Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Berkshire Bank plans to consolidate 16 full-service branches. Following the targeted completion of these initiatives in the first half of 2021, the bank will operate a total of 106 branches across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont and New York - reducing the overall branch footprint by 18 percent. Of the first six targeted for closure, none are in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger secured the endorsement of the Burlington Democratic Party during its virtual nominating caucus Sunday evening. South End resident and Campaign Treasurer CD Mattison nominated Mayor Weinberger for the mayoral seat. Mayor Weinberger delivered a speech where he laid out a plan to continue strong focus on containing COVID-19, drive a robust and racially just economic recovery from the pandemic, and shared a vision for Burlington that bases policy on science, data, and expertise.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police is identifying the individuals involved in the nearly 12-hour standoff that began Sunday afternoon, December 6, 2020, and concluded safely at 1:21 am Monday. The suspect is Reginald Book, 70, of West Haven. He is facing charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and simple assault. The first two charges arise from Book’s use of his vehicle in an attempt to run over a state trooper at the scene of the standoff on Main Road in West Haven. The third charge stems from an incident earlier Sunday in which he and an adult male relative became involved in a physical altercation, which started this investigation.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement: Today we remember the 79th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor - a day that’s meaningful to Americans both for the loss we experienced and for marking the start of our involvement in World War II. In the days that followed, our nation mobilized an effort larger and more unified than any other. From the frontlines to the factories, Americans stood shoulder to shoulder in the fight against those who threatened our lives, our democracy and our future.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) today announced that it has awarded $500,000 in grants under the Mobility and Transportation Innovation (MTI) program. The purpose of the MTI program is to incentivize innovative strategies that improve both mobility and access for transit-dependent Vermonters, reduce the use of single occupancy vehicles for work trips, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Vermont Business Magazine Seven Days, Vermont’s free, independent newsweekly, is a New England Newspaper of the Year. The paper bested dozens of other regional large-circulation newsweeklies in a competition organized by the New England Newspaper & Press Association. The results were announced in a virtual award ceremony last month. The judges were impressed by the ”tremendous amount of content” in Seven Days — both in print and online — and praised everything from the presentation of obituaries to the web design and navigation.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s congressional delegation — Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I), and Representative Peter Welch (D) — are encouraging Vermont dairy farmers to consider enrolling in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, a voluntary safety net program created in the 2018 Farm Bill to help producers manage volatile milk prices and feed costs. The enrollment period for 2021 closes on Friday, December 11.

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger sent out a statement message Sunday responding to increased cases of COVID-19 and increased opportunities to get tested for it. The Vermont Department of Health Sunday reported 120 new cases of COVID-19 but no new deaths, which are holding at 79. Vermont broke 5,000 total cases Sunday.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health Sarah Squirrell on Friday reminded Vermonters of the state resources available to people as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact families and businesses. The governor stressed to keep in touch with family members and co-workers during this time. You can find out more about what resources are available at the Department of Mental Health website. Also, PPP forgiveness Webinars will now be conducted every Tuesday at 11:30 am and Wednesday at 9 am.

GMP Warns of Scam Threatening to Cut Power Unless You Give Immediate Payment, Encourage Customers to Just Hang Up
Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is alerting customers about a sudden increase in scam calls. The scammers claim to be from GMP and demand immediate payment and threaten to cut off power. Your local power company would never do that. If you receive a call like that, just hang up - it is a scam.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington's locally owned businesses face an existential threat as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Miro Weinberger and local leaders on Friday urged Burlingtonians who are able to to participate in the local economic recovery from Covid-19, and consider ways to safely patronize the downtown stores and restaurants during the holiday season.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State House Democratic Caucus has nominated Representative Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington) to serve as Vermont Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 2021-22 legislative biennium. Krowinski currently serves as House Majority Leader, a role she has held since 2017. Krowinski will be joined in the House leadership by Representative Emily Long (D-Newfane), who was elected House Majority Leader.