Current News

The Colchester Milton Rotary Club’s latest project, Operation: Flags for Heroes, recognizes veterans, businesses, and community heroes by displaying flags in a prominent location, flown in their honor. Our heroes include veterans, healthcare workers, school employees, fire and safety personnel, grocery store employees and community volunteers - all those essential to our daily lives before, during, and after the pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine Today Secretary of State Jim Condos, Vermont’s Chief Election Official, announced the start of Vermont’s early voting period, and the beginning of ballots being mailed to all active, registered Vermont voters for the November 3^rd General Election.

“I am excited to announce the beginning of the mailing process for Vermont General Election ballots,” said Condos. “The hard work we have conducted planning and preparing for an election unlike any we have ever experienced will ensure that Vermont voters do not need to choose between their health and their right to vote.”

Vermont Business Magazine Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL), a leading broadband and business communications provider, today announced it has partnered with Pax8, the leader in cloud distribution, to provide business customers with an enhanced suite of cloud services, including: next generation productivity, backup, security, data management and disaster recovery solutions.

Vermont Business Magazine Scott Milne announced today that Democratic Senator Debbie Ingram (Chittenden County) has endorsed Milne’s candidacy.

“I have decided to vote for Scott Milne for lieutenant governor, and I encourage all Vermonters to do the same,” said Sen. Ingram. “Although I have been a lifelong Democrat, and am still a Democrat, I believe that Mr. Milne is the best person for this important position at this time.”

Sen. Ingram said many factors contributed to her decision: “Scott Milne has an attitude of humility, which leads him to listen to and learn from others.

Vermont Business Magazine On Monday, September 21, Democratic nominee for Vermont Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray announced endorsements from business leaders of Vermont-owned businesses from across Vermont.

“Having grown up on a farm and family-run business, I know our Vermont businesses are the heart of our state and root of our economy. Throughout this crisis and into the future, our small businesses continue to innovate and serve communities across Vermont,” Gray said, “as Lieutenant Governor, I look forward to working with our innovative business community to rebuild a more resilient, thriving and equitable Vermont for the future.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Good Food Media Network today released its 2020 Good Food 100 Restaurants List and Industry Impact Report, offering insight into the business and purchasing practices of chefs and restaurants and their commitment to good food and sustainable sourcing. The report is based on annualized food purchases and practices from the previous year. A total of 131 restaurants from around the United States participated in the fourth annual Good Food 100 Restaurants. The survey found that overall, the economic contribution of food purchases by the participating restaurants totaled $264.5 million in 2019, of which $208.2 million in economic benefits was derived from good food purchases.

Vermont Business Magazine Bar Harbor Bank & Trust was recently named a recipient of the Independent Community Bankers of America’s (ICBA) 2020 National Community Bank Service Award for extraordinary efforts to help small businesses, consumers, and their communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have been serving our community for more than 130 years and supporting our neighbors during times of prosperity and adversity,” said Curtis C. Simard, President and CEO of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all of us, and I am so proud of our team for going above and beyond to ease hardships or remove obstacles for our customers. We are grateful to be recognized by ICBA for our efforts.”

Leonine Public Affairs There is no greater signal that the session is coming to a close than the Senate passing the budget. Last week the Senate Appropriations Committee put its mark on the FY21 budget bill and the full Senate passed it unanimously on Friday. The Senate had possession of the $7.1 billion budget bill for barely a week, which is likely a record. The Senate is worried about getting their priority bills across the finish line by the end of the session, which is expected to be this coming week.

Agency of Commerce & Commerce Development Governor Phil Scott has announced updates to the current restaurant and lodging guidance. Restaurants and bars can now utilize bar seating if patrons are six feet apart and a partition is in place between the patrons and the staff behind the bar. In addition, capacity limits were removed from lodging properties, allowing them to book all of their available rooms. All mandatory safety measures, travel restrictions, quarantine requirements, and the cross state travel map remain in place.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has announced updates to the current lodging and restaurant guidance. Occupancy limits have now been removed for lodging properties, allowing lodging establishments the ability to book all available rooms. In addition, restaurants and bars can now utilize bar seating if patrons are six feet apart and a partition is in place between the patrons and the staff behind the bar. All mandatory safety measures, travel restrictions, quarantine requirements, and the cross state travel map remain in place.

Vermont Business Magazine The Snelling Center for Government announced today the graduates of the Vermont Leadership Institute Class of 2020. The Vermont Leadership Institute Class (VLI) of 2020 experienced a year like no other after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the program’s delivery. After initially postponing sessions, the Snelling Center and VLI cohort adapted via Zoom panels and discussions, eventually adding distanced, outdoor sessions following all health and safety precautions.

Vermont Business Magazine Public health and infectious disease experts, including Vermont’s Commissioner of Health Dr Mark Levine, are urging members of the public to get the influenza vaccine in September or October this year. Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), has responded by announcing a schedule of flu vaccination opportunities region wide.