Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims last week were virtually unchanged and continue to hold at a high level. This is happening in Vermont and nationally. This is generally explained by more people getting back into the system as the new federal economic relief plan has both extended the unemployment insurance benefits and increased the payout. However, economists also suggest the new year is off to a sluggish start.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Human Services and Department of Health has announced that the portal for people 75+ to schedule an appointment to be vaccinated will open on Monday, January 25th. A link to make an appointment and a phone number will be announced on Monday morning. Also, you must quarantine if you travel into or back to Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Board of Trustees of Vermont Law School (VLS) on Saturday named Beth McCormack interim president and dean. Interim Dean McCormack is the first woman to hold the position in VLS’s history and succeeds Dean Thomas McHenry, who announced his intention to step down last November. McHenry assumes the title of President and Dean Emeritus.

Vermont Business Magazine Community Bank N.A. officially opened its new location at 28 Cottonwood Drive on Route 2 in Williston. The brand-new office space offers retail, municipal, business and trust services and now adds the Williston community to the bank’s extensive branch network. The new Williston location has 4 teller stations, a 24-hour ATM, 2 drive-thru lanes, a night depository and safe deposit boxes, however, due to COVID-19 precautions it is currently open as a drive-up only.

Vermont Business Magazine The Woodstock Inn & Resort has been recognized among the 10 top hotels in North America by Preferred Hotels & Resorts 2020 I Prefer Members’ Choice Awards. It is one of just 38 hotels honored globally across four regional categories within Preferred Hotels & Resorts more than 750 hotels, resorts, and residences worldwide.

These awards celebrate hotels around the world that are best-of-the-best in delivering high quality standards and exceptional, personalized experiences to members of the brand’s I Prefer Hotel Rewards program, as determined by votes from I Prefer Members. For the full list of I Prefer Members’ Choice Awards winners, visit IPrefer.com/MembersChoice.

Leonine Public Affairs On Tuesday, Vermont became the last state to reach a grim milestone, recording its 10,000th case of COVID-19. Department of Financial Regulation Commissioner Mike Pieciak noted in a press conference that while some recent projections have indicated Vermont reaching up to 300 cases per day by mid-February, it now appears the numbers will be lower. Although there were hints of optimism in Commissioner Pieciak's update, state officials were reluctant to offer further insight into when Vermont might expect to ease restrictions on multi-household gatherings.

Vermont Business Magazine Omega Optical Holdings, LLC, a leading precision optics platform backed by Artemis Capital Partners, announced today that Dr. Michael J Cumbo has been appointed President and CEO of the Brattleboro firm, effective February 1. Dr Cumbo brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the optics and photonics industry to Omega.

Artemis formed Omega Optical Holdings, LLC in August 2020, upon the acquisition of Omega Optical, LLC, a manufacturer of precision optical filters and coatings, and plans to target further complementary acquisitions. Dr. Cumbo will lead all strategic and operational initiatives to position the platform for long-term growth.

Dr. Cumbo is an experienced optics and photonics industry leader with a successful track record of building world-class optical technology companies in the life science, defense & aerospace, semiconductor, and industrial OEM markets.

Vermont Business Magazine Old Mill Road Media and WEQX are thrilled to present CLEAN Jams, a new radio show hosted by Benjamin Lerner. CLEAN Jams is a new 60 minute program that shines a spotlight on Rap, Hip-Hop, and Recovery. The one hour show will be recorded at Old Mill Road Recording in East Arlington, VT – and broadcast on WEQX every Thursday night at 11pm, beginning January 28, 2021. In addition to Sober Rap & Hip-Hop music, each episode includes a guest interview with a health professional, musician, politician, lawyer or other recovery partner, discussing addiction and sobriety. Benjamin’s inaugural guest on CLEAN Jams is Vermont’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Mark Levine.

Vermont Business Magazine Human Services Secretary Mike Smith and Public Safety Commissioner Mike Schirling today again tested negative for COVID-19. As their last exposure was 7 days ago, on Friday, January 15, they are no longer in quarantine. There is no change in status for Governor Scott, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, M.D., or Financial Regulation Commissioner Mike Pieciak, whose last exposure was Tuesday, January 19. None are experiencing symptoms and will continue to quarantine. They will be tested again on Tuesday, January 26.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is scheduling vaccinations for those 75 and older starting Monday. While they expect some bottlenecks in the first few days of registration, (Vermonters age 75 and older) WILL be able to get an appointment during the weeks they are scheduling. The VDH also reported today that there were 174 new cases of COVID-19 and one more death for a statewide total of 169.

Vermont Business Magazine In large clinical trial conducted worldwide, full dose anti-coagulation (blood thinner) treatments given to moderately ill patients hospitalized for COVID-19 reduced the requirement of vital organ support—such as the need for ventilation. A trend in possible reduction of mortality was also observed and is being further studied. With large numbers of COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization, these outcomes could also help reduce the overload on intensive care units around the world. Dr Mary Cushman, at the University of Vermont's Larner College of Medicine, is a lead investigator on one aspect of the trial.

by Jack Hoffman, Public Assets Institute Federal stimulus funds clearly have been a godsend for Vermont and other states. Through the first round of relief—direct payments to state government, supplemental unemployment benefits, or aid to businesses—more than $5 billion flowed into Vermont to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic and to offset some of the economic damage it has caused.