Current News

Agency of Commerce & Community Development ACCD is continuing to encourage interested businesses to sign up now for the #BuyLocalVermont program. More than 1,000 businesses have registered thus far. Businesses can enroll to take part in the program now, which will launch to consumers September 8, 2020 at 11:00am. For full details on the process to sign up, and to find an informational slide deck and webinar, visit the ACCD Recovery Resource Center.

Governor Phil Scott Every year, on first weekend of September, we celebrate the workers of our nation – those who, throughout our history, have powered our economy and communities. This year, I especially want to recognize the frontline heroes of this once-in-a-century health emergency.

Vermont Business Magazine The week of September 12 – 19 has been designated as Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in Vermont. The week is part of a nationwide effort to raise public understanding of an invasive forest pest that has destroyed millions of ash trees in the U.S. This wood-boring beetle, first found in Vermont in 2018, is now confirmed in eight Vermont counties. Experience in Midwestern states has shown that once this pest is detected in an area, unless treated with insecticides, the majority of ash trees will become infested and die within a decade.

Vermont Business Magazine The Division for Historic Preservation (VDHP) and Lake Champlain Maritime Museum announced the discovery of two paddlewheels, likely fragments of the Steamboat Phoenix, which caught fire and sank exactly 201 years ago Friday on Lake Champlain. On the dark night of September 4, 1819, the Steamboat Phoenix was floating dead in the water north of Colchester Shoal and burning furiously. Passengers who were unable to board the lifeboats jumped into the water and clung to debris or swam for their lives.

Vermont Business Magazine Tom Sullivan, former president of the University of Vermont, has been elected president of the American Bar Foundation (ABF) for the 2020-2022 term. For the past two years, Sullivan served as the vice president of the foundation's Board of Directors.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has signed an executive order to accelerate a series of reforms and modernizations of public safety services in Vermont, and to initiate a comprehensive, ongoing discussion with state residents—especially historically marginalized communities—about how law enforcement can best serve communities’ needs. The governor’s Public Safety Reform Initiative immediately implements seven key short-term priorities, such as engaging Vermonters in robust participation in the modernization process; ensuring uniform, statewide policies regarding body-worn cameras and uses of force; improving and standardizing data collection by law enforcement agencies; and bolstering practices for hiring, training and promoting law enforcement officers.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) will launch the Buy Local Vermont Program to consumers on Tuesday, September 8 at 11 am. The program is funded through a $500,000 dollar allocation of Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds. More than 1,000 Vermont businesses have already enrolled in the program, which offers deals to Vermonters in the form of discounts. Vermonters will be able to register for the Buy Local Vermont program at www.thinkvermont.com/local and redeem a $30 discount offer from a participating local business.

Vermont Business Magazine VDH updated an outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the Killington area tied to a private party. There are now 17 cases associated with the outbreak, including 11 people who attended the event and six from subsequent transmission, Kelso said. Two of the new cases reported yesterday had already been identified as close contacts, and were in quarantine, preventing further spread. VDH contact tracers have reached 34 of the 49 guests who attended the event. Fifteen of them were out of state residents, and their respective state health departments were notified. Also, the state updated case forecasting and noted Vermont's continuing good news, with the lowest case count in the nation and no deaths since July. But Governor Scott urged citizens to stay vigilant, especially as schools will open on Tuesday.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Chyquan Cupe, aka “Cash,” was sentenced yesterday to nine years of imprisonment for possessing firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities and being the leader of a drug trafficking conspiracy which distributed cocaine base, heroin, and fentanyl in the Brattleboro area.

Chief U.S. District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford also sentenced Cupe to a 4-year term of supervised release to follow his imprisonment.

Vermont Business Magazine Lighting innovator Verilux from Waitsfield has been sold and is closing its headquarters. Bear Down Brands, LLC, a California-based developer of premium home, health, and wellness products, announced it had acquired Verilux at the end of June. Financial terms were not disclosed. For more than 50 years, the Vermont-based Verilux has created innovative lighting products that simulate natural light indoors for reading and seasonal light therapy. In recent years, they have expanded into UV-C light technology to help consumers safely sanitize high-touch surfaces without chemicals.

Catherine Miley, Senior Customer Happiness Specialist, told VBM this week that, "We never manufactured in Vermont; our corporate office was located in Waitsfield. We've closed that office but still plan to carry the Verilux name on strong and proud."

Vermont Business Magazine The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is pleased to announce the commitment of three years of funding from longtime funder, partner, and supporter Siegel Family Endowment (SFE). The grant totals $2.8 million over the next three years, and targets programs and work that will help the organization scale its efforts to bring digital economy jobs to small town America and close the rural opportunity gap.

Vermont Business Magazine Deputy Secretary of Administration Brad Ferland announced his retirement effective October 30 after 31 years of service to Vermonters. As Chief of Operations, Kristin Clouser has assumed many of Ferland’s duties to allow him to focus on COVID-19 matters, including state procurement and contracts, risk management, insurance, and day to day operational oversight.