Current News

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Patrick Leahy, US Senator Bernie Sanders, and US Representative Peter Welch will recognize 28 young Vermonters who are being nominated to the United States Service Academies, Class of 2025. Each year the Vermont delegation hosts a reception at the Vermont State House for the nominees. However, for everyone’s safety, this year’s ceremony will be held virtually on Wednesday evening.

by Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts 2020 was the year of all years, so to speak. Last year at this time, Vermont was going about its business; we were toasting 2019, and we were looking forward to the start of a new decade. We made it through deep winter; then came March and our routines ended.

The pandemic forced us to close our schools, restaurants and workplaces. Grocery shopping, formerly mundane, became too much for many. Plans for parties, weddings, graduations and other celebrations that bring joy to everyday life were terminated with one fell swoop.

Our health care workers and first responders took care of us as we tried to weave our way through Covid-19. Lives were lost. We learned more about how to take precautions and treat people who were ill, but the virus did not go away.

Vermont Business Magazine Human Services Secretary Mike Smith said Tuesday that about 9,800 Vermonters have been vaccinated so far, including 8,000 health care workers, 900 emergency services personnel and 900 in long-term care facilities, though that number is likely larger due to a lag in reporting through the federal government. By the end of January, everyone in Phase 1A should have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, with many having received second doses, he said.

Vermont Business Magazine Last week, the City Council unanimously approved a motion in support of the advancement of the Railyard Enterprise Project to preliminary engineering. The City and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) expect that design work could begin in 2021, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and VTrans have committed to providing 90 percent of the funding.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan today announced that Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) has agreed to pay over $400,000 for its disposal of recyclable processed glass at three locations on its Williston, Vermont property. CSWD will also post information on its website and publications to ensure that it is being transparent with the public about what happens to glass sent to CSWD for recycling.

Vermont Business Magazine President Donald Trump signed into law on Sunday night a government funding bill that included energy efficiency provisions championed by Representative Peter Welch, and an important Medicaid fraud bill that he introduced this Congress. The bill also funds the government for the remainder of fiscal year 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement in response to the House of Representatives’ overwhelming 275-134 passage of $2,000 direct payments for the working class: “The House has passed a $2,000 direct payment for working people. It is time for the Senate to act. This week on the Senate floor Mitch McConnell wants to vote to override Trump's veto of the $740 billion defense funding bill and then head home for the New Year. I'm going to object until we get a vote on legislation to provide a $2,000 direct payment to the working class."

Vermont Business Magazine Community Health's medical professionals began receiving the COVID vaccination this weekend, with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bradley Berryhill as one of the first providers to get the Pfizer vaccine. As the process of immunizing against the coronavirus has just begun, Dr. Berryhill shared his thoughts, concerns and advice to friends, family and patients in a letter to the community. Cautioning that this is just the beginning of a process that will last for months Dr. Berryhill underscores the importance of staying informed and vigilant.

Dear Friends,

This is a historic moment in time for our world and no less true for everyone who lives here in central Vermont. There exists a level of stress and anxiety which is uniquely representative of this moment in time.

Vermont Business Magazine The Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC) is pleased to announce expanded outreach and services to municipalities and the public to enhance water quality and tactical basin planning efforts for South Lake Champlain (Basins 2 & 4).

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health on Monday reported that there have been 12 more deaths from COVID-19 since their last report December 23, for a statewide total of 129. There were 87 cases reported on Monday for a total of 7,120 since last March. Many Health Department teams are working through the holiday week, including the laboratory staff, contact tracing and other critical response teams.

by John McClaughry On December 21 Gov. Phil Scott bailed out of the proposed 12-state Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), at least for 2021. Only three of the twelve hoped-for state participants have agreed to implement TCI (Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island). Eight others, including Vermont, agree to keep on meeting, talking and negotiating, but the process is likely on life support. The twelfth state, New Hampshire, wants nothing to do with TCI.

Vermont Business Magazine New England Culinary Institute President Dr Milan Milasinovic has announced on the college's website that it will be closing down. The 40-year-old Montpelier institution, which featured a college experience and real-world culinary arts at its own restaurants, has struggled in recent years, just as many other small colleges in Vermont and elsewhere have. Enrollments are down nationwide. NECI follows Green Mountain College, St Joseph's College. Southern Vermont College and Marlboro College in shutting its doors in the last two years.