Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Department of Health is reporting two more deaths for 279 statewide, with 145 cases, 29 hospitalized and 8 in the ICU. The VDH also reported this week the first death of someone in the 20-29 age range, but none younger than 20. There are three deaths in the 30-35 range. Deaths from COVID increase by age with the largest group, 80 and older, having by far the most fatalities with 148. However, most COVID-19 cases by far are in the 20-29 age range, with 5,706 of 28,542 total. The 18-29 age group has by far the lowest vaccination rate in the state (60.4 percent with at least one dose versus 81.9 percent overall).

Vermont Business Magazine Acting State Director for United States Department of Agriculture - Rural Development (RD) in Vermont, Cheryl Ducharme, today announced that funding in the state through the Rural Business Development Grant program (RBDG) totaled $1,990,562 in fiscal year 2021. RBDGs are designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses with fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenue. These investments are expected to create or save more than 650 jobs in rural Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Treasury Department announced on Wednesday that Evernorth Rural Ventures, a subsidiary of Burlington-based Evernorth, was awarded a $60 million allocation of New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) to continue its successful economic development work in low-income areas. Under the NMTC program, investors receive federal tax credits in exchange for making investments in eligible economic development projects. These business and real estate investments provide more favorable terms and conditions than the market typically offers.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University began the 2020 – 2021 academic year on Monday, Aug. 30, with 729 new students. First year students in the Corps of Cadets arrived on Sunday, Aug. 22, and new civilian students arrived on Tuesday, Aug. 24, for orientation. The Class of 2025 is comprised of 390 rooks (first year students in the Corps of Cadets) and 339 civilian students (both residential and commuter) coming from 44 states, which includes 57 new international students coming from 17 different countries.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott joined Town officials and the Lamoille Housing Partnership to celebrate the construction of 24 new units of mixed-income housing at the Village Center Apartments in Morrisville as well as announcing $13,258,021 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awards that have been made to 25 communities throughout Vermont. This funding through the Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP) will support a broad range of projects that will accelerate pandemic recovery, build more affordable housing and strengthen communities across the state.

by Dr John Brumsted, The University of Vermont Health Network These are unprecedented times for the UVM Health Network. After months of testing for, treating and vaccinating against COVID-19, we are seeing a new surge of cases from the highly contagious delta variant. In recent weeks, we’ve also experienced intense pressures related to abnormally high patient volumes and intense patient needs. Our patients come to us when they need us most, and long wait times for certain kinds of care are an added stress. The current situation is unacceptable to me on behalf of our patients and on behalf of our people, who continue to provide expert care while responding to every challenge.

by Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray A year and a half after the onset of the pandemic, Vermont remains in the midst of ongoing recovery efforts. While there is so much uncertainty about the future, one thing we can be sure of is that our state is in a unique position to emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever. Thanks to the hard work of our Congressional delegation, Vermont is set to receive $2.7 billion in federal aid through the American Rescue Plan as well as potential additional funds from the Build Back Better Agenda.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Family and Medical Leave Insurance Coalition (VT FaMLI), with support from Red Hen Baking Co. and Camp Meade of Middlesex, hosted over 80 people on Sunday, August 29th for “We Believe in Paid Leave” - A Celebration of Workers, Families, and Small Businesses. Participants came together to take direct action and lift up their voices to show their strong support for the passage of an equitable and robust national Paid Family and Medical Leave solution.

Vermont Business Magazine A recipient of one of the largest Shuttered Venue Operator Grants awarded in Vermont is scheduled to host its grand re-opening Thursday evening in Burlington. The Vermont Comedy Club, founded and owned by Nathan Hartswick and Natalie Miller in 2015, was awarded a $408,319.65 SVOG.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting one more death for 277 statewide, with 123 total COVID-19 cases, 29 hospitalized and 8 in the ICU. See COVID and vaccination dashboards below.

Testing finds seven new incarcerated positives at Northern State Correctional Facility, zero new staff

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Human Services (AHS) remains focused on increasing access to health care for Vermonters. Unifying providers, payers, and statewide stakeholders are critical components to achieving the goals of health care reform which include affordability, access, and quality of care.