Current News

by Joyce Marcel, Vermont Business Magazine Glass ceilings are being broken all over America in the wake of last month’s election, but Vermont has always been somewhat — I say somewhat — ahead of the game. While the state has never followed up on former Governor Madeleine Kunin’s tenure in office with another female governor, nor sent a woman to Congress, since 2017 US Attorney District of Vermont Christina Elizabeth Nolan, 41, has been the first female US attorney in Vermont's history.

Vermont Business Magazine The Farm to Plate Network, managed by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF), just released a new video series to help raise awareness and use of advisory boards among Vermont entrepreneurs. Once entrepreneurs establish an advisory board, they often report that they feel like they should have started one sooner. With the support of knowledgeable colleagues in an advisory board setting, business owners can better manage stress, solve tough problems, and make thoughtful strategic decisions that will help them grow sustainably, increase market share and access new markets.

Vermont Business Magazine About a year ago there came the first news of novel coronavirus in China. Soon it hit Europe with fast and devastating effect as cases overwhelmed Italian hospitals. Then it hit the New York City area and a nursing home in Seattle. Even in late February 2020 we didn’t know what to expect. Now we do. In that one nursing home 23 people would eventually die. As of this writing, 93 Vermonters have died of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) from over 5,500 cases.

Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont is developing a hiring pool of candidates who will be assigned as needed in the event of staffing shortages due to COVID-19 outbreaks. Currently, this is focused on long term care facilities, and positions include those such as Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Licensed Nursing Assistants, and unlicensed caregivers. Individuals who are new to the field, as well as those who are recently retired or who only work part-time currently, are encouraged to apply. For more information, or to find volunteer opportunities, visit www.covidstaffing.vermont.gov.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor has been informed by the US Department of Labor that Vermont has officially ‘triggered off’ of the federally-funded unemployment insurance program known as ‘Extended Benefits’. Governor Phil Scott and Labor Commissioner Michael Harrington have been saying for months that the unemployment rate, on which this decision is based, is artificially low because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The PUA program also is coming to an end. Between the two programs, about 20,000 Vermonters will lose benefits.

The Vermont State Police is investigating the death of Clinton Casavant, 89, who had been missing from Essex Junction, Vermont, since Sunday, December 6, 2020. The death does not appear to be suspicious. State police received an emergency call at about 9:34 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, from a resident of County Road in the town of Woodbury. The caller reported that he was walking on an unmaintained logging road about a quarter mile from County Road when he located the vehicle belonging to Mr. Casavant, and Mr. Casavant appeared to be deceased inside the vehicle.

Jim Lovinsky also manages their Eastview Farm in East Hardwick, where he and his wife, Mary-Ellen, grow organic seed garlic and raise dairy goats and Highland beef cattle. Photos by Erica Houskeeper

by Christine McGowan, Vermont Forest Industry Network Resourceful Vermonters have long looked to the forest for wood heat, building materials, and furniture, but Jim Lovinsky, owner of Sylvacurl in East Hardwick, may be among the first to see an alternative to plastic packing peanuts.

The company produces wood curls that can be used in place of plastic and polystyrene packaging materials. Compostable and biodegradable, the curls are free of dyes or chemical treatments and can be reused or simply returned to the earth. “It’s no different than leaves falling off the trees,” said Lovinsky.

by Maia Segura, Williamsville, Vermont Like many artists across Vermont, Roger Sandes’ business took a hit this year. “Many of my sales tend to be face to face, so getting my art out to people in the time of COVID has been particularly difficult,” said Sandes, creator of graphic-intensive, often grand scale paintings and collages.

Vermont Business Magazine Dry January, also known as kicking off the new year by refraining from alcohol for the month, is a health trend millions of people partake in each year. Studies show that American adults have been drinking alcoholic beverages around 14% more often due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For those taking a break from booze, a recent survey commissioned by Aqua ViTea found that the health-packed elixir, kombucha, is the alcohol alternative drink of choice for 44% of respondents. The survey, which looked at drinking preferences throughout Dry January, also asked participants about their goals and plans for the month, and found that an overwhelming majority would rather give up alcohol than precious food delivery services that have gotten them through 2020.

Vermont Business Magazine Health Commissioner Mark Levine said at Friday’s press conference that it’s now been about two weeks since Thanksgiving, but so far, we have not seen a “surge on a surge” of COVID-19 cases. COVID-19 cases remain relatively high and there have been several recent deaths, with four more reported today for a total of 93. However, the number of cases per day has remained flat. There were 113 today. There were 26 hospitalized with five in the ICU and none on a ventilator.

Vermont Business Magazine To help Vermonters stay up to date on the latest COVID guidance and information, Governor Phil Scott today encouraged Vermonters to register for Vermont Alert (VT-ALERT), the state’s emergency notification system. Since 2012, VT-ALERT has warned Vermonters of potential and imminent hazards like floods, severe storms, HazMat incidents and other threats. Vermonters can now use the system to receive important COVID-related updates, though VT-ALERT will not replace more comprehensive resources like healthvermont.gov or accd.vermont.gov.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State Auditor Doug Hoffer has released the final findings of a three-part investigation of the Vermont Economic Progress Council’s (VEPC) administration of the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI) program. Among the key findings of the investigation were: 1) VEPC does not verify whether VEGI applicants would undertake the proposed economic activity without the incentive ("but for"), and 2) when VEPC’s actions are inconsistent with law or the interests of taxpayers, there is no accountability since their decisions cannot be appealed. No only is Hoffer questioning the number of jobs gained by the program but he suggests the VEGI jobs are lower paying than expected.