Current News

by Bruce Edwards, Vermont Business Magazine Outdoor recreation plays a large part of the state’s economy that goes far beyond travel and tourism. The Alliance includes 75 members from companies like Turtle Fur, Darn Tough, Burton and Orvis to Kingdom Trails, Vermont Bike and Brew, Vermont Community Loan Fund and Craftsbury Outdoor Center.

by Amanda Kuhnert About six months into the pandemic, Katya d’Angelo and Chris Triolo purchased a brick-and-mortar business right around the corner from where they live in downtown Waterbury. The two are known around town for their ice-cream tricycle, The Udder Guys—a side business to their day jobs in marketing and computer programming.

by Tom Pelham The value of the relationship between a family and their primary care physician (PCP) cannot be overstated. In 1947, Norman Rockwell captured the intimacy of such relationships in Visiting the Family Doctor. The painting reveals Arlington’s Dr George Russell serving those in and around Arlington for 33 years and about whom it was said, “We couldn’t do without Doctor Russell. He has dosed, bandaged and splinted us, put the accident victims together, delivered the babies, treated the measles and mumps, and stitched up the town’s cuts.”

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Board of Trustees has re-elected Ron Lumbra as its chair. Cindy Barnhart was re-elected as vice chair. John Bartholomew was elected secretary of the Board, succeeding Curt McCormack, who completed his term of service. Lumbra, who was appointed to the UVM board in 2014, is a partner in the CEO & Board Practice of Heidrick & Struggles and based in New York.

Agency of Commerce and Community Development released on Friday updated Work Safe guidance to Governor Scott's "Be Smart, Stay Safe Order." As Vermont continues its work to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, reduce the spread of the virus, keep Vermonters working, and keep our children in school, the state's mitigation strategy is constantly evolving.

by Jeremy Grant, Esq Over the last year, the global Covid-19 pandemic impacted nearly every aspect of society. Although this crisis is far from over, with the passage of the American Rescue Plan, rapidly increasing vaccination rates and decreasing rates of new Covid-19 cases, there is a tangible sense of optimism that we may be rounding the corner. The businesses and startups that learn from this pandemic and adapt accordingly will be the ones that will thrive coming out of this crisis.

Leonine Public Affairs The House Appropriations Committee (HAC) worked long hours this week to finalize the FY2022 budget. Friday was the crossover deadline for all money bills and the budget, transportation and capital bills all needed to pass out of their respective committees in the House.

The Vermont State Police is identifying the victim in this case as Sergio Raychstock, 60, of Fletcher. An autopsy was performed on the victim Saturday, March 20, at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington. The cause of death was determined to be hypothermia, and the manner of death was ruled an accident.

Vermont Business Magazine Rae Carter, a cancer and trauma survivor, announces the launch of EmpowR, a healing and social justice enterprise centered in co-creating personal and cultural transformation in Plainfield. Services and educational programs are designed to empower and affect heart-centered change in our personal lives and cultures to make space for healthier bodies and a more inclusive, just, and compassionate society.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Student Assistance Corporation’s GEAR UP program is sponsoring a new podcast series aimed at parents of teenagers and the tough challenges that face teens.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the timeline for when all Vermonters age 16 and older will be eligible to make an appointment for COVID-19 vaccination. The goal is to have Vermonters fully vaccinated by July 1. Governor Scott also announced updates to COVID-19 guidance for bars and social clubs, like American Legions and VFWs. These establishments are being moved under the state’s restaurant guidance, which will allow them to reopen March 24 within that sector’s current restrictions. These include operating at 50% capacity, requiring patrons be seated at tables with a maximum of 6 per table, 6 feet of distance between parties, masking and more.

Vermont Business Magazine The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently awarded more than $5.7 million is given to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, to pass through to Southern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) to cover the cost of the State of Vermont’s Emergency Feeding Program. The state’s emergency feeding program called Vermont Everyone Eats was established and coordinated with state-wide sub-contractors (Hubs) who oversee restaurant engagement, meal production and meal distribution. The program, a vital part of Vermont’s emergency feeding initiative, provided meals to the COVID-19 impacted population of the state.