Current News

Vermont Research News Windham and Bennington counties rank among the 10 least religiously affiliated counties in America, according to a 2020 census conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute. Researchers found 45% of Windham and 44% of Bennington county residents identify as “religiously unaffiliated.” According to a recent Vermont-based study, women, those with a college degree or higher, and parents with children were more likely to purchase food with organic labels. A recent study from the Cato Institute examines impacts on tax revenue, crime, the economy and public health finding that there is not enough data yet to make conclusive claims about the impact of cannabis legalization.

Statement by Attorney General TJ Donovan on Koffee Kup Decision Regarding Paid Time Off (PTO) for Former Employees

I am very pleased with the decision by Chittenden Superior Court today (Wednesday) that the outstanding vacation time and paid time off (PTO) of the terminated workers at Koffee Kup Bakery and Vermont Bread Company amounts to wages that must be paid. These hardworking Vermonters are entitled to these funds rightfully earned.

In addition, I am pleased that the Court ordered payment of interest for these funds, which were rightfully owed to employees given the significant delay in payment.

In total, Koffee Kup and Vermont Bread Company workers will be receiving collectively more than $800,000 in PTO, plus $16,437 in interest.

Attorney General. 7.14.2021

Vermont Business Magazine Shelburne Museum will be fully powered by renewable energy when two new arrays constructed on museum property come online later this year. Construction of the first phase of the project, a 500-kilowatt array on land adjacent to the museum campus, was completed in December 2020. The second phase, a separate, smaller 150kW array, south of the museum campus, is under construction and scheduled to be complete in the fall. The museum partnered with Encore Renewable Energy of Burlington, Vermont, on the development, financing and construction of both solar projects.

Vermont Business Magazine In order to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment at the Fair Market Rent in Vermont, full-time workers need to earn $23.68 an hour, or $49,258 annually. This is Vermont’s 2021 Housing Wage, revealed in a national report released today. The report, Out of Reach, was released jointly by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a research and advocacy organization dedicated solely to achieving affordable and decent homes for the lowest income people, and the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition.

Vermont Business Magazine According to union leadership, an overwhelming majority of union members voted to authorize union leaders to call a strike at Consolidated Communications. The unions have been in negotiations with the company since March and have yet to reach an agreement. The contracts of over 1,000 union employees in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont expire on August 7. A strike authorization vote is a necessary precursor to a work stoppage, but does not require the union members to actually go on strike. Such a decision could be made later by union leaders.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE), the innovative COVID-19 response program that provides meal assistance to Vermonters in need while supporting local restaurants, farmers and food producers, has received an extension to continue programming. Program managers had previously anticipated that the program would end on June 30, but the state has extended the program contract recognizing that many Vermonters continue to face exacerbated food insecurity due to the COVID-19 economic crisis. The program is now expected to continue through September.

Vermont Business Magazine The late, great Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige is known for the quote, “Don’t look back; something might be gaining on you.” Noted futurist Brian Solis shares that belief, especially as it pertains to businesses and their need to look forward, not back.

That is especially the case here in the post-pandemic world, according to Solis, who maintains that businesses should not be yearning for a return to the old normal but rather must adapt to the changed behaviors of consumers in what he calls the “novel economy” — as in the novel coronavirus.

“There’s no need to try to look to the past to see what we did when (instead) you have an opportunity to explore what you could do differently or what you should have been doing differently,” said Solis, who holds the title of global innovation evangelist at cloud computing giant Salesforce.com.

Vermont Business Magazine The Small Business Administration is still accepting applications for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. Eligible entities may be live venues, promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organizations, museums, movie theaters, and talent representatives.

The Vermont Republican Party have unanimously approved a resolution at its state committee meeting on July 10 to oppose vaccine passports in Vermont. The resolution comes in response to concerns over medical privacy and individual rights as described in the 4th amendment to the US constitution. Nationally, liberal thought leaders, such as Naomi Wolf, have expressed concerns about such proposals to identify vaccinated persons versus those who are not. However, some Vermont Democratic lawmakers have suggested that persons entering the Vermont statehouse must show proof of vaccination for the upcoming session in 2022.

by Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos This month we celebrated the birth of our nation. Since its inception, American democracy has undergone continual transformation. Over the last 245 years many activists and advocates have fought tirelessly to expand the franchise that our democratic ideals depend on: the right to vote.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott will meet with President Biden, Vice President Harris, the Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Labor and a small bipartisan group of governors and mayors today at the White House to discuss the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework and the importance of making critical infrastructure investments.

Vermont Business Magazine Healthy Living Market and Café has partnered with Spectrum Youth and Family Services to provide a new sign for its service center, Detail Works. A Spectrum enterprise doubling as an automotive detailer, Detail Works was created to help young adults build the soft skills needed to thrive in a workplace environment. Spectrum Youth and Family Services aids young adults and their families with services that make and sustain positive changes.