Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Department of Corrections (Vermont DOC) is reporting seven new positive cases of COVID-19. The one incarcerated individual at NSCF lives in a general population unit where a currently COVID-positive staff member worked. They, along with three other symptomatic individuals in the unit, have been moved to isolation and the remainder of the unit is now quarantined. The three individuals were tested on August 25; results are pending. Staff and incarcerated individuals will be tested on August 27.

Vermont Business Magazine Union Bankshares, Inc (NASDAQ - UNB) in Morrisville, and parent company of Union Bank,has completed a private placement of $16.5 million in aggregate principal amount of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031 to certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors. The notes will initially bear interest at 3.25% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears. Beginning September 1, 2026, through the maturity date or earlier redemption, the interest rate will reset quarterly based on the then current Three-Month Term SOFR plus 263 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today two more deaths from COVID-19 for a statewide total of 273. Cases remain elevated because of the Delta variant. At the beginning of the summer cases were running below 10 on many days with no deaths and few hospitalized. The VDH also reported today that there were 141 additional cases with 33 people hospitalized and eight in the ICU.

​Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) is distributing $5 million to Vermont adult day centers to provide financial stability after an extended shut down due to COVID-19. This investment is made with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State Fiscal Recovery fund, allocated by the Legislature in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington-based DealerPolicy, the leading insurance marketplace for automotive retail, today announced its $110 million Series C investment led by the Growth Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management (Goldman Sachs) with participation from existing investors including 3L Capital and Hudson Structured Capital Management Ltd. (doing its re/insurance business as HSCM Bermuda). The new investment will be used to accelerate the growth of the company's next-generation finance and insurance (F&I) offerings for both dealers and car buyers.

Vermont Business Magazine The northern New England law firm Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC (DRM) has received top rankings from Chambers USA 2021, a leading independent evaluator of US lawyers. Chambers named each of DRM’s Corporate/Commercial, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, and Commercial Litigation practices as the highest ranked practices in Vermont. DRM’s Real Estate practice also received accolades for its broad range of expertise.

Vermont Business Magazine Vail Resorts today announced the opening dates of its 34 North American resorts, including the three in Vermont. Mt Snow and Stowe Mountain resorts are scheduled to open Friday, November 19, with Okemo opening the following day. All Vail resort openings are listed below. Vail said in a statement that it is offering guests one of the longest ski seasons in the country with a focus on safety and the guest experience.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, two organizations that exist to serve Addison County residents joined forces, with the shared goal of delivering fiber optic broadband internet access to every address in Maple Broadband’s member towns. Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom offers its extensive technical and management experience to the effort. Maple Broadband is one of the state’s relatively new Communications Union Districts.

Vermont State Police Following initial investigation, the Vermont State Police is releasing preliminary information regarding Wednesday afternoon’s fatal officer-involved shooting in Rutland. The deceased is a 33-year-old man. More information about his identity will be released following additional investigation and notification of next of kin. The man was fatally shot by a Rutland City Police Department officer inside the McDonald’s restaurant on US Route 7 just south of the intersection with Allen Street shortly before 3 pm Wednesday.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Electric Department (BED) issued a peak alert for today/Thursday, August 26 as part of its Defeat the Peak program launched during summer 2017, encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage from 5-8 pm today, including: Raise thermostat temperatures or turn off air conditioners; Wait until after 8 pm or later to use appliances; Avoid charging electric vehicles until later.

Vermont Business Magazine The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) is releasing a request for proposal that allows non-profit organizations or for-profit organizations (hereafter referred to as applicants) to apply for contracts in specific service area(s), identified by the Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB). Funding of multi-year projects is contingent on future state budget allocations, in addition to funding decisions of the Working Lands Enterprise Board. Proposals can focus on one service area (or apply to both in same proposal) for FY2022 proposals.

Vermont Business Magazine iSun, Inc (NASDAQ: ISUN), a leading solar energy and clean mobility infrastructure company based in South Burlington announced Tuesday that it has been awarded a portfolio of projects for Engineering, Procurement and Construction (“EPC”) services in the state of New Hampshire. iSun estimates that the five-project, $7.2 million portfolio will have a combined contract value exceeding $7.2 million with four projects commencing prior to the end of 2021.