Current News
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine The construction industry added 11,000 jobs between June and July but nonresidential construction employment remains far below pre-pandemic levels, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials said nonresidential construction has been affected by declining demand for projects, particularly for public infrastructure work, and urged Congress to quickly pass the new bipartisan infrastructure measure.
“Contractors are plagued by soaring materials costs, long or uncertain delivery times, and hesitancy by project owners to commit to construction,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Recovery has been especially slow in infrastructure construction.”
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine “As an academic health system, we rely on data, research and science to keep our patients healthy and save lives. The recent rise of COVID-19 cases in our region and across the country due to the highly contagious delta variant has made one thing crystal clear: vaccination is how we control the spread and hopefully end this pandemic. As a health care provider, our consistent message through the pandemic has been to get vaccinated to protect yourself and others, and it is imperative that we do the right thing to protect our patients, our communities and our employees.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement:
“I join Vermonters across the state in congratulating Franklin County’s Elle Purrier St. Pierre on her remarkable achievements in Tokyo, becoming an Olympic finalist.
“Elle showed the world what this Brave Little State is capable of, and she should be incredibly proud of what she’s accomplished. Vermonters are eagerly awaiting her return home so we can celebrate her success on the world stage and thank her for inspiring us.”
Source: Governor 8.6.2021. Montpelier www.vermont.gov
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont has reinstated an indoor mask requirement for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors on campus.
“We will continue to monitor the rate of COVID-19 cases on campus, in Vermont, and across the region and will adjust this requirement if conditions warrant,” noted Patricia A. Prelock, Provost and Senior Vice President and Gary Derr, Vice President for Operations and Public Safety, in a message to the campus community.
The new guidance was developed in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Vermont Department of Health (VDH), and the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA).
Vaccination
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor is reminding claimants the federal expansion of unemployment insurance benefits created under the CARES Act will end September 6, 2021. This includes Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). The Department will be increasing outreach and assistance to help claimants transition into the workforce or find training or educational opportunities.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced a series of new walk-in vaccination clinics that will be open at schools across Vermont next week. You can either walk-in, or you can also visit healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine to guarantee your spot by making an appointment online or by phone.
“As the school year approaches, we want as many eligible Vermont students as possible to get vaccinated,” said Governor Scott. “That’s why we’re setting up more school-based vaccine clinics for students and their families. These clinics are open, not only to our students, but to anyone who needs to get their shot.”
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine US Route 2 at the temporary drawbridge is open to two lanes of traffic. The contractor is working from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Saturday. The temporary bridge has a speed limit of 25 mph. There are tight curves approaching the temporary bridge, and trucks are advised to reduce speed to 15 mph. Bicycles should use caution while crossing the bridge. The work zone speed limit is enforced, and individuals have been ticketed for excessive speeding. Obeying the speed limit is extremely important for everyone's safety.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine The investigation is continuing Thursday night by the Vermont State Police into the fatal officer-involved shooting by a member of the Hartford Police Department that occurred earlier in the day.
The deceased subject is a white man believed to be in his 30s. The names of those involved will be released as the investigation progresses.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Currently, nearly 1 in 5 teens are vaping and close to 1 in 4 teens are using at least one tobacco product – becoming the next generation addicted to tobacco. In Vermont , our high school tobacco use rates are an alarming 28.2%. We are proud to share that today, Thursday, August 5, 2021, the American Lung Association announced the Vape-Free Schools Scholarship Fund, a new effort to fund schools’ implementation of the Vape-Free Schools Initiative so that more kids can access cessation, support and education.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) issued decisions Thursday requiring Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) and MVP Health Plan, Inc. (MVP) to lower the premiums they sought to charge individuals and families for health insurance in 2022. BCBSVT requested a 7.9% average annual rate increase for its plans, which it lowered to 5.0% based on the recommendations of the GMCB’s actuaries and then increased to 5.2% following the submission of Vermont hospitals’ 2022 budgets.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Department of Corrections (Vermont DOC) is reporting three staff members tested positive for COVID-19 during surveillance testing conducted August 3: two at Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility (CRCF) in South Burlington and one at Northeast Correctional Complex (NECC) in St. Johnsbury.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Venture 7 Advisors, a Burlington-based merger and acquisition advisory firm, announced the successful sale of Vermont Cookie Love®, the popular bakery and creemee ice cream company, to a private party. Vermont Cookie Love®, which operates out of the “Love Shack” on Route 7 in North Ferrisburgh, is known for its line of all-natural cookies and scones. The details of the transaction were not disclosed.