Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today at his press briefing extended his State of Emergency another month to September 15. It was set to expire Saturday. He also is allowing, as part of the amended executive order, any local municipality to set their own limits on gathering sizes and also allowing them to limit alcohol sales and set a curfew based on hours for those sales. Scott in particular is responding to concerns in Burlington as college students return. The governor also mentioned that around the nation, spikes in new cases have come from large parties often associated with groups larger than those allowed. The governor also said that Vermont now has the lowest per capita number of COVID-19 cases as well as the fewest total cases.

by Secretary of State Jim Condos Today Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos issued a statement in response to the President’s remarks that he would block critical funding for the United States Postal Service (USPS) in an effort to suppress mail voting.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) today announced that long-time State Parks Director Craig Whipple is retiring. During his 14 years as Director of State Parks, Whipple was instrumental in creating many programs that have increased access to the parks, including the First Day Hikes series of free, guided New Year’s Day hikes at parks across the state; the Parks prescription program that provides free state parks day-use passes prescribed by physicians; and the Venture Vermont outdoor challenge that encourages families to explore the outdoors and receive a free state parks pass for their adventures.

Vermont Business Magazine The City of South Burlington has selected Marathon Health, a provider of onsite health centers that enable employer organizations to optimize the health of their workforce, to offer employees and their families primary care, health assessments, lifestyle coaching, and chronic condition management. Employees from Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), an organization dedicated to helping students of all ages achieve their educational goals, Hickok & Boardman HR Intelligence, a human resources and employee benefits consulting firm in Burlington, and Twincraft Skincare, a natural skincare product manufacturer in Winooski and Essex, are joining the City of South Burlington to offer access to the health center. A nurse practitioner and medical assistant staff the health center, which opened July 8, 2020.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I) and Representative Peter Welch (D) Friday welcomed the award of $2.1 million in federal CARES Act funds to capitalize and administer Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs) that will provide critical gap financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic across Vermont. The grants are administered by the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA).

​Vermont Business Magazine The Small Business Administration is sending a cyber warning alert to loan applicants seeking federal aid in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Email phishing campaigns are where malicious actors are impersonating the SBA and its Office of Disaster Assistance to collect personally identifiable information for fraudulent purposes have surfaced. The SBA is particularly concerned about scam emails targeting applicants of the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program asking them to verify their accounts using a third-party online platform to collect personally identifiable information.

Vermont Business Magazine A new analysis by Airlines for America (A4A) – the industry trade group representing major US carriers – shows which states are experiencing the greatest impact on air service and air-travel demand amid the COVID-19 health crisis. Vermont is in the top ten worst in number of canceled flights and reduction in passengers. According A4A analysis of published schedules, New York has been the hardest hit state in the country, having experienced the largest decrease in scheduled departures from July 2019 to July 2020. New York experienced a 70% decline in scheduled passenger flights. New Jersey is the second-most impacted state, experiencing a 67% decline in scheduled passenger flights.

Vermont Business Magazine The Health Department announced today that Daniel Batsie has been appointed the new director of the Division of Emergency Preparedness, Response and Injury Prevention. Batsie previously served as the department’s Emergency Medical Services Chief for four years. The VDH also reported today that there were six new cases of COVID-19 for a statewide total of 1,484. There are two hospitalized and deaths are holding at 58.

by Win Smith, President, Sugarbush Resort When we announced the decision to sell Sugarbush to Alterra Mountain Company this past November, I said that I would continue as President and Chief Operating Officer for awhile in order to ensure a smooth transition and to make certain that the right successor was ready to take the reins. Now, nine months later, I believe that the time is right to step down, and I will be retiring from my enjoyable second career effective September 1. I will, however, remain a senior advisor, acting as a resource for our leadership team as needed.

​Vermont Business Magazine Sugarbush Resort has announced that John Hammond, formerly Vice President of Mountain Operations and Recreational Services, will be stepping into the role of President and Chief Operating Officer. The announcement coincides with former owner and current President and COO, Win Smith, announcing his retirement. While Smith will continue on as an advisor to the current leadership team, he leaves behind a lasting legacy at Sugarbush, having owned the resort from September, 2001 to January, 2020.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the recipients of $3.2 million in Downtown and Village Center tax credits to support 30 projects in 27 Vermont communities. The tax credits will support over $160 million in downtown, village center and rehabilitation projects. This includes over $500,000 to support redevelopment of two properties in downtown Springfield: a former manufacturing facility that will be converted into multi-family housing, and the former Park Street School, which will be redeveloped into a multi-use facility with space for a business accelerator with co-working and private commercial space, studio apartments, and community use of the former gymnasium and 800-seat theater.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is reminding customers that enhanced rebates on products that help save energy and money while reducing carbon pollution will close at the end of the month. GMP’s popular Go, Save and Share Green initiative increased rebates on electric mowers, electric bikes, heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. To get the larger rebates, customers need proof of purchase on or before August 31.