Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) approved over $20.3 million in new financing for Vermont businesses and farms during the quarter ended December 31, an almost $15 million increase over the previous quarter. VEDA has also been processing applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which reopened on January 11. Created under the CARES Act and implemented by the US Small Business Administration (SBA), PPP provides forgivable loans to businesses impacted by COVID-19, providing much needed liquidity to keep employees on payrolls and help cover overhead costs.

Vermont Business Magazine Today Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos issued his directive on permitted processes for local elections in 2021, giving municipalities the flexibility and safe voting options they need to hold Annual Meeting and other local elections safely. The Legislature has authorized municipalities to delay Annual Meeting until a time in 2021 when it can be held in a safer manner or environment, the proactive mailing of ballots to all voters on the municipal checklist, and conversion of a floor meeting to use of an Australian ballot. The Legislature has appropriated $2 million to help pay for the costs of conducting annual meetings.

by Senator Christopher Bray Vermonters face three crises: the first two are clear and present dangers—first, COVID-19, and second, the need to uphold the safe, lawful, just, and stable operation of government in Washington, DC, and across the nation. The third crisis is less obvious, yet more challenging and damaging in the long run—climate change.

Vermont Business Magazine V/T Commercial in Burlington has announced several new commercial real estate transactions it recently closed.

Vermont Business Magazine This afternoon Governor Phil Scott, Department of Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD and other administration officials were informed that a contractor who provided services at the Governor’s coronavirus briefings on Friday, January 15 and Tuesday, January 19 has tested positive for COVID-19. However, out of an abundance of caution, because they speak at the podium for extended periods of time, Governor Scott, Dr Levine, and other administration officials in attendance will quarantine and be tested based on guidance from the Vermont Department of Health.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today 102 new cases of COVID-19 and again there have been no deaths since last Friday. They are holding at 163. State officials are cautiously optimistic as trends in Vermont, the region and across the nation appear to be showing that COVID cases may have reached their third-wave peak. And despite problems with supply coming from the federal government, beginning next week on January 25, Vermonters who are age 75 and older will be able to make an appointment to be vaccinated.Those eligible for the vaccine will expand by age grouping, and then, after the age groups, by certain high-risk medical conditions.

Vermont Business Magazine Michael Schirling, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, and Nancy Sheahan, chairwoman of the State Police Advisory Commission, issued the following joint statement Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, regarding the work of SPAC and the Internal Affairs Office within the Department of Public Safety during the first half of 2020.

DPS in the past has provided an overview of SPAC’s work, but today’s public release of information represents the first time the department has provided detail about individual cases.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Mutual Insurance Group recently donated $15,000 to Spectrum Youth and Family Services as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins program, a multi-year, community-based collaboration between Vermont Mutual Insurance Group and the University of Vermont. The Cats Win, Community Wins initiative was created by Vermont Mutual and UVM Athletics to give back to local charitable organizations. As part of their arrangement, Vermont Mutual donates $100 for every Catamount win to a selected charity. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that surfaced in early 2020, most Catamount games had to be canceled.

Partnering With Come Alive Outside Passport to Recovery, Zero Suicide Initiatives
Vermont Business Magazine “We are in the midst of a mental health crisis,” said Community Health Behavioral Health Director Christopher Chadwick. “Not only are we dealing with mental health issues, but we are also seeing an increase in overdose deaths across the state,” Chadwick said.

Community Health is partnering with several state and local agencies to raise the importance of recognizing symptoms of potential suicide and to provide the community with the skilled professionals and resources to address behavioral health illnesses like depression, anxiety and addiction recovery.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Health Network - Home Health & Hospice is adding three new members to its 2021 board of directors. The trio — Scott Comeau, Pam Mackenzie and Jan Demers — brings diverse professional and volunteer experience gathered over many years supporting their respective communities.

Vermont Business Magazine Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH) has announced that the 2020 Fall Appeal, which was chaired by Ed and Trish Read of Fayston, brought in $80,000. This is the most successful appeal in recent years with close to 500 donors contributing. CVHHH will use funds raised to support programs and services, including telehealth, which has expanded in the past ten months and for which CVHHH does not receive full reimbursement for services provided.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), and Bennington’s office of the Vermont Department of Health will appear in a digital information session regarding the COVID-19 vaccine distribution at 1 pm on Tuesday, January 19. The event is made possible with cooperation from CAT-TV and the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce.