Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Access Network (VAN), the organization of 25 Public, Educational, Government (PEG) community media centers, held its annual meeting remotely on May 1, 2020. Over 60 VAN staff/board members from 21 centers throughout the state and supporting members attended. The state’s public access staff and leadership took a break from their new, virtual workflow- including the near-constant streaming of local remote public meetings and events to take part in the meeting.

Outgoing VAN President Kevin Christopher of LCATV in Colchester noted the unprecedented virtually-held meeting: “Proceeding with our annual business meeting was important not only to take action on several items before the membership, but also for all of us to connect during a time when we might be feeling disconnected. It was a good opportunity to see familiar faces and be a little less isolated for a morning.”

Vermont Business Magazine Claimants receiving Vermont Department of Labor PUA benefits for the weeks of March 15 and/or March 22 and had filed those claims prior to May 1, received the extra federal $600 in error. The federal $600 benefit did not go into effect until the benefit week of March 29. This error required the Department to stop issuing benefits until the system’s payment calculation process was corrected and payments were reconciled. Benefits for the week of April 26 and/or May 3 will be offset to ensure accurate benefit amounts to claimants. In most cases, this will mean one whole benefit week will be withheld and the second week will be a partial payment. If claimants only filed and received benefits for March 22, then only $600 will be offset. Claimants that were underpaid due to the calculation error (did not receive the minimum $191) will be made whole in future benefit payments. The calculation error does not affect anyone who filed after May 1.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported today that there were five more cases of COVID-19 statewide for a total of 932. There were no deaths, marking a full week since the last reported death. The VDH has announced that anyone who lives or works in Vermont and does not have symptoms of COVID-19 can be tested for the virus at pop-up testing sites around the state. They encourage health care workers, first responders, child care providers, and people returning to Vermont – such as college students, people who winter out of state and second home owners – to consider being tested. The sites are led by Health Department teams, with support from EMS units and members of the Vermont National Guard. You must register before hand and time slots fill up quickly.

by Jack Hoffman, Public Assets Institute Vermont’s April revenue collections highlight the absurdity of federal rules restricting the use of the Coronavirus Relief Fund—the $150 billion that Congress appropriated in the CARES Act to help the states. The state’s personal income tax receipts dropped by two-thirds last month. Instead of taking in $184 million, as forecast, the tax department received $63 million. But according to the latest guidance Vermont can’t use its federal relief funds to close that gap—to pay for the programs and services that would have been covered by the $121 million the state didn’t collect.

Vermont State Police In April 2018, Manchester Police Department Chief Michael Hall contacted the Vermont State Police regarding an incident that had occurred in May 2017. Chief Hall reported that an amount of U.S. currency, over $2000.00, had been seized during a police investigation in 2017. This currency had been logged into the Manchester Police Department as evidence at the time of the investigation. In March 2018, it was discovered that the currency was missing from the Manchester PD evidence room.

Chief Hall contacted the Vermont State Police and requested an investigation into the matter be conducted. Manchester Police Officer Daniel Steere had been temporarily assigned as the department evidence custodian during the time that the money was believed to have gone missing.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Layoffs, furloughs and business closures due to the COVID-19 economic downturn and Governor Scott's emergency order and the subsequent "Stay Home, Stay Safe" guidance have resulted in a rush of unemployment insurance claims. But as Scott has allowed more sectors to get back to work, ongoing claims have now decreased five consecutive weeks.

Vermont Business Magazine LaunchVT has selected the seven Vermont startups that will be participating in its 2020 Accelerator. This is the eighth cohort of startups to come through LaunchVT’s acceleration program. Over the past seven years, LaunchVT has provided business development support, strategic coaching, and over $700,000 in cash and services to accelerate 51 Vermont startups.

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, May 16, 2020, the Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) will reopen the Essex Drop-Off Center (DOC) with new limits on materials and quantities, new flat fees, and new hours of operation. The Essex location joins the Williston DOC as the second CSWD facility to reopen. All other CSWD Drop-Off Centers remain closed until further notice.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I) and Representative Peter Welch (D), co-chair of the Congressional Dairy Farmer Caucus, on Wednesday led a letter to Secretary Sonny Perdue urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to do more to support dairy farmers facing an economic crisis due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Leahy is Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the most senior member of the Agriculture Committee.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement today regarding this week's coronavirus relief legislation developed by House Democrats: "In my view, however, the Senate must improve this legislation if we are to adequately address the two most urgent needs facing working families right now: health care and economic security..."

Agency of Commerce & Community Development ACCD has released updated guidance for non-essential retail and drive-in operations. This guidance, developed with the Department of Health and Department of Public Safety, goes into effect May 18, 2020 and includes reopening retail operations in a limited capacity with mandatory health and safety requirements. The Agency has provided new signage for retailers to post.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation announces that the North Hero – Grand Isle drawbridge replacement project on US Route 2 has resumed construction and the temporary drawbridge will be operational tomorrow. Mariners will be able to travel through this area daily until October 15, 2020. New channel restrictions will be in place May 18 through June 12. The channel will be restricted to a 20-foot width between openings from 7 AM until 6 PM. These restrictions will enable the contractor to complete channel interfering work, and they also provide for the safety of all waterway users and construction workers. All mariners must pass with extreme caution and NO WAKE.