Current News

​by Vermont Chamber Vice President of Tourism Amy Spear Have you ever picked crisp apples fresh from an orchard, been surrounded by bright red and orange mountains, or hiked through a towering corn maze? In Vermont, you can do all that and more on an ordinary fall day. This year, visitors can enjoy the season in a distinctly Vermont way – with activities and attractions that draw in people from around the globe.

Vermont Business Magazine Vaccine campaigns based on moral messaging or myth-busting aren’t more effective at improving parents’ attitudes toward vaccines and their kids than standard public health messages, according to a recent study using Vermont data. Throughout the pandemic, the state of Vermont has been one of the safest places. Still, not everyone opts to wear a mask. And Vermont is among the top-five best states to have a child in.

Vermont Business Magazine Under the leadership of Director Tyeastia Green, we reviewed the draft report over the last few days, and met yesterday with the CNA consultants to ask clarifying questions... We caution that this document is still a draft, and that there may be important clarifications to the final document. We note that the draft report’s recommendation for 76 to 83 “require(d)” officers does not equate to an “authorized cap.”

by Ethan Tapper Forests are complex, intricate and nuanced, and also massive, expansive and interconnected. To be responsible forest stewards we need to both zoom-out to understand our role in a giant landscape, and zoom-in to recognize the tiny pieces and parts that make forests work. We must (somehow) hold both of these realities in focus as we take care of our forests.

by Peter Sterling A recent piece by anti-renewable energy crusader Annette Smith asks, “Is Electrifying Everything a Climate Solution?” For those of us concerned about the changing climate’s increasing number of floods, wildfires, hurricanes and record-breaking temperatures the answer is YES! I can agree with Ms. Smith that “solutions cannot be all about technology and buying more stuff.” Reductions in overall energy use are key to solving the climate crisis. But continued energy use for transportation and heating and cooling our homes is inevitable.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders Wednesday issued the following statement after the Energy and Commerce Committee in the House of Representatives failed to include a critical provision allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices during a markup of reconciliation legislation.

Vermont Business Magazine UVM Medical Center today announced that Marissa Coleman, PsyD, has accepted the position as the organization’s first Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). A psychologist at UVM Medical Center since 2018 and a daughter of a Jamaican immigrant, Coleman has served as Senior DEI Advisor for the past year, and will begin in her new role on September 20. In addition to serving in this leadership role, she will continue to see a limited number of patients and supervise pre-doctoral psychology residents.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health on Wednesday reported 136 new cases of COVID-19 and one more death, which now stand at 292 statewide. There are 39 people hospitalized (down 4 from yesterday) and 10 in the ICU. State officials are urging local school districts to their guidance in order to keep kids in school, with mask wearing and an increased level of surveillance testing and contact tracing.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Donovan today joined 24 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in support of the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) challenge to Texas’ new unconstitutional six-week ban on abortions. The brief specifically supports DOJ’s motion for a preliminary injunction of the law, which went into effect earlier this month.

by Erin Sigrist This week is National Small Business Week! Even though we are fortunate in Vermont to hold small businesses in high esteem most every day, I believe this year it’s even more important to shine a light on these businesses and celebrate their hard work to sustain Vermonters throughout this pandemic. After all, some were shut down for 14 to 18 months. As a result, some have been forced to alter their operations and sadly we have lost some to permanent shut down. Those that remain today continue to find great challenge in hiring staff to operate the business to meet customer expectations, and yet other businesses have grown and expanded. How? Creativity. Grit. Forced Innovation.

Vermont Business Magazine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Schirling and Vermont State Police Director Col. Matthew T Birmingham are pleased to announce the hiring of the first director of mental health programs for the department. Mourning Fox, who has more than 25 years of experience in the mental-health field, including over four years as deputy commissioner of the Vermont Department of Mental Health, will help coordinate and oversee efforts at the 10 state police barracks throughout Vermont regarding the delivery of mental health services to people who come into contact with VSP.

Vermont Business Magazine On September 9, 2021, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced major enhancements to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Also, The SBA Vermont District Office hosts a free webinar at 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays about changes made to the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan. Topics include the increase from $500,000 to $2 million, deferred payments, expansion of eligible use of funds and more.