Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) shared the story of Martha Richards, a Vermonter who is enrolled in the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) expanded Medicaid program. Senators are highlighting the devastating effects of the Supreme Court potentially overturning the ACA in the midst of a global pandemic. The ACA provides insurance for more than 20 million Americans and protections for the 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions.

Vermont Business Magazine School for International Training has received accreditation for its milestone EdD in Global Education, SIT Graduate Institute’s first doctorate, as well as the first degree of its kind offered by a US-based higher education institution. This new degree program deepens SIT’s dedication to advancing international education and positions the institution to play a vital role in shaping the field for years to come.

by Joyce Marcel, Vermont Business Magazine Thanks to Governor Phil Scott and Commissioner of Health Dr Mark Levine (with an assist from Dr Anthony Fauci), Vermont spent the spring and summer beating down COVID-19. Because almost everyone wore their masks, washed their hands and kept their distance from one another, we may have a ski season.

Vermont Business Magazine Here are the Vermont skier visits from the 2019-20 season, as provided by Ski Vermont, along with the previous nine seasons for context. Vermont Business Magazine archives provide historic skier visits back to 1963. While this past season’s decline of approximately 12 percent may seem modest, it is important to note a few things: The regional decline in skier visits was approximately 8 percent, with Vermont’s being higher due to some of our ski areas typically staying open longer into the spring. By early summer, the financial loss to the industry due to COVID-19 was estimated at $100M from lost winter business, softer spring season pass sales and a late start to summer business, combined.

Vermont Business Magazine In response to the current pandemic and changes to lane structure underway on South Winooski Ave, the Department of Public Works is launching a pilot payment system at Marketplace Garage to minimize contact and improve entry/exit efficiency. On October 14, the entrance and exit gates will be raised at the popular downtown garage and customers will be required to start a parking session before leaving the facility by using ParkMobile, Burlington’s pay-by-cell app, or a kiosk on the ground floor.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced that the forms and applications used for driver’s permits, licenses, and non-driver identification cards are now available in nine foreign languages, pursuant to the New Americans Act. Additionally, the legislation updates an outdated policy to allow the use of an interpreter during a driver’s license road test.

Elaine Pinckney, Superintendent of Schools I am writing to you tonight to let you know that a member of our Williston school community has tested positive for COVID-19. While we certainly hoped that we would remain COVID-free, we expected this eventuality and we are prepared with a plan to respond to it. Earlier this afternoon, our team met with the Vermont Department of Health (DOH) to plan our response. We are confident that we’ve shared all critical information with the Vermont Department of Health and that they are poised to follow up with all potentially close contacts. On Monday morning, they will begin contacting all families whose students are potentially impacted.

Leonine Public Affairs The 2020 legislative session was not a single session, it doesn’t even feel like it was a single reality. Virtually everything that happened after March 13 was unprecedented on every level - priorities, process, politics, timeline and indeed the election. It is therefore difficult to summarize the 2020 legislative session, at least without taking months to write a history book about it.

by Laura Malieswski Strike up a conversation with the locals at one of the general stores in West Burke and you’re bound to hear a little history of the village in its heyday. Depending on their age, it might be a firsthand account or one passed on to them from parents and grandparents who remember West Burke Village as a bustling railroad stop where the historic Mill Pond and adjacent bandstand were the town center.

Vermont Business Magazine For the first time ever, Burlington City Arts moved its annual art auction online—and it was a resounding success. Anticipated to draw in about $30,000, the event raised over $63,000, returning $22,000 to participating artists and generating $41,000 for BCA’s arts-based learning programs. The auction featured the works of over 60 local artists working in a variety of media, ranging from Lincoln-based Rory Jackson’s oil paintings to Burlington artist Shana Bentley’s handmade earrings and Waterbury artist Jeremy Ayers’ handmade stoneware bowl.

Vermont Business Magazine The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce (OVRCC) was recently awarded a Restart VT Regional Marketing & Stimulus Grant from the VT Department of Tourism. This successful application was the result of a regional collaboration with joint applications from other partners including the communities of Chester, Londonderry, Ludlow & Weston. Individual community grants of $10,000 each were maximized to a larger $40,000 project benefitting the entire Okemo Valley region.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University’s Design+Build Collaborative earned a design excellence Merit Award from the American Institute of Architects, New England chapter for a project to design and build NEST, an outdoor classroom/playhouse as part of playground renovations at Montpelier’s Union Elementary School. Their entry was on of 163 from across the region.