Current News

Vermont Business Magazine To support artists facing unprecedented challenges to their creative practices, the BCA Foundation announces the BCA Artist Relief Fund, accessible to Burlington’s creative individuals at this critical time. The BCA Artist Relief Fund provides grants of up to $500 to Burlington-based individual artists in need of additional financial assistance and artists who have lost income due to a COVID-19-related cancellation of a specific, scheduled arts opportunity between March 16 and June 30.

Vermont Business Magazine Representative Peter Welch, co-founder of the Congressional Dairy Farmer Caucus, on Tuesday led a letter to Secretary Purdue, urging the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support dairy farmers facing an economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meausres include: Paying producers to reduce production and compensating producers for milk that must be dumped.

Vermont Business Magazine In a show of gratitude toward the Ikon Pass community in these uneasy and unprecedented times, Ikon Pass announces it is doubling renewal discounts and extending the spring promotion for skiers and riders across the globe for winter 20/21. The IKON ski pass is available in Vermont at Stratton, Sugarbush, and Killington/Pico resorts.

Senator Patrick Leahy Withholding funds for WHO in the midst of the worst pandemic in a century makes as much sense as cutting off ammunition to an ally as the enemy closes in. The White House knows that it grossly mishandled this crisis from the beginning, ignoring multiple warnings and squandering valuable time, dismissing medical science, comparing COVID 19 to the common cold, and saying ‘everything will be fine.’

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan announced that he filed a lawsuit and motion for preliminary injunction to stop a price-gouging scheme involving surgical masks. The State of Vermont alleges Big Brother Security Programs, whose primary business is to own and operate public and private transportation, and its owner Shelley Palmer of Williston, Vermont, imported surgical masks that cost 10 cents each and re-sold them to Central Vermont Medical Center for $2.50 each; for at least a 500 percent mark-up.

“Protecting hospitals and medical professionals from unfair practices involving medical equipment is a top priority,” said Attorney General Donovan. “These folks are on the front lines saving lives during a public health emergency. We need to do everything we can to protect them so that they can continue to protect us.”

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) today announced the establishment of the State of Vermont Economic Mitigation & Recovery Task Force. Governor Scott directed the establishment of this task force, which is charged with providing technical assistance and expertise to mitigate the devastating short-term economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and develop strategies designed to speed long-term business and community recovery.

Governor Scott said the task force is comprised of job creators, community leaders and business representatives from each region of the state.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs, on behalf of Vermont’s 14 State’s Attorneys, provided its response to the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont (ACLU – Vermont,) request for criminal justice policy reforms during the COVID-19 pandemic. In his April 7, 2020 letter, James Lyall, Executive Director of ACLU Vermont, submitted recommendations to State’s Attorneys requesting them to exercise their powers and discretion to protect public health and to reduce the spread of the virus among our communities and those involved with the criminal justice system.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported only four new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). There was one more death, bringing the total in Vermont to 29. The total number of positive tests is 752. This is the smallest one-day increase since March 18 despite an increase in testing over the last two weeks. Dr Mark Levine said yesterday that the state was moving toward a "plateauing" in the state's infection rate.

Vermont Business Magazine As the COVID-19 pandemic in Vermont is unfolding the Vermont Historical Society is collecting images and stories of this unprecedented event. On April 14, the organization launched a website to collect photographs and stories from Vermonters who are experiencing this historic event. The COVID-19 Archive: Images and Stories from Vermont employs digital technology and crowdsourcing to provide future researchers with a resource to study the impact the coronavirus had on the lives of Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine On Thursday, April 9, 2020 the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Lois McClure-Bee Tabakin Building, located near the UVM Cancer Center, became temporary respite and lodging for health care workers who are on the front lines of the coronavirus fight. On March 27, 2020, ACS made the heartbreaking decision to suspend operations for the Hope Lodge program. Due to the growth of the pandemic, the organization could no longer ensure the health and safety of its immune-compromised cancer patient residents, nor of its volunteers and staff.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott on Monday was asked by a reporter to clarify the state’s policy on farmers markets. He said they are closed and there is no date certain when they would re-open. Like all non-essential businesses during the novel coronavirus pandemic, they are allowed to continue only as remote or “curbside” businesses. In this case, farmers can set up roadside stands or offer delivery to customers. But in order to avoid congregating, the farmers markets themselves are closed until the governor’s “Stay Home” emergency order expires, which currently is May 15.

by Gabriella Marchesi, Community News Service As state public health officials monitor the growing caseload of COVID-19 patients across Vermont, the University of Vermont’s Patrick Gym has been transformed into a 50-bed hospital site to expand efforts at the state’s largest hospital to address the virus outbreak. The University of Vermont Medical Center in conjunction with the Vermont National Guard assembled the surge site, which is now considered an extension of the main hospital, explained hospital spokeswoman Annie Mackin.