Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Earlier this week ACCD hosted a webinar for Vermont businesses regarding updates to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). You can now view a recording of the webinar, which included ACCD leadership, the Vermont Department of Labor, the Vermont Bankers Association, and the Small Business Administration (SBA) Vermont District Office talking about updates to the program.

​by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine For everyone, 2020 is the year of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is usually a defining story every year. But never one like this one. Terms like “unprecedented times” and “star 6 to unmute” have become so familiar they’re even used as punchlines. In fact either of the top two stories this year would qualify as the biggest story in the nearly 50-year history of Vermont Business Magazine.

Vermont Business Magazine In response to today’s structure fire at 199 King Street, Mayor Miro Weinberger released the following statement: “Early this morning, Burlington lost two residents in the City’s first fatal fire since June 2012. My heart goes out to the friends and loved ones of the deceased, and the other five households who are now displaced. I walked the burned-out building with Fire Chief Steven Locke soon after it had been stabilized. I commend the Burlington firefighters who responded to this tragedy within minutes of the emergency call."

Leonine Public Affairs Republican Governor Phil Scott issued his inaugural address to a televised audience from the executive office building instead of giving the traditional speech in the House chamber. These unusual commencement events are the result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. History was made when Representative Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, and Senator Becca Balint, D-Windham, were elected House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tem respectively. Along with the swearing in of Democratic Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray this marks the first time in Vermont history that both chambers of the General Assembly are led by women.

Vermont Business Magazine Venture 7 Advisors is pleased to announce that Oatmeal Studios, a division of Excelsior Integrated based in Lee, MA, was acquired by Biely & Shoaf Company of Seattle, Washington. Venture 7 served as the exclusive merger and acquisition advisor to Excelsior Integrated in the sale of Oatmeal Studios. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Oatmeal Studios was founded in Vermont and the two existing account executives will remain here.

Vermont Business Magazine Human Services Secretary Mike Smith said at Friday’s press conference that 21,000 Vermonters have now been vaccinated, adding that Vermont ranks second in the nation in the rate of doses distributed per 100,000 people. Currently, health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities are being vaccinated. Vermont plans to use age grouping to determine who can receive the vaccine next based on our primary objective — to save lives, he said. The VDH reported today that there were 202 new cases of COVID-19, the third highest single-day total since the start of the pandemic and the second straight day of more than 200 cases. There was also one additional death for 155.

Vermont Business Magazine This statement was issued by US Attorney Christina E Nolan in response to inquiries received over the last two days from the press and the public regarding the violence in Washington, DC, and whether the Vermont office will investigate and prosecute perpetrators.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced a handful of new appointments and promotions in the Agency of Administration, Agency of Human Services and on his senior staff: Kristin Clouser, deputy secretary, Agency of Administration; Douglas Farnham, chief of operations, Agency of Administration; Rebecca Sameroff, deputy commissioner, Department of Taxes in the Agency of Administration; Jennifer Fitch, commissioner, Department of Buildings and General Services in the Agency of Administration; Marc O’Grady, deputy commissioner, Department of Buildings & General Services in the Agency of Administration; Ethan Latour, deputy commissioner, Department of Finance & Management in the Agency of Administration; Tricia Tyo, deputy commissioner, Department of Children and Families in the Agency of Human Services; Jason Maulucci, press secretary, Office of the Governor; Brittney Wilson, deputy chief of staff, Office of the Governor.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (VAHHS), which represents all of Vermont’s 14 non-profit hospitals, has been working in partnership with the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) and community providers to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to Vermonters identified in the State’s plan as qualifying for the first phase of Vermont’s vaccination effort. More than 17 million doses have been distributed across the country, with nearly 50,000 coming to Vermont so far and over 21,000 administered. Open story to see interactive vaccine map.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced today that the Paycheck Protection Program will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims last week increased to their second-highest level since the early weeks of the pandemic after three weeks of declining numbers. The holiday season typically results in several swings in the data. Claims increased by 703 to 1,800 last week (and up 1,120 from the same time last year, which was before the pandemic hit). As for the week's ongoing jobless claims, for the week ending January 2, 2021, the Labor Department processed 13,994 claims, up 2,809 from the previous week and 7,879 more than the same time last year.