Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Stimulus Equity Fund is Vermont's COVID-19 relief fund for those who were excluded from the federal stimulus due to their immigration status. Applications are now being accepted through March 1, 2021. If you were ineligible to receive a 2020 federal coronavirus stimulus payment due to your immigration status, you may be eligible for relief from this program.

by Bill Schubart Change is relentless. Humanity’s efforts to understand, accommodate, and survive it are invariably buffeted by the headwinds stirred up by those whose privilege may be curtailed by that change.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Lantern Solar has completed construction of a 133kW solar array on Sugarbush Resort property adding to their existing solar portfolio. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new array is being planned for 11:30 am Monday, February 8. This new array, located along the north edge of Lot F at Lincoln Peak, is the 6th Green Lantern array and the first one located on Sugarbush property.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Taxes on Thursday mailed 1099-G forms to 21,000 taxpayers that detail potentially taxable state refunds or taxable grants. These forms are issued annually at the end of January to taxpayers who itemized deductions and received a Vermont income tax refund.

Vermont State Police Veilleux Road covered bridge by River Road in Troy is impassable due to a fire and the subsequent collapse of the bridge into the river below. This route is not accessible by any vehicle types at this time. This incident is expected to last until further notice when a replacement bridge is built.

Vermont Business Magazine Don Sinex, Managing Member of the CityPlace Burlington Team, announced Friday that they have resolved settlement discussions with Mayor Weinberger and the City of Burlington, and that a settlement agreement will be presented to the City Council for discussion at its February 8 meeting and approval at its February 16 meeting.

Vermont Business Magazine About 350 Soldiers primarily from the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, as well as about 200 additional soldiers from New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Colorado will deploy Sunday to multiple locations across US Central Command as part of Task Force Avalanche.

Leonine Public Affairs On Monday the Department of Labor (VDOL) announced a mailing error that resulted in a major data breach. VDOL estimates that the personally identifiable information of somewhere between 25,000 and 58,000 Vermonters was compromised when 1099 forms were mailed to incorrect addresses. Also, the Legislature is working on housing, broadband and healthcare bills, the ongoing budget process and dealing with the fallout of a racial slur from a contractor on a "hot mic."

Vermont Business Magazine The music and entertainment industry has taken some steps toward inclusivity in the past few years. But when a pro audio forum website still goes by the name Gearslutz, a Northern Vermont University alum knew there were still great strides to make. NVU-Lyndon Music Business and Industry alum, Cameran Davis ’19, stepped in to encourage that company to pick up the pace toward change — an effort that produced a big win for women in an industry that has long been male-dominated.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in collaboration with local nonprofits, town officials, scientists and regional planners, finalized two tactical basin plans that outline the strategy to restore and protect rivers, lakes and wetlands across much of the state, from Ferrisburgh to Peacham. The Tactical Basin Plans for Northern Lake Champlain Direct Drainages and the Stevens, Wells, Waits, Ompompanoosuc and Connecticut River Direct Tributaries provide details on how DEC will work alongside nonprofits, farmers, towns, landowners, and Natural Resource Conservation Districts to continue to improve water quality, restore aquatic habitats, and prevent future pollution.

Vermont Business Magazine Human Services Secretary Mike Smith announced at Tuesday’s press conference that vaccinations for homebound Vermonters will begin immediately. If you’re watching the Super Bowl this Sunday, stick to your own household. Governor Scott (rooting for the Bucs) also announced today that indoor high school and youth sports can return to competition starting February 12, but without spectators. The VDH is reporting 107 new cases of COVID-19 with no deaths, which remain at 181 statewide. Vermont has the lowest death rate in the nation and case counts have fallen.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine After months of negotiations, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced today a settlement with the developers of CityPlace Burlington that retains the benefits of the original development agreement, secures millions of dollars in public benefits, and ensures that the project can move forward. The Administration will present the settlement to the City Council for discussion at its February 8, 2021 meeting, and seek approval at the Council’s February 16 meeting.