Current News

by John McClaughry A bill making its way through the Vermont legislature offers yet another example of government’s steady march toward regulating more of our economy and our lives. The bill (H157) aims to establish state control over contractors who do residential construction. The bill’s lead sponsor is Rep. Scott Campbell (D-St Johnsbury). On April 6 the House advanced the bill on a vote of 97 to 52 and sent it to the Senate.

Vermont Business Magazine In an effort to reduce prescription drug misuse and related overdose deaths, community partners will team up with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and with assistance from the St Johnsbury Police Department and the Caledonia Sheriff, to host a Take-Back Day from 10 am – 2 pm on April 24 at two local sites: the Caledonia County Sheriff Department (970 Memorial Dr, St Johnsbury) and the St Johnsbury Police Department (1187 Main St #1, St Johnsbury).

Vermont Business Magazine 7–Eleven, Inc, the premier name in convenience-retailing, will collect and donate non-perishable food items during the month of April for local communities throughout the Northeastern United States. 7-Eleven is encouraging customers in the participating states to donate shelf-stable food items to their local participating 7-Eleven store. Donations will be divided between five Feeding America member food banks in the Northeast.

Vermont Business Magazine SaVida Health, a leader in outpatient medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder, is opening a new treatment center in Brattleboro. SaVida offers comprehensive, evidenced based services designed to meet a person's unique needs. In addition to prescribing FDA-approved medications like Suboxone and Vivitrol during scheduled weekly, biweekly or monthly visits, SaVida's licensed professionals also offer psych med management, counseling, and case management.

​Vermont Business Magazine Three teams of Dartmouth researchers have been selected to receive the first awards from the Dartmouth Innovations Accelerator for Cancer. A philanthropy-funded initiative, the Accelerator was launched in 2020 by Norris Cotton Cancer Center and the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship to bring new cancer treatments to patients more quickly. So far, it has raised $3.3 million in philanthropic gifts and seeks to hit $5 million by June.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), announces the winners of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Patients nominate nurses, and a committee presents one award each month.

Vermont Business Magazine The Best Western Plus Waterbury-Stowe of Waterbury has received the Red Vest Accessible designation in recognition of its efforts to offer a welcoming, accessible facility for those with a disability, its commitment to public access rights for legitimate Service Dog teams as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and its ability to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of ADA regulations. The designation was presented by NEADS World Class Service Dogs, a leading, nationally recognized Service Dog organization.

Vermont Business Magazine The Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) and Evernorth announced today that the Woolson Block in downtown Springfield is fully occupied. The renovations returned the historic property to its prominent origins and will contribute to the economic vitality of downtown Springfield. The Woolson Block is a three-story Italianate-style brick building, built in 1868 by the president of a Springfield machine tool company and woolen mill.

Vermont Business Magazine Every Vermont adult 16 years and up can now register to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Already 52 percent of the state's adult population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. The VDH also is reporting today that there have been no COVID-related deaths since last week, which are holding at 242. There were 93 cases of the novel coronavirus reported today.

Vermont Business Magazine The SBA announced key details Saturday about application requirements, eligibility and a program guide for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The restaurant industry has been among the hardest-hit sectors during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Plan established the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The SBA will administer the funds to the hardest-hit small restaurants. RRF will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding if funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police is investigating the deaths of two individuals whose bodies were found in Lewis Creek in Charlotte on Monday afternoon, April 19, 2021. The bodies were discovered around 12:30 p.m. in the creek near Spear Street and Lewis Creek Road. A child was found alive nearby.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Tax revenue collections for the month of March 2021 once again have exceeded projections for all major funds. The State’s General Fund, Transportation Fund, and Education Fund receipts were a combined $60.81 million, or 39 percent above monthly consensus expectations. State officials attribute the robust results to both some tax filing changes, which have pushed out refunds, and, mostly, to economic gains led by federal stimulus and consumer confidence. While led by the personal income tax and its whopping 129.2 percent increase ($31.8 million), all categories, but for a few minor ones, were above projections for the month.