Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Energy New England LLC (ENE), the largest wholesale risk management and energy trading organization serving the needs of municipal utilities in the northeastern US, has acquired Utility Services Inc (USI), a leading international services organization assisting energy companies with electric regulatory, reliability, and security standard obligations. USI will continue to operate from its Waterbury, Vermont, headquarters as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ENE, with USI President Brian Evans-Mongeon reporting directly to ENE President and CEO John G. Tzimorangas. All Vermont staff will be retained.

by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) As this health and economic crisis continues, many small businesses are still struggling. The CARES Act created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide forgivable loans to help small businesses pay workers, rent, mortgage interest, and utilities. Since the funds became available in early April, over 11,000 Vermont businesses have received a total of $1.2 billion. However, the program has fallen short in many ways.

by Devon Green, Vice President of Government Relations, VAHHS On Thursday, the legislature announced its plans for the rest of the year. They will pass a budget for the first quarter of FY21 and “ready-to-pass” bills by June 26th. Lawmakers will then spend the remainder of June passing bills that appropriate Coronavirus Relief Funds, before recessing for July and the first half of August.

by Don Turner How many Vermonters are unemployed? How many have shut the doors to their businesses, and may have to shutter them permanently? How many are struggling just to put food on the table for their family?

Those questions keep me up at night. And I know they keep Governor Scott up as well. That's why the Governor proposed a comprehensive economic recovery package--using federal money that won't raise Vermonters' state taxes--to stimulate the economy, stabilize housing, support small businesses, help farmers, protect struggling Vermonters, and more.

Vermont Business Magazine On Sunday 6/14/2020, at approximately 1231 hours, Vermont Troopers responded to a single vehicle crash on Vermont Route 16 near Horse Pond Road in the town of Wheelock, VT.

Preliminary investigation shows that the operator, Tristan Coderre (20), was travelling north on Vermont Route 16 when he drifted off the roadway, going down an embankment and striking a tree.

The injuries Coderre sustained from the crash were fatal. The crash was believed to have occurred during the early morning hours of 6/14/2020, at approximately 0130 hours.

This incident is currently under investigation and anyone who may have information on the crash is asked to contact Trooper Jason Danielsen at the St. Johnsbury Barracks at 802-748-3111.

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH

CASE#: 20A402898

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Jason Danielsen

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported that there were eight new cases of COVID-19 since Friday for a statewide total 1,127, as new cases have slowed up since the Winooski outbreak from last week led an increase of cases. There have been no new deaths for more than two weeks for a total of 55. The state also has surpassed 50,000 tests.

Vermont Business Magazine It is with heavy hearts that the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce informs the greater Bennington community that the 25th Annual Garlic and Herb Festival traditionally held on Labor Day Weekend will be postponed until Labor Day Weekend of 2021. The Southern Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival, affectionately known as “Garlicfest” by many, has been a staple of Bennington and Southern Vermont for the last 25 years on Labor Day Weekend.

Vermont Business Magazine Maine Course Hospitality Group announced on Saturday the opening of Home2 Suites by Hilton, in downtown Williston. The new Home2 by Hilton offers 100 suites, full amenities and breakfast. It is the first hotel built in Williston in 20 years.

Speaker Mitzi Johnson Yesterday, hundreds of Vermonters gathered in Montpelier in solidarity to paint BLACK LIVES MATTER on State Street in front of the capitol building. I humbly joined the painting crew. Noel Riby-Williams and Conor Casey did amazing work getting this project organized and in place in under a week. Thank you to both of them and all participants for creating such incredible work. Early this morning, it was vandalized.

Vermont Business Magazine Brett Smith, President and CEO of One Credit Union, announced the winners of the 2020 Scholarship Awards. To qualify applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better, demonstrate financial need, and be eligible for membership at One Credit Union, as well as submit a 300 word essay explaining their experience with teamwork and community building. Each of the seven winners received $1,000.

Vermont Business Magazine The Paramount Theatre announced today a repositioning of its management team effective July 1, 2020. Commencing July 1, 2020 long-time Programming Director, Eric Mallette will be promoted to the position of Interim Executive Director. Bruce Bouchard, long-time Executive Director, will remain with the theatre assuming management of fundraising and development. Mallette will continue to program the theatre’s seasons; a duty he has had the responsibility of for the past 12 years.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Mayors Coalition presented their COVID-19 related recovery priorities. Among the priorities are Act 250 reform and extension of the TIF deadline. And of course they are seeking COVID-19 relief funds to help fill budget holes. The state is also seeking federal budgetary assistance.

The Act 250 reform is sought because, as the mayors put it, they already have permit regulations and Act 250 just adds redundancy, cost and time to much needed downtown redevelopment projects.

The TIF program allows qualifying municipalities to retain some property tax revenues, in lieu of sending them to the state Education Fund, to benefit, again, downtown redevelopment. The mayors said because of the pandemic they're losing about a year from the TIF benefit.