Current News

Vermont Business Magazine In Vermont, where the Secretary of State mailed ballots to every registered voter, 73% of eligible voters voted, shattering previous records, and 75% of those voted absentee. From same day registration to early voting, our state has a strong track record of making it easier for people to vote. I'm proud that the Senate is contributing to that legacy by making mail-in voting the rule for general elections from now on.

Vermont Business Magazine A new program at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) provides caesarean section patients the opportunity to return home more quickly than in the past. The program is a part of a general shift toward offering more patient education and preparation before surgical procedures and a more individualized approach to post-operative care, both of which shorten hospital stays. In the past, C-section patients would stay in the hospital 3 – 4 days. Now, if both the mother and the baby are ready, they can return home in as few as 2 days.

Vermont Business Magazine The annual “Big Change Roundup for Kids” to support specialized care provided at The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital has changed a lot during this pandemic year – including adding contactless drive-thru collections. The three-month long coin collecting campaign is the largest annual fundraiser for the hospital, and is a joint project of the UVM Children’s Hospital and 98.9 WOKO-FM. Although the Roundup has pivoted to virtual events and contactless collections to prevent the spread of COVID-19, one thing that hasn’t changed is the need for support of the hospital’s high-quality care of pediatric patients in Vermont and Northern New York.

Vermont Business Magazine On Friday, March 5, 2021, CVHHH hosted the 33rd Annual Chez Henri Cup Sugarbush Timed Racing, Fundraiser, and Raffle. Kim Farnum, CVHHH’s Director of Community Relations & Development, is pleased to share that the event brought in over $12,000 in net proceeds. “This year, in spite of the pandemic, we raised more than this event has ever raised in the past 30-plus years,” says Kim. “This is due to the generosity of our sponsors and participants, many of whom returned to support us this year.”

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) Medical Matters Weekly with Dr. Trey Dobson, a weekly interactive, multiplatform medical-themed talk show, will feature Family Medicine Physician Jennifer Baker-Porazinski, MD, of Twin Rivers Medical, P.C. in Hoosick Falls, NY, as a guest on its March 17 show. The two will discuss Dr. Baker-Porazinski’s personal experience with COVID-19 and her interest in integrative medicine.

Vermont Business Magazine Global industrial computer hardware manufacturer and IoT solution provider, OnLogic, celebrated Pi Day by unveiling their first Raspberry Pi-powered industrial computer. Measuring just 102.5 x 129 x 38 mm, the tiny device made its debut on the OnLogic website on Pi Day (March 14), after first being shared with OnLogic's community of hardware enthusiasts and device builders who signed up to receive more information in advance of the system's public availability.

by Devon Green, VAHHS, Vice President of Government Relations Happy crossover! Last week, we reached the theoretical halfway point of the legislative session. I say theoretical because with the latest federal COVID-19 relief/stimulus package, the legislative calendar may extend beyond mid-May or legislators may come back in the fall. Regardless, the crossover deadline remained—meaning that all bills not involving money had to be passed out of legislative committees to stay alive. Any bills not passing out of committees on Friday are left “on the wall” and the legislature will have to wait until next year to take them up again.

Last Week

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 85 new cases of COVID-19 There have been two more deaths since Friday for a statewide total of 214. Over 143,144 Vermonters have now received at least one dose of vaccine (26.1% of population).

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan announced that the State of Vermont filed a civil lawsuit in Orleans County Superior Court for timber trespass at Hazen’s Notch State Park. The state alleges that, in 2019, the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) observed an area of trees and shrubs cut on state land within a designated natural area of the Park. In its complaint, the state alleges that Thomas Tremonte, an abutting property owner, cut timber and brush on the state park land without approval. Tremonte in an interview confirmed the cutting was for the purpose of backcountry skiing.

by David Snedeker, Northeastern Vermont Development Association As you have likely heard there will be funding for local governments in the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress and signed into law. Your can find the bill here: American Rescue Plan Act .

Vermont Business Magazine The Kick Start Middlebury program, created by a partnership of property owners and government, economic development, educational and business entities, is now accepting Letters of Interest to establish, relocate or expand a business in Middlebury. At least two applicants will receive an incentive package that includes free or discounted services and products donated by area businesses, a $10,000 grant made available by the Town of Middlebury’s business development fund, and various benefits offered by property owners.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Small Business Administration announced extended deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022. This includes Vermont.