Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement for the first night of Hanukkah: “This evening marks the first night of Hanukkah, and as many Vermonters light that first candle on the menorah, many will also reflect on the blessings and struggles of this past year."

Vermont Business Magazine By early August, VHCB had committed most of the funding—$30 million—to Vermont’s network of non-profit housing developers and to shelters statewide. In early October, the balance of the funds were committed. Work is currently underway or complete at 26 different sites, including the purchase of five motels that will be converted to create new homes with support services for people transitioning to permanent housing.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported today 119 new cases of COVID-19 (5,413 total), with three more deaths for 89. Case counts are up in every county but have swung back largely to Chittenden County, with 54 new cases reported today and 446 and 10 deaths in the last two weeks. As Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD said earlier this week, we are in the very first stages of vaccine production and distribution to the states, and there will likely be a limited supply of vaccine early on. Meanwhile, cases of COVID-19 continue to increase in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine This week, Vermont PBS and VPR received the regulatory approvals needed to proceed with the intended merger announced in September. The FCC has granted permission for the license transfer, and the IRS has granted tax-exempt status, clearing the way for the new organization to launch in July. They will continue to operate independently until then.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos will be holding the meeting of Vermont’s three Electors of the President and Vice President on Monday, December 14th at 10 am in the State House. On Monday the Electors will take their oaths of allegiance and oaths of office, cast official ballots for the President and Vice President of the United States, and complete a Certificate of Vote.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) stated today on the Senate floor that given the enormity of the current economic crisis, the Senate must pass a $1,200 direct payment for working class adults and $500 for their children as part of any COVID-19 relief package. He is filing an amendment today to the one-week Continuing Resolution to do just that. Sanders said that it would be unacceptable for Congress to adjourn for the holidays while turning its back on the economic desperation facing tens of millions of Americans.

Vermont Business Magazine Global Campuses Foundation (GCF) recently received a $30,000 grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. The grant will help further GCF’s mission of providing a network of campuses fostering advanced learning opportunities for adults who experience disability by supporting its operational and strategic programming.GCF is the pioneer organization in Vermont and western New Hampshire providing post-secondary opportunities for 200 adults, ages 17 – 70+, most of whom experience developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Vermont Business Magazine Milder winter weather will contribute to abundant electricity in the region. ISO New England Inc, operator of the region’s power grid, expects to have sufficient supplies to meet New England’s electric needs this winter under both normal and short durations of extreme temperatures for the region’s coldest months, spanning December 2020 through February 2021. ISONE anticipates demand for electricity will peak at 20,166 megawatts under normal weather conditions. This is 310 MW (1.5%) lower than the 2019-20 forecast, and reflects a long-term trend of declining peak winter energy use.

Vermont Business Magazine The Northeast Kingdom Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation made $115,800 in grants to 27 organizations in Orleans, Essex, and Caledonia counties in fall 2020. This year’s awards represent a combination of grants to organizations supporting education, food access, the arts, and outdoor engagement. The Northeast Kingdom Fund was established in 2011 by the Community Foundation and local partners as a permanent philanthropic resource to support the people and communities in the region.

Vermont Business Magazine Northern Vermont University has been awarded a $465,000 USDA Rural Utilities (RUS) grant to expand videoconferencing services in rural communities throughout the state. The funding will support the development of 30 additional community sites to expand access to workforce training and education, distance learning opportunities, and telemedicine in underserved areas throughout the state — bringing the total number of community sites to 60. The first sites were developed through the first round of RUS funding and are located in high schools around Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine For its 85th season, the Woodstock Inn & Resort’s Suicide Six Ski Area will modify operations to prioritize the safety of guests and employees while also ensuring a quality snow experience that are hallmarks of the mountain. The operating schedule will be modified to five days per week, opening the lodge and lifts from Wednesday through Sunday. Every guest must complete a ski attestation form upon arrival to certify compliance with all state guidelines. Face coverings are required for guests and employees at all times in public spaces such as outdoor seating areas, the parking lot, in the lodge, loading and riding the lifts, and during all ski and snowboard lessons. Masks can be taken down while on the trails or eating.

by Christine McGowan, Vermont Forest Industry Network Mike Rainville, founder and owner of Maple Landmark, landed his first wholesale account at age 15, when a traveling salesman noticed the wooden tic tac toe boards Mike had for sale at the Lincoln General Store. That was 1979. Today, Maple Landmark supplies wooden toys—including the tic tac toe and cribbage boards that gave Mike his start—to thousands of gift shops around the world, employing 37 people at its 28,000 square-foot facility in Middlebury.