Current News

Vermont Business Magazine After careful analysis and consideration, the Board of Directors of Strolling of the Heifers, Inc has taken action to suspend all operations. With a heavy heart, this action is taken due to the impact that COVID-19 has had on the financial operations of Strolling of the Heifers that is very dependent on the annual parade and associated events for its operation.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the second round of the Frontline Employee Hazard Pay Grant Program, which was passed by the Legislature. This round expands the types of employers who are now eligible to apply and includes employees who worked for an eligible employer last spring during the worst of the pandemic in Vermont but are no longer working for that employer. The first round distributed approximately $28 million to those primarily in the healthcare and human services fields. The first round covered approximately 370 employer applications, equating to approximately 15,650 employees who received a grant. The second round expands the employer type to include sectors such as pharmacies, grocery stores and certain retail, and appropriates an additional $22.5 million.

Vermont Business Magazine The Thomas W Huebner Medical Office Building at Rutland Regional Medical Center was officially dedicated on Monday. The new building, which is adjacent to the hospital on Allen Street in Rutland, is the new home for the Vermont Orthopaedic Clinic, Physiatry services and ENT & Audiology. The virtual Ribbon Cutting Ceremony took place outside of the building with participants flanking the building’s namesake, Tom Huebner, former President and CEO of the hospital. Due to COVID-19 and safety protocols, comments for the building’s opening were pre-recorded and the final ribbon cutting footage was added to the video to capture the building’s story and purpose.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Commerce and Community Development has received a $300,000 exporting grant to assist small businesses in the state. The grant is awarded through the Small Business Administration's State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), a federal-state partnership initiative to increase the number of small businesses exporting their products. Since STEP was established in 2010, Vermont has received a STEP grant each year. Vermont has received more than $2.3 million in STEP grants.

Vermont Business Magazine Middlebury is now in an Expanded Phase 2 of its reopening. Middlebury sent a message to students Tuesday with updates about the remainder of the fall semester that offer some additional on-campus living and learning opportunities to promote community connection. Examples include dining hall choice and expanded lounge access.

Vermont Business Magazine Union Bankshares, Inc (NASDAQ - UNB) today announced results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and declared a regular quarterly cash dividend. Consolidated net income for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was $4.1 million, or $0.92 per share, compared to $2.7 million, or $0.62 per share, for the same period in 2019 and $9.0 million, or $2.01 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $7.9 million, or $1.77 per share, for the same period in 2019.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Department of Justice announced an $8.3 billion global resolution of its criminal and civil investigations into the opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma LP. The resolutions with Purdue are subject to the approval of the bankruptcy court. The scheme to use medical alert software to boost sales of opioids was uncovered by the US Attorney’s office in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), along with 19 other senators, on Wednesday sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr, urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to rescind its support of the Supreme Court lawsuit that seeks to invalidate the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In the letter, the senators spotlight how health insurance protections for millions of Americans are at stake in light of the current Supreme Court nomination fight and the ways in which health insurers could discriminate against millions more people who contract COVID-19 if the pre-existing protections in the ACA are gutted.

Vermont Business Magazine If you need help with paying off your utility bill, you may be eligible for a grant from the Vermont COVID-19 Arrearage Assistance Program (VCAAP). The program is available to Vermont residential utility customers and small businesses. About $3 million of the $8 million available has been awarded. The funding came from federal CARES Act funding, which has provided monies to states to help pay for COVID-19–related costs incurred as of March 1, 2020, and through December 30, 2020.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting 16 new cases of COVID-19. They remind Vermonters that anyone can get the virus, including children, who tend to be asymptomatic. Children make up 13% of Vermont’s COVID-19 cases, with 30% of them 18 or 19 years old.

Vermont Business Magazine Today Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos encouraged Vermont voters to make their early voting plan, and to return their voted ballot using the safe, secure early voting option of their choice. If returning by mail, voters are encouraged to place their voted ballots in the mail no later than Saturday October 24th.

Vermont Business Magazine The recipients of the 2020 Wellness and Physical Activity Grants for Student Programs have been announced. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) Windham County Community Advisory Board has been inviting local schools and programs serving youth in Windham County to apply for these grants for the past seven years. The grants, totaling between $3,500-$5,000 each year, support innovative programming designed to encourage youth health and wellness programming.