Current News

by Bill Schubart While a taskforce of educators and consultants works to envisage and create a new and sustainable Vermont State College System this winter, the dialogue about our public grade schools continues in the wake of Act 46. The demographic shifts driving consolidations, school governance, pandemic closings and inequitable broadband, and the loss of a community resource are all issues swirling about the future of El-Hi public education in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Health (VDH) and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) will host their weekly webinar series again Wednesday, December 9 at 3:00pm focusing on health and commerce pandemic updates for the business community. Decision makers from ACCD, VDH, and the Department of Public Safety will provide updates and be available to answer your questions. Businesses can submit questions ahead of time via an online form.

Vermont Business Magazine The vast majority of Eastern US voters support the multi-state Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI) as a way to jumpstart the struggling economy in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic, according a scientific survey of more than 3,800 voters after the November election. The massive poll was conducted by Climate Nexus and the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) on behalf of the Our Transportation Future (OTF) coalition. Vermont respondents also supported it, with 37 percent saying they "strongly support" it and 33 percent saying they "somewhat support" it; 18 percent "opposed" and 13 percent were "unsure."

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) urged Senate Democrats today to recognize the enormity of the economic and public-health crisis posed by COVID-19 and join them “in demanding that any new COVID-19 relief proposal includes a $1,200 direct payment to adults and $500 to their children,” while rejecting provisions “to give a liability shield to corporations who threaten the health and safety of workers and customers.”

Vermont Business Magazine The US House of Representatives Tuesday passed legislation by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) granting protections to whistleblowers who shine a light on violations of antitrust laws. The Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act, which unanimously passed the Senate last year, must now be signed by the President to become law.

Vermont Business Magazine CVFiber, the communications union district representing 20 municipalities in Central Vermont, has launched a community engagement campaign to assess the needs of 4,500 underserved homes and businesses. The locally-owned and governed community network has teamed up with the Vermont company Last Mile Community Connections, LLC, to conduct a survey of residents prior to rolling out 129 miles of fiber in 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger announced on Tuesday the opening of the Bike Path from Oakledge Park to Roundhouse Park, reconnecting the South End to the downtown. This completed section features significant improvements to path width and safety, and with its reopening, the city has now completed seven of the eight miles of the multi-year Bike Path rehabilitation project.

Vermont Business Magazine The VDH reported another 100 cases of COVID-19 today with four more deaths for 85 total statewide. The VDH said the total number of active cases (new and ongoing) is at its highest point since the beginning of the pandemic last March. There were 100 cases reported today with four more deaths for a statewide total of 85. Also, the Health Department this week will launch a new text notification system for certain people who have been identified as close contacts by someone who has COVID-19.

Vermont Business Magazine On Monday, the Vermont State Colleges System Board of Trustees voted to freeze tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year. “There is no doubt that the Vermont State Colleges are in a tough financial position this year; however, our first priority is ensuring a Vermont State Colleges education remains accessible to and affordable for our students. Our students depend on us and we will not close our budget gap on their backs. Freezing tuition right now as students and families face grave economic uncertainty is the right thing to do.”

Vermont Business Magazine Retreat Farm, the nonprofit in Brattleboro dedicated to connecting people to the land and to one another, received a $35,000 grant from the Gannett family fund at the Vermont Community Foundation to support the Farm’s efforts to address food insecurity in the wake of COVID-19. At the beginning of the pandemic, the Farm launched an emergency food pantry and ramped up its production of vegetables and meat to share directly with people in need and through several food pantry partners throughout the community. Thanks to Gannett Family’s generous support, the program will expand in the coming year with the introduction of a pay-what-you-can farmstand.

Vermont Business Magazine For the fourth consecutive year, Darn Tough Vermont has partnered with the Vermont Foodbank to donate 100 percent of their proceeds from Giving Tuesday online sales. This year's sales were an astounding 165 percent increase over last year, resulting in 137,100 meals being donated from the single day. The Foodbank Farmer’s Market sock has provided a total of 269,841 meals which equates to feeding 2,998 Vermonters for one month.

Vermont Business Magazine USDA Rural Development is now accepting applications for the Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants (REAP EA/REDA), with an application deadline of January 31, 2021. REAP EA/REDA grants strengthen American energy independence by helping rural businesses gain access to more sources of renewable energy and establish energy-efficiency solutions.