Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported today there were 233 new cases of COVID-19 as infections have surged over the last week to historic highs. The highest number of cases was 250 on March 25. However, there were no new deaths, which stand at 227. Nearly 210,000 adults (38.1% of population) have received at least one dose of vaccine. Meanwhile, Governor Scott announced yesterday that out-of-state college students and part-time residents would be eligible to sign up for a vaccine on April 30, as long as supplies last.

Vermont Business Magazine Based on the latest guidance from the State of Vermont, The University of Vermont Health Network is easing some visitor policy restrictions effective April 2 for fully vaccinated people in inpatient areas at its Vermont hospitals. Some restrictions will remain in place to protect the health and safety of patients and staff. Policies vary slightly by hospital, so visitors are encouraged to check first before visiting.

Vermont Business Magazine After more than a year of all of us dealing with this global pandemic, Vermont Business Magazine is proud to announce the 2021 Best of Business Awards (BOB Awards) winners. This awards program celebrates the best Vermont companies in more than 100 business-to-business categories. All of these businesses have been affected by the pandemic in one form or another and like us at VBM we are looking forward to the day when business and life in general can get back to some form of normalcy. Vermont businesses are very resilient and deserve to be recognized for their commitment to Vermont consumers.

Vermont Business Magazine Northern Vermont University (NVU) is thrilled to share that NVU Athletics raised $38,949—nearly 30% above its goal—during the second annual Support Your Sport Campaign. The campaign broke last year’s record, doubling both the dollars raised and the number of donors. While NVU is one university, each campus maintains its own teams and its own mascot. Like so many other universities, the Johnson Badgers and Lyndon Hornets haven’t been able to play typical seasons this year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, but the teams did compete in the fundraising arena.

University of Vermont Deans The president, provost, and other leaders at the University of Vermont (UVM) are asking us to imagine new possibilities and approaches for UVM. They are doing this because they want our university—and its students and graduates—to thrive for the years, decades, and centuries to come. And, they are doing it now because we are at a pivotal moment for higher education in this nation and around the world. We may disagree on the merits of some of the plans being proposed, but the commitment and an inclusive approach of our leadership is evident.

by Paul Costello Vermont’s pandemic recovery is a catalytic opportunity for creative renewal. How do we work together to revitalize Vermont? Where do our values, principles, culture and economy fit together as we search for common paths to a more resilient, prosperous and welcoming state? Almost universally Vermonters’ responses have been that we can’t just go ‘back to normal’ as we rebound from this crisis. The old normal, including loss of youth, opportunity gaps and economic doldrums need to be addressed.

Vermont Business Magazine In a unanimous final vote this afternoon, the Vermont Senate passed H.10, a bill that allows candidates to use campaign funds to cover the expense of dependent care while running for office. Having passed final reading in the House on March 17th, H.10 will now head to the Governor’s desk. The Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) supports this legislation as part of a larger suite of democratic reforms aimed at making Vermont elections more fair, functional, and accessible.

Vermont Business Magazine The real estate community in northwestern Vermont is once again coming together to support local food shelves. The Community Service Committee for the Northwestern Vermont Board of Realtors (NVBR) has launched its annual food drive. Due to the pandemic, the Committee has altered the fundraiser by foregoing the physical collection of food. Instead, the Committee is seeking donations from the NVBR members including Realtors® and businesses affiliated with the real estate community.

Vermont Business Magazine The VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, (VNAHSR), one of the state’s largest providers of skilled home health and hospice services, announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Sara C King as Chief Executive Officer she will replace Ron Cioffi, RN, CEO who is retiring in June. King will assume the leadership role as of April 5, 2021.

The Board of Directors, through an Executive Search Committee, began the search process in December and did a full review of the scope of responsibilities, and surveyed staff regarding leadership.

“Sara is a natural choice for this position,” said Dan DiBattista, President of the Board of Directors at VNAHSR. “With her 20-year background in home health care and her demonstrated skills as a leader, Sara is committed to advancing home-based care and hospice care in Bennington and Rutland Counties.”

Vermont Business Magazine April kicks off what is typically the three most active months of the year for tornadoes in the United States, and tornado territory extends well beyond the Great Plains, as recent outbreaks have made clear. A rare twister touched down in Addison County March 26. Only the second tornado ever recorded in Vermont in the month of March. The state is near the bottom of those region's hit by the storms.

Vermont Business Magazine Award-winning specialty food producer Stonewall Kitchen announced Wednesday its acquisition of Vermont Coffee Company based in Middlebury, Vermont. Vermont Coffee Company is the best-selling brand of bagged organic coffee in grocery stores across the Northeast. The company sources and blends high quality, certified organic arabica coffee from all of the leading coffee regions around the world, slow-roasting them in small batches to make coffees with big bold flavor. Vermont Coffee will remain in Middlebury and plans to open a new cafe later this year.

Vermont Business Magazine On March 29, 2021, the Public Utility Commission (Commission) issued an order extending the temporary moratorium of natural gas, electric, and traditional landline telephone service through May 31, 2021. Water service is presently covered by an involuntary disconnection moratorium, which will remain in effect for the duration of the state of emergency as declared by the governor, currently April 15, 2021. He is expected to extend it month-to-month for the foreseeable future.