Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting 461 COVID-19 cases, which is among the highest on record, though down from Thursday's 517. The 17 worst days have all come since mid-September, following from the Delta variant surge that began in July. The Legislature will hold a special session this Monday to consider allowing local towns and cities to enact their own local mask mandates. Governor Scott called the session to address that issue. Legislative leaders have been clamoring instead for a statewide mask mandate in response to the recent surge in COVID cases.

Public Assets Institute Vermont netted a loss of just 75 businesses between March 2020 and March 2021, according to new data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. That followed a net loss of 258 businesses during the previous 12 months, most of which occurred around the onset of the pandemic. Between March 2020 and March 2021, nearly 2,500 businesses shut their doors, but more than 2,400 opened or reopened, most likely thanks to massive federal spending to mitigate the economic effects of the pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine iSun, Inc, a Williston-based leading solar energy and clean mobility infrastructure company with 50 years of construction experience in solar, electrical and data services, has announced its earnings outlook for FY2022.
iSun forecasts 2022 revenues of $165 million across its Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Utility segments, with an aggregate gross margin between 18% and 21%. iSun anticipates achieving these targets through a combination of organic growth, geographic expansion, continued execution of its project backlog and consumer demand.

Vermont Business Magazine United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is investing $222 million to build and improve critical community facilities in 44 states, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico. This community infrastructure funding will benefit nearly 2.5 million people in rural communities. This includes the Sharon Academy’s new STEM & arts wing—courtesy of a $1.91 million USDA RD loan. It also includes $132 million to support health care, food security, and emergency response services for more than 850,000 rural residents in 37 states.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I), Representative Peter Welch (D) and South Burlington City officials announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded the City a Rebuilding American Infrastructure With Sustainability And Equity (RAISE) grant totaling $9,768,834, to build a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Interstate 89. The project will provide a safe and protected way for bicyclists and pedestrians to travel between South Burlington and Burlington.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Public Service today released its draft Comprehensive Energy Plan, which lays the ground work for the state's energy future. The greenhouse gas requirements include 26 percent reduction from 2005 levels by 2025, 40 percent reduction from 1990 levels by 2030, and 80 percent reduction from 1990 levels by 2050. For instance, for transportation, meet 10% of energy needs from renewable energy by 2025, and 45% by 2040. And for heating, meet 30% of energy needs from renewable energy by 2025, and 70% by 2042.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement regarding negative PCR test results no longer being needed for Canadians traveling to the United States for less than 72 hours: “Our Canadian friends who live in border towns are integral to the fabric of Vermont, and they create economic opportunity for both sides of the border. It is welcomed news that Canada will soon be dropping testing requirements for Canadians reentering their country after visiting the United States for short periods."

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that the seasonally-adjusted October unemployment rate was 2.8 percent. Based on household data, this reflects no change from the prior month. The September unemployment rate was revised down one-tenth of one percentage point during the revision process. The comparable United States rate in October was 4.6 percent, which was a decrease of two-tenths of one percentage point from the revised September estimate.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Friday issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act: “I applaud Democrats in the House of Representatives for uniting to pass the Build Back Better Act. Now the legislation comes to the Senate where I hope to see it strengthened in a number of ways."

Vermont Business Magazine The Council of State Governments yesterday presented its analysis of Vermont prosecutions and court outcomes, reporting pronounced racial disparities in charging and sentencing decisions. Among the findings, CSG reported that Black people in Vermont are disproportionately overrepresented in misdemeanor and felony cases, and over 14 times more likely than white people to be defendants in a felony drug case. Black defendants are also far more likely to be incarcerated for certain felony offenses – including drug offenses – than white defendants, who are more often given alternatives to incarceration.

Vermont Business Magazine The St Albans Festival of Trees has evolved from a simple Gala evening with a cocktail party, dance and an auction of donated trees to raise money for charity, to a full Festival, boasting a packed week of holiday activities and entertainment, ushering in the season with merry style. The Festival continues to add events to their roster, dictated by the community, the weather, and even a Pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine Davis & Hodgdon Associates, CPAs, with offices in Williston and Rutland, is unveiling new names for itself and its entities. Recognizing that its client roster and service offerings have experienced substantial growth since its inception in 1990, the firm recently embarked on a rebranding initiative that encompassed name changes. Wanting to update its moniker to mark its evolution, and renowned for being entrepreneurs who happen to be CPAs, the firm and its entities looked to the future and their home state for inspiration.