Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, calls for police reform and an end to systemic racism have echoed across the country, including Vermont. What do Vermonters make of recent calls for police reform? What does reform look like at this moment? Join VPR and Vermont PBS for a virtual community conversation on Thursday, June 18 at 7 pm. Co-hosts Peter Hirschfeld (VPR) and Traci Griffith (St Michael's College) will lead a discussion about issues of race, injustice and policing in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced several measures to gradually ease restrictions on Vermonters in long-term care facilities, hospitals and those over the age of 65. Starting June 19, Long-Term Care Residential facilities can allow for up to two (2) visitors per resident, per day. The visits must be conducted outside only and adhere to guidance issued by DAIL around social distancing, temperature checks, facial coverings and record keeping of all visitors. Visitors are still not allowed inside. But the new guidance allows congregating by residents outside, but outside only.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will resume commercial vehicle learner’s permit (CDP) testing on Thursday, June 18. Customers may begin scheduling appointments for their permit tests now by calling (802) 828-2000 or completing the online appointment scheduling form on the DMV website.

Vermont Business Magazine With protests against racial inequality taking place all across the nation and the black unemployment rate consistently above the rate for white people, financial adviser WalletHub today released its report on the State Economies with the Most Racial Equality, along with accompanying videos and audio files. According to WalletHub, Vermont’s economy has the 8th most racial equality in the US.

Vermont Business Magazine In response to the financial crisis and economic downturn faced by Vermont consumers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vermont credit unions have provided nearly $385 million in support since the first virus cases were documented in the Green Mountain State.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced its phased restart plan to resume motorcycle permit and endorsement testing is under way. Testing began on Monday, June 15.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has partnered with the Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living (DAIL) and Vermont State Police (VSP) to create visor cards to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing communicate with law enforcement officers if they are pulled over while driving.

Vermont Business Magazine For a second year in a row, NBT Bank has earned a spot on the Forbes World’s Best Banks list released on June 8, 2020. NBT is one of only 75 banks in the United States to be included on this list, out of the tens of thousands of financial institutions globally that are able to be considered for the recognition.

Vermont Business Magazine The Health Department reported today that there were no new cases associated with the COVID-19 outbreak that first emerged in Winooski. The total remains at 83 cases as of Monday evening. They continue to test residents and trace contacts of cases to contain the outbreak. Nearly 3,000 people have been tested to date at the Winooski and Burlington sites. There have been no deaths or hospitalizations associated with the outbreak. Statewide there were three new cases reported, with no deaths in over two weeks and only two hospitalized.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Governor Scott on Wednesday is expected to announce new visitation guidelines for long-term care facilities (nursing homes, etc). He indicated the new guidelines were coming at his press briefing on Monday. In his State of Emergency declaration on March 13, 2020, the governor prohibited visitation into nursing homes. Two long term care facilities in Burlington witnessed early outbreaks and several deaths because of COVID-19.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Zero Gravity Craft Brewery in Burlington announced Tuesday, June 16, that it has recently reached an agreement to purchase brewing equipment and expand into the previous Magic Hat Brewing facility in South Burlington. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close July 1 and is subject to federal permitting. Magic Hat Brewing Company will shift production to FIFCO USA’s newly modernized brewery in Rochester, NY. Some Magic Hat beers, including select packages of #9, are already brewed there. As Magic Hat moves to Rochester, NY, Zero Gravity will utilize this space to expand their production and packaging capacity.

Vermont Business Magazine Cities and towns could get some financial assistance as property tax payments lag during the pandemic. Vermont State Treasurer Beth Pearce, working with the General Assembly, Vermont League of Cities and Towns and the Vermont Bankers Association, today announced the launch of the Municipal Emergency Statewide Education Property Tax Borrowing Program to assist municipalities as they manage their finances and cash flow needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.