Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center and the Vaccine Testing Center at the University of Vermont's Larner College of Medicine have successfully reached and surpassed the targeted number of enrollees for an ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The goal of 250 enrolled and dosed volunteers was met in just four weeks – with more than 3,100 people registering to take part. The local vaccine trial was able to enroll nearly 65 percent of volunteers who are over the age of 65 – a critically important demographic for testing efficacy and safety and a unique, local contribution to the nation-wide study. Additionally, more than 12 percent of participants identify as black, indigenous or persons of color.

Vermont Business Magazine On January 6^th, Kevin DeRosa, One Credit Union Retail Manager, presented Jamie Hathaway, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Vermont with a check for $12,000. This money was raised as part of a yearlong effort in 2020 with the help of One Credit Union members and staff in our local communities.

Said Hathaway, “Thank you all so much for this incredible donation – now more than ever, kids in our communities need hope and joy, and this gift will go a long way in bringing that to them.”

Kevin DeRosa, right, One Credit Union Retail Manager, presents Jamie Hathaway, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Vermont, with a check for $12,000

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Commission on Women (VCW) starts the new legislative session with a public event examining how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts economic aspects of women’s lives, especially for women of color in our state. VCW’s Legislative After-Dinner Coffee & Conversation event, taking place Thursday evening, January 14th from 7 – 8:30 PM, features a panel discussion with experts, an exploration of issues in small group conversations, and a wrap up Q&A session. This event will be moderated by VCW Executive Director Cary Brown and is free and open to the public.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today delivered his third inaugural address, commending Vermonters’ resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, and calling for unity in tackling the recovery and addressing Vermont’s fundamental challenges: “The road ahead offers us an incredible opportunity to set the state back on a path where every county can have a vibrant, resilient economy; where every community and every family has the tools needed to be economically secure; and where every new generation has a better chance than the one that came before."

by Patrick Leahy January 6, 2021, will forever mark a day of infamy for our nation. It will be remembered because our beloved Capitol building — the very heart of our democracy — was stormed and laid under siege. Rioters broke through windows, doors, and security barriers in both the Senate and House wings of the Capitol, assaulting Capitol Police officers, leaving a wake of destruction, and forcing me and other Members of Congress to temporarily delay fulfilling our constitutional duty to certify the presidential election.

Vermont Business Magazine Today at the State House in Montpelier, following a small swearing in ceremony of Vermont’s constitutional officers, Governor Phil Scott delivered remarks to the Vermont General Assembly to highlight the beginning of the upcoming legislative session. Traditionally, the Governor would give the inaugural address during a joint session of the General Assembly, following the swearing in ceremony. However, due to health restrictions related to COVID-19, Governor Scott will deliver his inaugural address this evening, remotely, at 7 pm.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting the second highest single-day total of COVID-19 cases with 214. It's also only the second time cases have surpassed 200 since the beginning of the pandemic last March. The highest total was December 2 with 223. VDH also reported three more deaths for 155 total statewide. Chittenden (72) and Addison (41) counties accounted for the majority of the cases.

Vermont Department of Public Safety Statement of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Schirling regarding Sergeant Lucas Hall: This morning the Vermont State Police received a report of personal, off duty, social media posts by Lucas Hall of the Shaftsbury barracks. These posts appear to support the criminal insurgency that occurred yesterday at the US Capitol and to advocate for such insurgency to continue. While we recognize the rights of all people including sworn law enforcement officers to express their views, advocating for the overthrow of the constitutionally defined democratic election process by force or violence violates our oath of office to uphold the Constitution.

Vermont Business Magazine GasBuddy, the travel and navigation app used by more North American drivers to save money on gas, is predicting that 2021 may feature a sharp rally in gas prices by year end, warning that the national average could rise to as high as $3 per gallon should the nation broadly recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. While the risk exists for some pain at the pumps during the year, GasBuddy expects the yearly average will jump a more modest 27 cents per gallon in 2021. As of today, Vermont's average gas price was up 3 cents from a week ago to $2.25 a gallon. The US average was up 4 cents to $2.30.

Vermont Business Magazine Auto insurance rates have fallen for the first time in over a decade — decreasing by 1.7 percent across the US for 2021. Vermont's fell 2.9 percent and ranks 10th lowest in US at $1,135, according to ValuePenguin.com's State of Auto Insurance in 2021 report published today. The rate decrease in 2021 is an anomaly caused by fewer Americans driving in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Less drivers on the road, and a steep reduction in claims, brings the average cost of Auto Insurance in 2021 to $1,636.

Vermont Business Magazine The Future Forest Economy Initiative is investing $250,000 to enhance markets for certified wood and to strengthen the supply chain for wood in the Northern Forest region through a grant to the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands (TCNEF). The three-year grant award will enable TCNEF to expand the ranks of certified Master Logger companies in the region, with a focus on New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. The Master Logger program improves logger performance, company financial stability, and workforce development and retention while increasing the supply of certified wood fiber.

​Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Electric Co-op is continuing to offer a wide variety of bill credits this year for members who purchase certain electricity-powered devices for their homes or businesses to transition away from fossil fuels. One important change from last year’s incentives is that VEC is partnering with Efficiency Vermont to offer a single point of purchase incentive for ductless heat pumps. The result is that members will get VEC’s incentive, combined with the Efficiency Vermont incentive, at the time they buy the heat pump instead of applying for the credit post-purchase. However, members who install heat pumps in buildings that meet thermal efficiency criteria can get another $150 bill credit directly from VEC.