Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today two new cases of COVID-19 statewide for a total of 1,366. As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the South and West, we ask Vermonters to be prepared in case the virus spreads back toward our state. Though Vermont is holding steady, keeping up the key prevention efforts is critical to helping our fellow Vermonters, health care workers, and school communities planning to open this fall.

Vermont State Police On Wednesday morning Troopers from the Vermont State Police were dispatched to a reported industrial accident in the area of 390 Blake Roy Road, Middlebury. Upon arrival, troopers learned that two GMP linemen were injured when the utility pole that they were working on suddenly broke. Preliminary investigation indicates that linemen Josh McLean and Jared Allen were removing three phase lines from a utility pole and had begun to send equipment to the ground level when the pole suddenly broke at its base. The pole then fell striking a tracked vehicle and broke a second time. Allen landed on the ground adjacent to the pole; McLean landed on the ground with the pole partially on top of him.

​Vermont Business Magazine As a part of services the Vermont Department of Labor continues to provide Vermonters amidst COVID-19, the Department has announced a series of Virtual Job Fair events starting on Thursday, July 23. Through this series of Virtual Job Fairs, the Department of Labor will highlight local employers, and allow job seeking Vermonters to ask questions directly to employers and learn more about local career opportunities.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger released the following statement on the failure of the CityPlace Burlington developer to fulfill its obligations. The mayor is giving developer Brookfield Properties "a short window of time to return with an acceptable proposal for moving forward with the project." If not, the city will find Brookfield in default. Mayor Weinberger in a letter made public today said if the developer abandoned the project it would constitute "a breach of faith and betrayal of trust." The mayor said the city would consider taking some of the land, would demand reimbursement of costs and would pursue "aggressive legal action."

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Senator Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vermont) amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to cut America’s $740 billion military budget by 10 percent to invest in jobs, health care, and education secured the support of 23 members of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development has announced that the first economic recovery grant payments are being sent to Vermont businesses as of today. Between ACCD and the Vermont Department of Taxes, $45 million is now on the way to Vermont businesses in need. Applications are continuing to be processed, but there is still money available.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees, and Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, on Tuesday introduced the No WHO Withdrawal Act to block President Trump’s attempt to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) and prohibit congressionally appropriated funds from being used to execute a withdrawal.

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) wrote to Attorney General William Barr and Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe on Tuesday, demanding information on whether and how the Trump administration has halted mass surveillance programs authorized by now-expired Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) provisions under the USA FREEDOM Act. The senators also demanded information on whether the administration is conducting surveillance that bypasses their statutory authorities, under any illegal claim of inherent surveillance powers.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Business Magazine According to a national financial firm, Vermont continues to have some of the most restrictive guidelines regarding economic recovery from COVID-19, but also has the best outcome, as measured by death rate. WalletHub released its data and report on Monday. Overall, Vermont ranked 43rd for restrictions. Vermont’s COVID-19 fatality rate has been 9 deaths per 100,000 as compared with other parts of the Northeast, which range from 29 to 165 deaths per 100,000. Governor Phil Scott indicated Tuesday that he may institute some level of a mask mandate as early as Friday as other states and the nation as a whole has seen a surge of new COVID-19 cases.

Vermont Business Magazine An economic relief grant program now available will provide grants of $5,000, $7,500 or $10,000 to qualifying sole proprietors through a lottery draw. The program is funded through $1.5 million from the US Housing and Urban Development’s CDBG Program, and passed through ACCD. The application window opened Monday, July 20, 2020 and grants will be awarded through a lottery system on August 14, 2020.

https://www.vermont-cdbg-cv.com/

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University in Northfield has received $17,000 from the High Meadows Fund to support the Center for Global Resilience and Security (CGRS) in its work promoting resilient communities via the Resilient Vermont (RVT) Network. This $17,000 award will support the administration of some of the network programming including developing monthly resilience calls, moving the Academic Resilience Collaborative forward through research-based problem solving in Vermont communities and planning future workshops, conferences and networking platforms. The grant will greatly strengthen the commitment that CGRS and Norwich University’s Office of Academic Research have made to Resilient Vermont with internal funding, personnel, resources and facilities.

Vermont Business Magazine Four times each year, New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU) selects four recipient organizations at random to receive $625 each, for a total of $10,000 annually. NEFCU’s community giving donations for the second quarter of 2020 were:

The Howard Center—Children, Youth, and Family Programs. Founded in 1865 to serve widows and orphans of the Civil War, Howard Center today is a national leader in delivering integrated, community-based support for individuals, families, and communities.

Age Well—Meals on Wheels Program. Age Well uses Vermont experience to be a nationally recognized leader in promoting healthy aging, independence, dignity, and personalized choice for older adults.

Burlington Dismas House – Dismas House is a supportive community providing housing for former prisoners transitioning from incarceration.