Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Shelburne-based One Day In July has launched its Environmental Investing platform. One Day In July believes it is possible to save and invest for your future while supporting important environmental initiatives. With a focus on environmental and sustainability issues, they have strategically selected a group of index funds constructed by trusted organizations that allow them to build diversified portfolios based on two primary environmental impact factors - carbon intensity and fossil fuel reserves. While there are dozens of metrics that can be used to measure environmental impact, these factors address climate change most directly.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today continues to investigate a possible outbreak of COVID-19 in the Manchester region. Currently, 58 people have tested positive through antigen testing performed at the health center. Antigen tests are a newer type of test that provide results much more quickly than PCR tests (the most common type of test used to diagnose COVID-19 infection). While they are a useful tool for screening patients, antigen tests may have a higher chance of missing an active infection and need to be confirmed. As for confirmed cases today, there were 13 new cases statewide.

Vermont Business Magazine A sudden increase in the number of positive antigen tests for COVID-19 in the Manchester region has prompted Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) to stand up a COVID-19 pop-up site offering PCR tests. In partnership with the Town of Manchester and Riley Rink, the SVHC pop-up site opened Wednesday, July 15 for drive-up testing between 9 am to 3 pm, and remain open as many days as necessary. Once patient volume subsides, the pop-up testing location will transition to the SVMC Northshire Campus in Manchester.

Vermont Business Magazine Union Bankshares, Inc (NASDAQ - UNB), based in Morrisville, today announced results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and declared a regular quarterly cash dividend. Consolidated net income for the three months ended June 30, 2020 were $2.7 million, or $0.60 per share, compared to $2.5 million, or $0.56 per share, for the same period in 2019 and $4.9 million, or $1.09 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2020, compared to $5.2 million, or $1.15 per share, for the same period in 2019.

Second Quarter Highlights

Consolidated net income increased $138 thousand, or 5.4%, to $2.7 million for the second quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter of 2019 due to increases in net interest income of $271 thousand and noninterest income of $517 thousand, partially offset by increases in the provision for loan losses of $350 thousand and noninterest expenses of $311 thousand.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Retail and Grocers Association (VRGA) and the Vermont Specialty Food Association (VSFA) have partnered with an exceptional team of panelists to help businesses through the creation and implementation of a business interruption plan that will prepare them for any crises that may arise in the future, including a potential second wave of COVID-19.

Vermont Business Magazine Castleton University announced Wednesday that it will offer students and families the option of a residential campus experience for the fall 2020 semester and deliver its academic courses online. This reverses the college's plan for in-person instruction. The new plan, the president says, offers the benefits of both online teaching and a residential campus experience. Under the plan, any student who chooses to live in the residence halls may do so by signing a pledge to adhere to robust social distancing protocols. Castleton had announced on June 12 that in-person instruction would resume this fall with students returning to campus as early as August 18.

Vermont Business Magazine The Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce announced two upcoming Webinars designed to help local businesses in different ways. The first webinar on July 15th at 2:00pm, “Pandemics, Politics, and Planning: A Market and Economic Discussion,” features a discussion about both local and global markets with the People's United Advisors' senior investment and planning team. Governor announced on Tuesday the COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program for dairy producers and processors who have experienced income loss, additional expenses, and market disruption as a result of the pandemic. The application opens Friday, July 17th with $25 million available for businesses through the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund.

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland-based Pure Water for the World, Inc (PWW) announces the official launch of a comprehensive UNICEF-sponsored program, entitled, “Humanitarian WASH Response to Communities Affected by Drought in the Dry Corridor in Honduras." The comprehensive impact program is funded by UNICEF Honduras Country Office (CO), with the support of the underfunded emergencies window of the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), to be partly implemented by UNICEF Honduras CO’s implementing partner Pure Water for the World (PWW), in close coordination with partner UN Agencies, Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Program, in four municipalities located in the drought area of El Paraíso, Honduras.

Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center While we will continue to work remotely when we can, if desired, we're ready to visit you at your facility to assist you. We're committed to safely adapting our work practices to help you while maintaining the health, safety and well-being of your staff and ours too. View a short video to hear how we will help you navigate the "new" manufacturing landscape and what lies ahead - with responsiveness and resiliency.

Northeastern Vermont Development Association Governor Phil Scott announced Tuesday that he will extend the State of Emergency today until August 15. He has been extending it on a month-by-month basis. When announcing the extension this week, Governor Scott urged Vermonters and out-of-state visitors to quarantine after returning to the state, stating that vigilance is allowing safe re-openings. "It's not time to let your guard down."

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting a possible outbreak in southern Vermont, but more testing needs to be done. Dr Levine said the department is currently responding to a report of over 30 people who tested positive through antigen testing at a clinic in Manchester. Antigen tests may not be as accurate as PCR tests. Dr Levine also noted that even if you have quarantined as mandated out-of-state, if you then take mass transit (plane, train, bus) to get to Vermont, it negates your quarantine and you must then do so for 14 days here (or seven days with a negative test) once you arrive.

Vermont Business Magazine Beginning Tuesday, July 14, individuals who established an initial claim for unemployment insurance benefits with the Vermont Department of Labor may receive a phone call to confirm their identity and intent to file. This extra step is being taken to protect Vermonters against fraudulent filers using their personal information. This type of “imposter fraud” has been on the rise across the country.

Individuals may ask the Department’s call center representative to provide further information to identify themselves, or if they do not feel comfortable providing information to the representative, the claimant can call the trusted Claimant Assistance Line at 877-214-3332 and select ‘Identity Confirmation’ from the menu options to connect with a call center representative. Claimants who do not validate their identity with the Department of Labor, if contacted, will likely see a delay in the processing and payment for their claim.