Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today one more death from COVID-19 for a statewide total of 271. Cases remain elevated because of the Delta variant from early summer when they were below 10 on many days. The VDH also reported today that there were 120 additional cases with 35 people hospitalized with nine in the ICU.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont National Guard units deployed to US Central Command are currently serving in support of Operation Allies Refuge. A small contingent from the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) arrived in Kabul, Afghanistan earlier this month to support security operations at the Hamid Karzai International Airport.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and members of his administration came together today with local officials to recognize the 10-year anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene (which is Saturday, August 28) and highlight Vermont’s recovery from the storm. The press conference was held in the Town of Brandon, which the Administration noted is one example of a town that was impacted by Irene and has taken advantage of federal dollars earmarked to mitigate the impact of future storms. A media tour through town highlighted measures like better drainage through larger and more efficient culverts in its downtown, the purchase and removal of structures in areas of repetitive damage, and altered floodplains to better divert waters away from structures and public infrastructure.

​Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State Auditor Doug Hoffer today encouraged all Vermonters to utilize the health care price transparency tools that enable them to seek medical care at the best price and announced that he has put every Vermont hospital’s price estimator tool in one location on his State Auditor website. The Legislature required commercial health insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and MVP to provide detailed price information on their websites for their policyholders to utilize.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State Treasurer Beth Pearce announced today the appointment of Premila Peters to the Capital Debt Affordability Advisory Committee (CDAAC). Peters’ appointment began August 23, 2021. Peters is the current president of Data Innovations, a healthcare information technology company in Colchester. She holds an MBA from the University of Vermont and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Bombay, India.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department for Children and Families (DCF) announced today that over 5,300 children of families who are enrolled in the Reach Up program will receive extra back-to-school help this month thanks to federal Pandemic Emergency Assistance Funds. This one-time payment of $304 per child is in addition to monthly cash grants the families receive, and will help pay for costs related to going back to school and childcare.

by Don Turner Vermont’s permitting process is an absolute nightmare. Many permits still take months before they are processed. And the average waiting time—meaning many wait longer—for an Environmental Court appeal of an Act 250 permit is 375 days.

Vermont Specialty Food Association Do you love local Vermont-made products? The Vermont Specialty Food Association sure does. Here's your chance to win some of the best food and beverage in Vermont while helping producers expand their markets, create jobs and support the local landscape. From confections to pasta, coffee, to hot sauce, and so much more, we’ve put together ten phenomenal gift boxes stuffed with Vermont’s finest foods and beverages.

Vermont Business Magazine As school starts for many Vermont kids today, Vermont Federal Credit Union has partnered with NBC5 for the “Class Act” school supplies drive, which collected much needed school supplies in support of Vermont communities, students and teachers. Vermont Federal collected back-to-school items at all of its seven branches and hosted the first Stuff the Bus event at its newest branch in Essex. Donations included writing supplies (pencils, pens, highlighters, etc.), arts and crafts supplies (scissors, crayons, glue sticks, etc.), and other school gear (lunch boxes, backpacks, calculators, etc.).

Vermont Business Magazine The Town of Waterbury will be celebrating and commemorating a decade of resilience and transformation from August 26 – 28, 2021. Events will be taking place throughout the three days and everyone is invited to join in for any and all of the activities. The fun will begin on Thursday at the Waterbury Farmers Market and Concert in the Park with the well-known and lively WDEV Radio Rangers. A moment of recognition will be held for the 10-year anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene. On Friday, August 27, lower Stowe Street will be closed to traffic from 4 pm-7:30 pm and beginning at 4:30 pm, The Barn Band will provide live music.

​Vermont Business Magazine The fourth event in the series will focus on Vermonters who are direct-enrolled with their insurance company and how they might be able to save thousands of dollars by transferring their health plan to Vermont Health Connect. We’ll spotlight the August 31 deadline for a September start date (and immediate savings).

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott announced today 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. You can just walk-in or visit www.healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine to make an appointment. You can also call 855-722-7878. The vaccination sites listed below also offer additional doses for those currently eligible based on guidance issued last week by the CDC. The VDH is reporting today 106 new cases of COVD-19 and 34 hospitalized with 15 in the ICU. Deaths are unchanged at 270.