Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today six new cases of COVID-19, which is a lesser number than over the last couple of weeks. The VDH is also pushing regular flu shots. Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. One important difference is that we have a vaccine for the flu! It’s more important than ever to get your flu shot this year – when flu viruses and the new coronavirus are spreading at the same time.

Agency of Commerce & Community Development Applications are now being accepted by both ACCD and the Department of Taxes for the Expanded Economic Recovery Grants. The Department of Taxes application is open through the myVTax portal until this Friday, October 30th. The window for the ACCD application is open until Monday, November 9th.

Vermont Business Magazine A second staff member at Northeast Correctional Complex (NECC) in St Johnsbury has tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member was tested for COVID-19 on Monday, October 26 as part of NECC mass testing, and was last in the facility on October 27. A total of two staff at NECC have now tested positive for coronavirus this month. The first tested positive on October 22 and was last in the facility on October 12.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding $2.7 billion nationwide in federal financial assistance in support of water infrastructure improvements through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs, including $18,791,000 for Vermont. This funding assists states, tribes and territories with infrastructure projects that help protect surface water and provide safe drinking water to communities across the United States.

Vermont Business Magazine Healthy Living Market and Café opens their new Williston, Vermont location Thursday, October 29, at 129 Market Street. The Williston location is the third store for Healthy Living, with existing stores in South Burlington and Saratoga (NY). The new location is 20,000 square feet. It includes all of the same departments that South Burlington shoppers have come to enjoy, including local produce and dairy, Vermont meats and cheeses, a robust selection of craft beer and wine, fresh sushi, and a wide selection of prepared meals created by James Beard-nominated chef, Matt Jennings.

by Julie Lowell, Public Assets Institute In 1992 Vermont saw its largest voter participation rate in the last 46 years. Seventy percent of the voting-age population came out to cast their ballot for president. For comparison, 63 percent of possible Vermont voters went to the polls in 2016. This year we can break our previous record. With over 208,000 votes already in, a little over 154,000 more votes are needed to surpass the 70 percent participation mark.

Vermont Business Magazine The Ethan Allen Institute released its officially updated legislator “Roll Call Profiles” today to reflect the key votes from the August and September 2020 legislative session. This short session’s highlighted legislation includes votes on overriding Governor Scott’s veto of the Global Warming Solutions Act, more comprehensive Act 250 development restrictions and new deadly force standards for police.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Department of Public Safety will receive $1,115,736 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for state management costs as a result of the major disaster declaration for Vermont’s COVID-19 Pandemic.

This grant is funded through FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant program which reimburses communities for actions taken in the immediate response and during recovery from a disaster. Eligible applicants include states, federally recognized tribal governments, U.S. territories, local governments, and certain private non-profit organizations. The grant applications are submitted from the state, which coordinates the process with local governments.

FEMA obligates funding for this project directly to the state of Vermont.

To date, FEMA has obligated more than $13.6 million to Vermont under the Public Assistance program.

Vermont Business Magazine Four times each year, New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU) selects recipient organizations at random to receive $625 each, for a total of $10,000 annually. NEFCU’s community giving donations for the third quarter of 2020 were: The Snelling Center for Government and Berlin Elementary School.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the statement below following President Trump’s recent false statement that it is inappropriate and illegal to count ballots after Election Day, and the Supreme Court’s ruling in Democratic National Committee v. Wisconsin Legislature, where Justice Kavanaugh’s concurring opinion contains incorrect information regarding voting: "In America, we count the votes to determine who wins an election."

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today 29 new cases of COVID-19 with four hospitalized. The cases related to the Montpelier ice rink are up to 70 and they have spread beyond the original contacts and now to several schools and businesses. The VDH is reminding people to play it safe for Halloween, but you can still have fun by keeping with the usual guidance of wearing a mask, keeping your distance and avoiding crowds.

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center has opened a new Specimen Collection Center (SCC) in the former Physiatry and Physical Medicine space on the Allen Street side of the hospital. This new location will improve the service, flow, and safety of specimen collection at the hospital. (Physiatry and Physical Medicine is now part of the Vermont Orthopaedic Clinic practice located in the newly opened Thomas W. Huebner medical Office Building.)