Current News

Vermont Business Magazine To honor front line healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic, the University of Vermont will illuminate the Davis Center in blue lights each night beginning about 8 pm. UVM plans to light the Davis Center in blue indefinitely.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today at his press briefing outlined some additional openings as part of the phased restart of Vermont’s economy, introduced last week. The new order will allow outdoor operations, some construction and manufacturing to operate with five or fewer employees (up from two), while outdoor retail operations like garden centers are allowed up to 10 total people between staff and customers. Farmers markets with strict social distancing guidelines will reopen May 1. Employees of currently opened or reopening businesses are required to wear face masks; customers are encouraged but not mandated to do so.

Vermont Business Magazine A recent study reveals some important Vermont statistics, including that the state ranks near the top in healthcare. Vermont placed fifth overall in the rankings, with New England states Massachusetts and Connecticut in the top two spots, North Dakota third and Iowa fourth. Vermont ranked well for total insurance coverage, overall health and infant survival, while struggling with staffing and insurance premium costs.

Vermont Business Magazine Hardwick's Town Manager has signed a Financial Award Letter from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for a $3 million investment in the Hardwick Yellow Barn Accelerator Project. The EDA investment is funded under its Public Works Program of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965. The award is the latest development in a three-year effort to establish a best-in-class production space for new and expanding businesses. The project - called "Yellow Barn" for short - will consist of a new multi-purpose accelerator alongside an adaptive reuse of the historic yellow barn, which is already an iconic presence along the Route 15 gateway to downtown Hardwick.

Vermont Business Magazine This week, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) issued a series of recommendations for reforming the Bennington Police Department (BPD). The report was commissioned by town officials after the Vermont Branches of the NAACP and ACLU of Vermont demanded an investigation, following revelations that Bennington officials withheld relevant evidence from Attorney General T.J. Donovan’s investigation into the harassment of Vermont state legislator Kiah Morris.

Vermont Business Magazine Standard Solar, Inc, a leading solar energy company based in Maryland, has announced the completion of a 3.2 megawatt (MW) solar project in Wallingford, Vermont. The project, owned and operated by Standard Solar, will provide clean energy to Vermont’s electric utilities under the state’s Standard Offer Program.

Vermont Business Magazine For the third time in a row, the University of Vermont’s sustainability efforts have achieved a Gold rating by STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System. The university achieved its highest score ever, representing a continued upward trajectory since its first report in 2014.

Vermont Business Magazine The dramatic impact that COVID-19, Novel Coronavirus, has had on families and our community has led NCSS to transition how services are delivered. In an effort to counter this insidious virus NCSS is committed to minimizing exposure to COVID-19 for all staff and individuals served while ensuring that people in our community has access to the care they need. With a focus on the health and wellbeing of the over 4,000 individuals that we serve, our staff, and the community at large; NCSS is offering many services through phone and videoconferencing platforms to maintain services while optimizing safety.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting only two more cases of COVID-19, but that the coronavirus has claimed three more lives. This includes the first death of someone in the 50-59 age range. There also was an increase of seven related hospitalizations to 44. As the state begins taking measured steps toward re-opening, it is more important than ever to make wearing cloth face coverings a habit whenever we leave home – and to be sure to wear them the right way. In a press release Thursday, the Health Department said recent data has revealed more about how the virus can spread, even before a person shows any symptoms. Since you may be infected and not know it, wearing a face covering helps protect people around you from exposure to the virus.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is extending its use of enforcement discretion through the end of this current state of emergency for retailers or redemption centers who choose to not redeem beverage containers subject to Vermont’s bottle bill law. Vermont DEC has taken this step in allowing retailers and redemption centers to temporarily stop redemption services to reduce unnecessary person-to-person contact and possible virus transmission and to let grocers focus on restocking food shelves and other needed work to assure availability of groceries.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont District Office is receiving a very high level of phone and email volume due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. In response to this situation, our office will be conducting free daily webinars to discuss SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Advance. You may join the SBA for a free webinar every weekday morning beginning Friday April 24, 2020 at 9 am.

Vermont Business Magazine As the state begins taking measured steps toward re-opening, it is more important than ever to make wearing cloth face coverings a habit whenever we leave home – and to be sure to wear them the right way. Recent data has revealed more about how the virus can spread, even before a person shows any symptoms. Droplets produced when you breathe, speak, or clear your throat can spread COVID-19 from person to person. Since you may be infected and not know it, wearing a face covering helps protect people around you from exposure to the virus.