Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University has earned its six-year accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for three bachelor of science programs in the David Crawford School of Engineering: civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering and mechanical engineering. The approval follows a yearlong self-study and outside review process, which was completed in 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine On Thursday, September 23rd at 5:30pm, the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce will dedicate the Chamber Memorial Park and invite the community to join. The Park, built through a donation in 2019 by Art and Kathy Whitman, replaced a dilapidated Welcome Kiosk and overgrown garden in front and on the side of the Chamber of Commerce at 100 Veterans Memorial Drive in Bennington, Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Department of Corrections (Vermont DOC) is reporting one COVID-positive staff member at Northern State Correctional Facility (NSCF) in Newport. This case was found in the fourth round of facility-wide outbreak testing conducted September 16; all other results were negative. Contact tracing showed no risk to other staff or the incarcerated population, and the facility is now in standard modified operations.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported 129 new cases of COVID-19 (90 Monday). While many regions of the country and world experienced a sharp increase and sharp decline of Delta variant cases in a 7-9 week window, Vermont is now into its 10th week and has shown a slower ascent and still no plateau in new cases. The VDH also reported today three more deaths, which now stand at 301 statewide. There are 48 people hospitalized (up two from yesterday) and 19 in the ICU (up five).

Vermont Business Magazine A recently published case study by researchers at the Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy focused on the positive outcomes for Blue Cross members participating in an innovative program to improve treatment options for patients struggling with opioid use for musculoskeletal pain conditions.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Intellectual Property Subcommittee, on Tuesday introduced a pair of bipartisan bills aimed at improving the participation of Americans from all backgrounds in the patent system and ensuring that the public knows the true owners of patents.

Vermont Business Magazine The Montpelier Development Corporation (MDC) announces the launch of the “Montpelier Grows” grant, an exciting new program to recruit and/or support high-impact businesses to Montpelier. MDC will provide grants of significant amounts to businesses that commit to make Montpelier home, and those that plan to grow within Montpelier’s City limits. The objective of this grant program is to drive economic growth now and in the future, stimulate commerce, and enhance employment opportunities in Montpelier.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced a series of walk-in vaccination clinics that will be open at schools and other sites across Vermont this week for anyone age 12 or older. Just walk-in or visit www.healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine to make an appointment. You can also call 855-722-7878.

Vermont Business Magazine Today the Board of Trustees of the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) received the name recommendation for the new institution unifying Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College. The recommended name is Vermont State University. The VSCS is seeking public comment on the name in advance of the Board decision on Wednesday, September 29.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) Tuesday joined a rally with People’s Action at the headquarters of the pharmaceutical industry’s DC lobbying operation to protest the drug companies' relentless pursuit of profits at the expense of everyday people and their fierce opposition to the budget reconciliation bill that will lower the costs of prescription drugs.

by Lori Fisher, LCC Executive Director The state of Vermont is developing its Climate Action Plan and drafters need your input to produce a forward-thinking guidance document that addresses the climate emergency. Seven events to gain public comments will be held throughout the state beginning Tuesday and running through early October.

Vermont Business Magazine The Associated General Contractors of America named the Associated General Contractors of Vermont (AGC/VT) as the winner of the Small Chapter of the Year. The award was presented at the 2021 National and Chapter Leadership Conference on Sunday, September 19 in Orlando, Florida. AGC/VT is the largest construction trade organization in Vermont representing more than 170 general contractors, equipment and material suppliers, insurance companies, technology companies, bonding firms, legal firms, financial institutions, consultants, and other construction industry professionals throughout Vermont.