Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 129 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths for a statewide total of 179. ALSO, VDH said that since the beginning of the pandemic, 29% of Vermont’s long-term care facilities (LTCF) have had at least one case of COVID-19. Outbreaks have been experienced by 17% of our long-term care facilities.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced that Luke McGowan, Director of the City’s Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO), will leave the City to join the administration of President Joe Biden. Luke has accepted a position as a senior advisor on the White House Intergovernmental Affairs Team, where he will lead the stimulus and economic recovery efforts with state and local governments. That work will focus on implementing stimulus efforts, identifying new infrastructure projects, and ensuring that the economic recovery supports climate resilience and racial justice.

Vermont Business Magazine OneCare Vermont today responded with strong opposition to a suit filed this morning by Attorney General TJ Donovan on behalf of State Auditor Douglas Hoffer in Washington superior court requiring the organization to provide payroll, salary, and benefit information no other contractor or state partner is required to share. Although OneCare has already provided the state and the public with the compensation paid to every single OneCare executive, the Auditor is now seeking the pay of other OneCare employees. OneCare said in a statement today that it deems this suit a baseless overreach without purpose or merit.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan today filed a lawsuit on behalf of State Auditor Doug Hoffer against OneCare Vermont after the accountable care organization breached its contract with the State by repeatedly refusing to provide accounting records to the State Auditor.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced that the Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has received more than $26 million in federal funding through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) to support public transit across the state.

The $26,772,119 award may be used to pay for 100% of public transit operations and vehicles. Most federal funds for public transit have a 20% or 50% non-federal funds match requirement, which usually comes from State and local resources. The CRRSAA funding will allow AOT to temporarily reduce the State and local funds needed for statewide transit service, allowing for more flexibility and resources to respond to the economic hardships and rebuilding costs associated with the COVID pandemic.

Vermont Research News A recent study looked at how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed people’s activities within nature. It found a significant increase in people’s engagement with nature through activities such as gardening, hiking, and wild-life watching as methods of stress-relief during this pandemic. Also, the key aspects of antibiotic stewardship include tracking antibiotic usage and reporting antibiotic use and resistance. And, watch for red and gray foxes in your own backyard; they don't like each other.

Vermont Business Magazine This first-ever grant program offers up to $500 to SoVTYP members through a competitive grant application process run by a volunteer selection committee. Some examples of eligible grant uses include acquiring a professional certification, continuing education or skills training through a local or online college, or attending professional conferences. These funds must be used for the advancement of the individual’s current profession or to pivot toward new career goals.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University continues its Todd Lecture Series with “True Grit: The Surprising, and Inspiring, Science of Success,” a live, virtual presentation by author and researcher Angela Duckworth with a moderated Q&A at 7 pm on Monday, February 15.

Agency of Commerce & Community Development The Small Business Administration (SBA) has released more information about the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) Program. The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, including live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theater operators, and talent representatives.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor is still in the process of sorting out an error in the printing and mailing of some 55,000 1099-G forms. Some of the forms were sent to the wrong address, thus potentially exposing personal information, including Social Security numbers. Also, due to a processing issue, the Department of Labor anticipates that some unemployment insurance claimants may experience a one-day delay in their ability to file their weekly claim or receive their weekly benefit amount through direct deposit.

Vermont Business Magazine Staff at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) who work at all 12 clinics and central administration in Vermont, including clinical and administrative staff, voted 60 to 5 yesterday in support of forming a union and to join AFT Vermont. They will soon begin negotiating as equals over wages, benefits and working conditions with their administration

"We are excited about our election victory and look forward to democratically deciding on our proposals and sitting down with management to negotiate a fair contract," stated Dana Keyes-Gibbons, a Health Care Associate and member of the union organizing committee. "We believe that through our union we will strengthen PPNNE for ourselves, our patients, our volunteers and the communities we serve."

Vermont Business Magazine More than 55,000 people have now been vaccinated in Vermont, including 19,500 who have received both doses. HHS Secretary Mike Smith said at Governor Scott's press briefing today that they are working toward increasing visitation and other in-house services for residents of long-term care facilities. DFR Commissioner Michael Pieciak said that cases in Vermont, in our region and across the nation are leveling off and in some cases going down, including the number of fatalities.