Recognition Program (ERP), which is valid for three years. The program, which is housed in the Department of Health and Human Performance, offers education in exercise science with specific tracks in strength and conditioning for sports and tactical athletes as well as pre-clinical preparation. Other programs in the department include health science, physical education and a Master of Athletic Training program launching in fall 2022.

Vermont Business Magazine NVRH Nurses Kim LaBounty, LPN, Women’s Wellness, Pauline Sylvain, RN, Emergency Department, Diane Gonyaw Covell, LPN, Kingdom Internal Medicine, and Megan Johnson, RN, NVRH Specialty Clinics, were honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for their compassionate care and peer support at The DAISY Award ceremony at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) on Tuesday, November 16. The ceremony, which is traditionally held on the units and attended by patients, colleagues and family members, was broadcasted via Webex for NVRH staff to view and celebrate the honorees.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Scott and Jennifer M.V. Fitch, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS), have notified the Addison County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) that they were awarded $35,000 for Addison County businesses through the Building Communities Grant Program for projects in Bristol and Monkton.

Vermont Business Magazine At a recent meeting, the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board awarded $1,968,509 in state funds matched by $1,411,500 in federal funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and $599,500 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to protect agricultural and recreational land, natural areas and forest land in 11 towns around the state. These investments will help to conserve 1,000 acres of farmland, expand Alburgh Dunes State Park, allow the towns of West Bolton and St. Johnsbury to protect public access to popular local spots, and restore an historic train station in Danville that will become a waypoint on a regional trail system.

Vermont Business Magazine OneDigital, the nation’s leading insurance brokerage, financial services, and HR consulting firm, has announced it has acquired Kinney Pike Insurance, headquartered in Rutland, Vermont, with five additional offices throughout the Green Mountain State. This acquisition comes quickly after OneDigital acquired HM Employee Benefits and Risk Management in Missouri to expand into the property and casualty (P&C) vertical earlier in 2021.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported 235 cases of COVID-19 Monday, down from 470 Sunday. There were 433 Saturday, and Friday's count was 461. Last Thursday there were 517 cases. The Department of Corrections also reported on Saturday nine more cases at the Newport prison, as six inmates and three staff tested positive. The VDH today reported one additional COVID-related death, which now stand at 405 statewide.

Vermont Business Magazine GMP and VGS are among an initial group of utilities recognized by the White House as part of an ongoing initiative to ensure vulnerable Americans are protected this winter and that unprecedented pandemic relief funding is distributed to customers for heat and utility assistance. VGS and GMP were among the first in the country to sign on to the White House initiative, agreeing to identify and notify customers eligible for assistance programs, and to guarantee no shutoffs for customers who are seeking assistance.

Vermont Business Magazine US Representative Peter Welch on Monday announced he is running for US Senate. Welch called on Vermonters to join him in fighting for a progressive agenda in the Senate. He will run for the seat now held by retiring, eight-term Senator Patrick Leahy, who announced last week that he would not seek another term. The election will be November 2022.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets The Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Board announces the award of over $600,000 in service provider grants and contracts to aid in the development of Vermont-based working lands businesses through technical and business assistance.