Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont boasts the highest percentage of "equity-rich" properties (51.5 percent) in the United States and is also among the states that gained the most over the last quarter. ATTOM Data Solutions today released its first-quarter 2021 US Home Equity & Underwater Report, which shows that 17.8 million residential properties in the United States were considered equity-rich, meaning the mortgage was 50 percent or less of the estimated market value. The count of equity-rich properties in the first quarter of 2021 represented 31.9 percent, or about one in three, of the 55.8 million mortgaged homes in the US.

Vermont Business Magazine iSun, Inc, a solar energy and clean mobility infrastructure company based in Williston, has announced that its Board of Directors has determined to postpone and reschedule the 2020 and 2021 Annual Meetings of Stockholders which were scheduled to be held on May 11, 2021, due to delays in the process of printing and mailing the proxy materials to the Stockholders on a timely basis. The 2020 and 2021 Annual Meetings of Stockholders will now be held on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, beginning at 1 pm.

Vermont Business Magazine The Preservation Trust of Vermont (PTV) is soliciting proposals from individuals, organizations, and businesses interested in acquiring 52 Main Street, Proctor, VT, home of the Vermont Marble Museum. PTV acquired 52 Main Street in 2014 as part of an effort to preserve and protect the collections of the Vermont Marble Museum when they went up for sale by the previous owner. PTV has since stabilized the building and now plans to transfer ownership to the next steward of this remarkable property.

Vermont Business Magazine The national average price of gasoline today has passed the $3 per gallon mark, according to GasBuddy, the travel and navigation app used by more North American drivers to save money on gas. This is a milestone not seen since David Letterman still hosted Late Night, Pharrell’s hat was introduced to the world, and Kim and Kanye got hitched. Meanwhile, Vermont gasoline prices increased 6 cents since last week to $2.89. Vermont gas prices have been slightly under the US average for several months.

Vermont Business Magazine Citing opposition from environmental groups and the public, Lake Champlain Transportation Company and Vermont Division for Historic Preservation announced on Tuesday the withdrawal of its application for a permit to sink the Adirondack, a retired ferry, in Lake Champlain. Instead of being abandoned underwater to create an artificial reef for scuba divers, the vessel will be scrapped.

Vermont Business Magazine Vaccination registration will open to Vermonters ages 12 to 15 on Thursday morning, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s action late Wednesday authorizing use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for this age group. The Food & Drug Administration authorized this emergency use of the vaccine earlier this week. On Wednesday, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices overwhelmingly recommended, and the CDC approved, this use of the vaccine, based on clinical trial data that found it to be safe and effective. Meanwhile, the VDH is reporting 28 new cases of COVID-19 and one more death for 252 total statewide.

Vermont Business Magazine Taking advantage of the enhanced subsidies available to individuals under ARPA, the Vermont Legislature has “unmerged” the individual and small group markets for 2022. Unmerging the individual and small group markets is expected to lower small group premiums and increase individual premiums from what they otherwise would have been, with the enhanced subsidies offsetting the increased premiums in the individual market. These changes will not impact how individuals, families, and small businesses purchase health insurance plans. For small group, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) is requesting an average annual decrease of 7.8% over 2021 rates, while MVP Health Plan (MVP) is requesting an average annual increase of 5.0% over 2021 rates.

Vermont Business Magazine Thirteen Vermont organizations will receive grants to support the arts, accessibility and innovation from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). In addition, the Vermont Arts Council has been approved for an $807,740 NEA FY2021 partnership agreement to address arts programs, services and activities throughout Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Community Foundation announced that its charitable giving hit an all-time high in 2020. Powered by Vermonters who stepped up to help vulnerable neighbors during the pandemic, the Community Foundation, its fundholders, and charitable partners made $31.9 million in grants, more than 90 percent of which went directly into Vermont communities. This represents a 24 percent increase from 2019 and more than a 70 percent increase from 2018 grantmaking.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that J.A. DeVos & Sons, Inc of North Ferrisburgh was fined $9,000 for delivering gasoline without ensuring proper gasoline vapor recovery. In October 2019, DeVos made a fuel delivery to a gas station in downtown Montpelier. DEC personnel responded later that day to a complaint of gasoline odors inside the neighboring Capitol Plaza Hotel. When contacted about the fuel delivery, the employee indicated that they had failed to use proper vapor recovery methods while filling the gasoline storage tank.

Vermont Business Magazine As part of the state’s increasing efforts to encourage people to get their COVID-19 vaccine, the Health Department has launched a new outreach series featuring Vermonters sharing what getting vaccinated means to them. The new series can be viewed now on the department’s YouTube channel, and will be promoted widely – including on television, streaming services, radio, social media and more. These Vermonters’ words are also being featured in print ads in newspapers across the state.

Vermont Business Magazine The College's 2021 Commencement will take place this coming Thursday, May 13, on the Durick Library Lawn. Saint Michael’s is pleased to be able to celebrate its 114th Commencement in person and with guests. These plans were announced to students on April 14 as a result of changes the State of Vermont has made in its health and safety guidelines. To comply with all State health and safety guidelines, the events will be outdoors and divided into two ceremonies held at the same location, at 10 am for BA degrees and 1 pm for BS and graduate degrees..