Current News
by tim
by Cathy Davis. President of the Lake Champlain Chamber In the past two months, I have heard about housing challenges almost as much as I’ve heard about staffing shortages. Of course, they’re related. If employees can’t find housing, they have to move to where they can find it.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Today, Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) led a coalition of 40 bipartisan members in a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra, urging HHS to release Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds as quickly as possible and at the highest level available under the current continuing resolution.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Champlain College Online today announced findings from its survey, Adult Viewpoints 2021: The Cybersecurity Skills Gap and Barriers to Entry, which found that nearly 80% of American adults took action to protect themselves following recent cyber events and close to 30% of non-cyber workers were willing to consider a cyber career. The study highlighted an increased interest in cybersecurity and cybersecurity education, but it also brought to light barriers preventing potential cyber professionals from launching careers in the in-demand space that's ripe with job opportunities. The study revealed three distinct barriers — high expectations of prior training, lack of diversity and inclusion, and toxic work environments.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Open enrollment for 2022 health is here and analysts at QuoteWizard have found that the number of people without healthcare coverage in Vermont has declined by 79 percent since January to just 1 percent, according to the CDC's Household Pulse Survey. Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island have zero uninsured and Texas has the highest rate at 21 percent.
by tim
This gift to fund scholarships is the largest donation ever to The Curtis Fund
Vermont Business Magazine The Curtis Fund, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, is honored to announce a $1.5 million gift from the estate of George and Mazy Preston. During their lives, the Preston’s were known around Burlington—George was the President of the former Bero’s Jewelry Company and Mazy taught art at both the University of Vermont and at Adams School. The George and Mazy Preston Gift, as the estate has named it, is the largest gift ever received by The Curtis Fund since it was created in 1910.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center will host a job fair on Friday, October 29, from 1:00 – 5:00 pm at the McClure Gymnasium at 1138 Pine Street. With positions available in a wide range of departments including facilities, school programs, residential, long term supports and services, information management, crisis, and more, visitors will have the opportunity to talk with Howard Center’s experienced staff at the job fair and learn first-hand about our organization’s unique and rewarding career opportunities and how their skills and experience can benefit the people we serve.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) Medical Matters Weekly with Dr. Trey Dobson—a weekly interactive, multiplatform medical-themed talk show—has produced 37 episodes since February 2021. It’s season one finale, scheduled for October 27, will feature Pediatric Critical Care Physician Rebecca Bell, MD, MPH, of the University of Vermont (UVM) Children’s Hospital. The live show will air one day after a Food and Drug Administration meeting that is expected to recommend the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 – 11.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Everyone has a story and Peaceful Harvest Mushrooms is excited to share theirs. Karen and Brian Wiseman are redefining success on their humble homestead in Worcester, Vermont. In 2011, they left their careers and 401ks behind to embark on a new journey of showing up in the world, serving the community, and embracing the environment. The new video tells the story of how their path became clear, and they began combining a passion for growing mushrooms with their scientific expertise, to produce small-batch medicinal mushroom tinctures and powders.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Access to adequate mental health support and food will result in a healthier, more resilient Vermont. A 2021 study found hunger is associated with 257% higher risk of anxiety and a 253% higher risk of depression. Life during COVID-19 has only exacerbated these issues and made them even harder to manage. Since the pandemic began, 1 in 3 people have experienced hunger, and many also face unemployment and financial hardship. Hunger Free Vermont and COVID Support VT want you to know that there are a number of free resources available to help you put food on the table — and support your mental health.
by katie
Sponsored Content
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world more than any event in recent history, significantly impacting the health and well-being of the American workforce and the economy. As a result, the inextricable link between individual health and productivity, business performance, and economic prosperity is clear, and now is the time for employers to more actively engage and support the mental and physical health of employees.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today that COVID-19 cases fell to nearly half what they were yesterday, from 265 Sunday to 140 today. Cases spiked last Thursday to their fourth highest number on record. The four worst days for cases have all come since mid-September, as the Delta variant has taken over since early July. There has also been some uneven reporting of cases, resulting in peaks and troughs. However, there have been no COVID-related deaths reported since last Thursday.
by tim
by Mike Donoghue, Correspondent, Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont continues to battle with lawyers representing either EB-5 investors or criminal defendants over whether authorities were immediately transparent to the general public after learning about the multi-million fraud perpetuated in the Northeast Kingdom by Ariel Quiros, William Stenger and friends. Financial Regulation Commissioner Michael Pieciak said he rejects the separate feet-dragging claims made recently by Stenger’s criminal defense team and by a Stowe law firm that has filed a couple of civil lawsuits on behalf of defrauded investors.