Current News
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Mike Smith, Secretary of the Agency of Human Services, announced today that Sarah Squirrell, Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health (DMH), and Cory Gustafson, Commissioner of the Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA), will resign from their positions effective July 1, 2021 and May 31, 2021, respectively.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Women may now join any combat arms unit in the Vermont Army National Guard, following authorization by National Guard Bureau. The Vermont Army National Guard is the first in the nation to open all combat arms units within its organization to the recruitment of women.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger announced that the City of Burlington received a $20,000 TD Green Space Grant from TD Bank Group (TD) and the Arbor Day Foundation to support innovative urban greening and tree planting projects in Burlington.
The City of Burlington plans to use the grant to plant 210 trees the Old North End. Burlington was one of 20 U.S. and Canadian cities selected to receive a grant.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State Colleges System Chancellor Sophie Zdatny released a statement today on the Vermont Senate’s proposal to support the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) with a total proposed appropriation of $88.9 million in the Fiscal Year 2022 State Budget.
Notably, the Senate and House are in agreement on major aspects of the VSCS budget, including:
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Earlier this week, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed bill S.60 into law. The new law provides cooperative and community-owned public power utilities with the ability to make minor adjustments to electric rates and provide customers with new, innovative services. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Ann Cummings, is the result of collaboration among electric utilities, state utility regulators, and Vermont legislators.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine An agreement between The University of Vermont and the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America, Local 267 (“UE”) has been ratified by the UE membership. The union represents over 330 service and maintenance workers at UVM. The three-year contract includes wage increases and a $15 minimum wage or so-called “wage floor.”
“The university greatly appreciates the contributions that its employees make, which are integral to UVM’s continued success,” said UVM President Suresh Garimella. “I am pleased that we were able build on the progress we have made toward ensuring that all employees earn a livable wage. The increase to a $15 per hour wage floor in this contract is an important milestone.”
by tim
Bill Would Make Green Mountain State the First in the Nation to Offer Breakfast to All School Children
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Senate on Thursday unanimously gave preliminary approval to a bill that would bring Universal School Breakfast to all Vermont schools by 2022. The bill (S.100) would make Vermont the first state in the nation to provide breakfast free of charge to all public school students every school day. The Senate is expected to give final approval to the bill on Friday, and then it will move to the House for consideration.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc, based in Rutland, on Thursday reported its financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021. They include: Revenues were $189.5 million for the quarter, up $6.6 million, or up 3.6%, from the same period in 2020; Overall solid waste pricing for the quarter was up 3.4%, driven by collection pricing, up 3.5%, and landfill pricing, up 3.5%, from the same period in 2020; Net income was $4.3 million for the quarter, up $3.3 million, or up 349.5%, from the same period in 2020.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, Association of Vermont Independent Colleges, and 14 Vermont colleges and universities are announcing the 2021 Choose Vermont Scholarship Program, which will award $70,000 in scholarship money to students who commit to attend a Vermont school by June 1. Both out-of-state and Vermont students are eligible to enter.
The program was developed through a partnership across Vermont’s higher education sector to market Vermont as a top destination for attending college. The campaign targets students already accepted to a Vermont school, encouraging them to take the next step and “Choose Vermont.”
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s food producers and retailers are, once again, partnering to bring delicious value-added foods to stores near you. As a result of COVID-19, many in-person events cancelled through 2021, the Vermont Specialty Food Association (VSFA) and the Vermont Retail and Grocers Association (VRGA) continue their virtual tastings series to promote Vermont brands to Vermont stores and wholesalers.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The COTS Walk is SUNDAY -- and with a forecast of 63 degrees and partly cloudy skies in the afternoon, it's the perfect weather for our 32nd Annual (2nd Annual Virtual) COTS Walk. The COTS Walk, presented by Rice Lumber, is the nonprofit's largest annual event and a critical fundraiser. This year's fundraising goal is $205,000. With just a few days left before COTS Walk Day, COTS is more than 60 percent of the way toward that fundraising goal.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Vaccine registration opened today to college students who are residents of another state and do not intend to stay in Vermont for the summer, as well as to people who live part of the year in Vermont. Vaccine appointments are also available across the state for all Vermonters 16 and older. Several COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Franklin and Grand Isle counties have many open appointments – starting as soon as this Saturday, May 1. The VDH today reported 98 new cases but no deaths from COVID-19, which are holding at 246.