Current News

by David Martins, Director of the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition “Out of storm and manifold perils rose an enduring state, the home of freedom and unity.” These words are the epitaph printed on the gravestone of the first Governor of Vermont, Thomas Chittenden. The phrase serves as an acknowledgement of the determination and resolve that motivated the first Vermonters during the formative years of our state. Time and again this commitment to leave no Vermonter behind has been recognized and celebrated as a defining characteristic of our state. It is that same spirit that continues to drive Vermonters today, and inspires our commitment to legislation that addresses rental housing safety. Too many Vermonters are being left behind.

Vermont Business Magazine On October 10th , Vermonters will join others across the world to recognize World Mental Health Day, designed to enhance awareness, reduce stigma, highlight services, and promote advancements in mental health. The event is drawing special interest this year, as the pandemic has highlighted that mental health is fundamental to well-being and the need for services is great.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Army National Guard will begin public tours of Camp Ethan Allen Training Site on Oct. 22. Those interested in participating in the public tour can find more information, including registration details, at www.vtguard.com/CEATS. The tour will include an overview of the Vermont Army National Guard organization and capabilities, a visit to the construction site of a new Army Mountain Warfare School and a stop at the renowned biathlon course.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation is inviting Vermont elementary schools to name the state’s big orange snowplows. The Agency received many inquiries from the public last winter about whether it would consider naming its snowplows. The new Name a Plow program offers an opportunity for children to put on their thinking caps and come up with creative names for AOT’s snowplows. The fleet has 250 full-size plows, and the Agency will aim to match every participating school with a truck.

Vermont Business Magazine Union Bank announced Thursday the opening of its newest full-service branch located in Shelburne Village at 5068 Shelburne Rd. (formerly a Citizens Bank branch location). Although national banks service the community, Union Bank is now the sole Vermont-domiciled bank located in Shelburne Village and is the leading bank for mortgages in the state.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported 283 COVID-19 cases (down four from Thursday) and four additional deaths for 332 statewide. This is the second consecutive day with cases near 300. There were 32 people hospitalized (down three) with eight in the ICU (down one). Cases and fatalities remain high in the southern four counties. Bennington County has had seven deaths in the last 14 days and Rutland County has had 377 cases during that time. Orleans County also has had elevated case counts, but no deaths in the last two weeks.

Vermont Business Magazine Mike Smith, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Human Services, announced today that Governor Phil Scott is appointing Nicholas (Nick) J Deml as the new Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Corrections (Vermont DOC). Deml will fill the role currently occupied by Interim Commissioner Jim Baker, who took the Vermont DOC leadership position in January 2020. At the time, Commissioner Baker was planning to serve in the role for just 90 days.

Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday night, an incident occurred during a Girl’s volleyball game between South Burlington (SBHS) and Burlington High Schools (BHS) in which racial and transphobic slurs were directed toward Burlington players. The referee was alerted of the incident and stopped play of the match to speak with the coaches and players. After confirming with coaches, it was determined that significant harm was done and the decision was made to stop the match, with Burlington coaches helping their players leave the court.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims continue to hold at typical pre-pandemic summer levels, with very little fluctuation, even as we get into October. For the week of October 2, there were 333 claims, down 31 for the week and 273 fewer than this time last year. The state unemployment rate is also near its low pre-pandemic levels (3.0 percent August). For new and continuing claims, as of last week there were a total of 3,218 claims, down 244 from the week before and 15,064 fewer than last year. So far, the now-expired FPUC programs have not had a noticeable effect on the labor situation in Vermont, which remains exceedingly tight. However, nationally there appears to be some growth in the first week of October, after a dismal month of September report.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced that one of the most distinguished public servants in Vermont history, Agency of Administration Secretary Susanne Young, will be retiring next month after more than 40 years of service to the State of Vermont. Among other positions, Secretary Young has served the state as deputy treasurer and legal counsel to Governor Jim Douglas, deputy attorney general to Attorney General Bill Sorrell, and now secretary of the Agency of Administration.

Vermont Business Magazine Darn Tough Vermont, now the number one premium sock brand in the outdoor space, held a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday for neighbors, partners and friends of the brand to celebrate the opening of its new knitting facility in Waterbury. The facility has started producing its first socks, and is slated to be fully up-and-running in the first quarter of 2022. With 30,000 square feet of space customized on the mezzanine in Waterbury, Darn Tough will increase their capacity by over 35 percent.

Vermont Business Magazine No one knows better than healthcare professionals that the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic are far from over, but for University of Vermont medical students in the Class of 2025, there is a silver lining amidst the havoc wreaked by the Delta variant: They will have loved ones present when they receive their first white doctors’ coats. The UVM Larner College of Medicine is holding a traditional, in-person White Coat Ceremony on Friday, October 8, at 1 p.m. in UVM’s Ira Allen Chapel.