Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Administration today announced that state employees who can telework should expect to do so at least through March 31, 2021. This extends the expectation set in August that telework would extend to the end of calendar year 2020. Since the beginning of the declared state of emergency on March 23, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic many state employees stayed at their worksites to sustain the State’s emergency response to the pandemic, including the health department, 24/7 facilities, law enforcement and offices where critical operations could not be sustained without some physical presence in the worksite.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims have edged up the last couple weeks after being near their lowest levels since the beginning of the pandemic. Claims increased by 105 to 706 (up 337 from the same time last year). The last time claims were under 500 was on March 7 when there were 446.

Vermont Business Magazine In response to a recent surge in cases of COVID-19 throughout New England and to mitigate the spread of the virus, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) in Bennington, part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), will limit hospital visitation hours and restrict hospital inpatients to one visitor at a time. Starting Monday, November 2, visiting hours will be limited to 4 – 7 pm. Additionally, the time per visit will also be limited to 30 minutes per individual.

This follows tighter visitor restrictions issued by Rutland Regional Medical Center on Monday.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) Friday announced that Vermont’s DREAM program will receive a three-year, $1.25 million grant from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to support peer mentoring for elementary-aged youths in rural communities whose lives have been affected by the opioid epidemic.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) approved $75 million in financing assistance for 439 Vermont businesses and farms during its fiscal year ended June 30. Loans were approved to businesses in over 17 economic sectors like agriculture, manufacturing and renewable energy generation, often in partnership with local banks, credit unions and other lenders. VEDA approved $11.7 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loans for 264 Vermont businesses and farms as part of its support of federal and state economic disaster relief programs.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported Thursday that there were 16 new cases as well as an uptick in the number of hospitalizations (6) and in the ICU (2). For the last several months these numbers have usually been zero. The VDH also reminds that it is especially important for everyone to get their flu shot this year – when flu viruses and the new coronavirus may be spreading at the same time. Help keep flu out of the picture! We encourage everyone older than 6 months old (with rare exceptions) — and especially people in a high-risk group or who have underlying health conditions — to get their flu vaccine.

Vermont Business Magazine If you need help with paying your internet service bill, you may be eligible for a grant from the Vermont COVID-19 Temporary Broadband Subsidy Program (TBS). The program is available to Vermont residential broadband customers who have experienced economic hardship due to the pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc, a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company based in Rutland, today reported its financial results for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2020. Highlights include: Revenues were $202.7 million for the quarter, up $4.1 million, or up 2.1%, from the same period in 2019; Net income was $15.1 million for the quarter, up $2.7 million, or up 22.0%, from the same period in 2019.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced a partnership between the Burlington International Airport and VGS in which the utility will provide the local match for the BTV Sound Mitigation Program, closing the gap needed to apply for $4.5 million in federal funds for soundproofing in 2021, and without any impact on the general funds of the communities around the airport. The arrival of the F-35 for the BTV-based Vermont Air Guard one-year ago resulted in complaints in adjoining towns of increased noise pollution.

Vermont Business Magazine A bipartisan group of senators this week introduced legislation to protect property owners whose assets are seized by the federal government. The DUE PROCESS Act is sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) – all members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Christopher Parker, of Guilford, Vermont, waived indictment and pleaded guilty today to a one count information charging him with tax evasion. U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss ordered Parker released on conditions pending sentencing on February 15, 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Health Network confirmed today that it is "working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Vermont Department of Public Safety to investigate a now confirmed cyberattack that has affected some of our systems. We expect that it will take some time to restore and we are working as quickly as possible to return to normal operations."