Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I), and Representative Peter Welch (D) Friday issued the following statement to inform farmers and agribusinesses of newly available assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is now available to farm businesses in addition to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Kamala D Harris (D-Calif.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass) on Friday introduced the Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act, legislation that provides a monthly $2,000 check to those struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic. As rent comes due and bills continue to pile up, Americans desperately need assistance to financially survive this crisis.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced that Comcast will begin a network expansion project this year to extend broadband service to more than 430 addresses in seven Vermont communities, including Arlington, Berlin, Derby, Newport Town, Salisbury, Sheldon and Winhall. Comcast plans to begin rolling-out services this summer and complete the project by the end of 2020.

Vermont Business Magazine On Monday, May 4, Governor Phil Scott announced that hospitals could resume elective outpatient services. In early March, the Governor directed health systems to put on hold non-urgent appointments and procedures as Vermont prepared for, and responded to, COVID-19. This week, Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) outpatient surgeries and diagnostic services, like those for imaging and laboratory work, resumed in full with enhanced safety protocols. One important protocol implemented is that all patients should arrive to the hospital or clinic with their own cloth face covering and it must be worn for the entire duration of their visit.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermonters are more worried than most about an extended recession due to COVID-19 and are sleeping less because of that worry. However, they seem to be eating healthier during the emergency order to "Stay Home, Stay Safe." While 98% of Flatten the Curve respondents nationwide indicate they did their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 and 36% are experiencing more feelings of gratitude, the data points to a significant increase in worry across the United States – estimated as more than 230% – due to the pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported that there were eight new cases of COVID-19 statewide for a total of 916. There was one new death, for 53. Hospitalizations are down to 14 from 26. And there are 718 people known to have recovered. Also, the Health Department staff teamed up with Northeast Kingdom Emergency Medical Services units Wednesday as part of a training to conduct specimen collection for COVID-19 testing. The EMS units are among 10 around the state being trained by the department to help Vermont meet the goal of collecting 1,000 specimens a day. The units will supplement Health teams in settings such as long-term care facilities. EMS professionals may also provide mobile specimen collection for those who are unable to travel to testing sites.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing that two grantees in the state of Vermont have been selected to receive $800,000 to assess and clean up contaminated properties under the agency’s Brownfields Program. These funds will aid under-served and economically disadvantaged communities around the state in assessing and cleaning up abandoned industrial and commercial properties.

Agency of Commerce & Community Development Effective May 7, 2020, all businesses and non-profit and government entities that support or offer outdoor recreation and outdoor fitness activities that require low or no direct physical contact may begin operations. These include state and municipal parks, recreation associations, trail networks, golf courses, big game check stations, and guided expeditions. Restart guidance from ACCD provides additional details and the mandatory steps businesses must take before they can reopen. The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation has also created guidance for Vermonters participating in outdoor activities while maintaining social distancing. Campgrounds, marinas and beaches are not yet allowed to open.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont River Conservancy (VRC) received an $10,000 Upper Missisquoi & Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic grant as part of the River Community Grants Program, to create a management plan and conduct site improvements for a public access site on the Missisquoi River. Several years ago, VRC worked with landowners Bruce and Anne McKay to help realize their vision of merging a portion of their property with the Village of North Troy parcel below Big Falls State Park, to improve public access and increase conservation benefits of this important land on the Missisquoi River.

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 work and "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 fell by over 17,000 in one week. The previous week set a record that exceeded 81,000 claims. For the week ending May 2, 2020, the Department processed 3,875 Initial Claims, down 1,242 from the previous week but 3,495 more than the same time last year. Total new and continuing claims are 64,410, a decrease of 17,164 from the previous week and 60,155 more than the same time last year. Initial claims spike four weeks ago.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees has named Dr Jonathan Spiro interim president of Castleton University. Dr Spiro will begin as interim president June 1 and serve until a search committee names a permanent president. Dr Spiro provides a wealth of administrative and education experience, having served in a variety of academic posts since his arrival at Castleton in 2002. During his time at Castleton, he has served as interim provost, academic dean, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, and Chair of the Department of History, Geography, Economics, & Political Science.

Public Assets Institute During the first month of the pandemic, Congress scrambled to pass multiple aid packages aimed at helping states and individuals prepare for and respond to the crisis. But whether that will be enough to meet Vermonters’ needs is anyone’s guess. The packages approved in Washington include increased unemployment benefits, limited paid leave, funds to hospitals and other medical providers, and one-time direct payments to low- and moderate-income individuals, as well as additional program dollars for child care subsidies, education, community development, and other priorities.