Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Snelling Center for Government announced today the graduates of the Vermont Leadership Institute Class of 2021. After a very unique year characterized by masks and Zoom tiles and a mix of in-person and remote sessions, the Vermont Leadership Institute (VLI) Class of 2021 celebrated their journey at a Commencement Ceremony held on June 5th at Basin Harbor in Vergennes. As the 26th class of the Vermont Leadership Institute, the Class of 2021 spent the past nine months delving into topics such as personal leadership adaptation; complex systems thinking and innovation; and leadership paradigms that support diversity, equity, and inclusion for all Vermonters.

​Vermont Business Magazine The National Life Group Foundation has awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to almost 150 organizations in northern Vermont and north Dallas, Texas, the communities where its primary offices are located. The general grants are in addition to other rounds of funding that the Foundation has already approved, including $609,000 that was awarded to hundreds of nonprofits chosen by employees and retirees and matched by the Foundation.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced the planned reopening of satellite offices in Dummerston, St Johnsbury, and St Albans in early August. The DMV operates six permanent branch offices that are located in Montpelier, Rutland, Newport, Springfield, Bennington, and South Burlington. Branch offices are open Monday through Friday and have been open throughout most of the pandemic, by appointment only. Those offices will continue in-person services by appointment as the system has proven to be more accommodating for customers and has eliminated the busy waiting room and long wait times.

Vermont Business Magazine Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $307 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 34 states and Puerto Rico. As part of today’s announcement, USDA in Vermont is investing $5.53 million ($3.78M loan, $1.75 grant) to rehabilitate the town of Brandon’s wastewater treatment facility.

Vermont Business Magazine Business Resource Services (BRS) announced today that two out of three companies covered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont’s Blue Edge Business (BEB) health plans have earned money back on their 2020 premiums. BEB health plans are available to Vermont businesses with as few as five enrolled employees.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont PBS today announced the continuation of its highly successful partnership with the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) to provide curriculum support to Vermont schools. Since April of 2020, Vermont PBS has partnered with AOE to sustain and enhance learning for PreK-12 students with support from the Vermont Department of Libraries (VDL). Recently the AOE allocated $50,000 of federal relief funds to provide literacy and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Learning Kits to children and youth in summer programs.

Vermont Business Magazine At a VMEC Board meeting held on April 13, Assistant Director Patricia Giavara received a unanimous vote of approval to succeed Bob Zider, who had been with the Center over its 25+ year existence as Director & CEO. She was appointed to the position of Interim Director & CEO effective July 1, 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine Camping World Holdings, Inc (NYSE: CWH), America’s Recreation Dealer, today announced a land acquisition agreement for TC’s RV dealership in St. Albans City, VT. The acquisition is anticipated to close later this summer. The property will undergo a full renovation and expansion with an anticipated opening in mid to late 2022. This location will be the retailer’s first facility in the state of Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Land O’Lakes, Inc, the parent company of Vermont Creamery, located in Websterville, VT, has donated nearly 40,000 pounds of Macaroni & Cheese to the Vermont Foodbank through the Land O’Lakes First Run Program. The First Run Program has donated more than 6 million pounds of product since it was established in 2010. The program is committed to donating truckloads of fresh product year-round, made specifically for food banks to help alleviate hunger across the United States.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor is reminding Vermonters to remain aware of attempts to steal personal information to commit unemployment insurance fraud. Coordinated attacks launched by scammers continue to be prevalent. Recently, the Department of labor has received reports of fraudulent text messages, which ask individuals to ‘Review your claim’ or ‘Verify your account.'

Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday, July 7, Representative Peter Welch will be at the Fairbanks Museum to lend his support to the Fairbanks Museum’s planned Tang Science Annex. The 6,000-square-foot addition provides space for hands-on science exhibits, makes the Museum accessible, and will be the future home of the Community College of Vermont’s St Johnsbury site. Additionally, the Science Annex, as Vermont’s demonstration mass timber building, is designed to showcase the innovative use of local forest products.

Vermont Business Magazine Per last week’s announcement, the Department of Vermont Health Access has completed system changes that implement key provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act [Anchor] . Now, more than $25 million in new federal dollars are available to Vermonters who buy health plans through the state’s health insurance marketplace, Vermont Health Connect. Staff from the Department of Vermont Health Access are hosting a series of Health Insurance Town Halls this summer to help Vermonters take full advantage of the new funds. The first is Wednesday, July 7, at noon.