Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today extended the "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order are now in effect until midnight on May 15. This includes all the related measures. However, he and members of his administration offered on health data modeling. Current modeling shows that the mitigation measures have slowed the projected spread of COVID-19, but that the state has not yet hit its peak number of cases. But the state is ahead of even its best-case scenario in modeling revealed at the end of March.

Vermont Business Magazine-With the concern over COVID-19 and the Stay Home Stay Safe Order in place, rumors about Vermont’s fishing season are circulating fast and furious these days, and Vermont anglers are understandably concerned. This week’s report will set some things straight by answering many of the common questions we’ve been receiving, attempt to quell your fishing fears, and provide information to keep you and your family safe and healthy. Plus get some great tips for early season fishing.

With the COVID-19 virus upheaval that’s going on around the world and right here in our own backyards, Vermont anglers are understandably concerned, and in some cases confused over what it means for fishing. And since this is a fishing report, I thought it would be a great place to try and set some things straight.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced the official launch of a new online system for license renewals. This new service comes at a critical time for Vermonters and dovetails with the Governor’s March 18 directive for the DMV to transition to online, mail and phone transactions to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The DMV strongly encourages Vermonters to renew online using the simple form. Renewal notices will continue to be mailed to all license holders and will include the URL for the online service and a unique PIN needed for the online form.

Vermont Business Magazine In response to the increasing number of initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits and inquiries to its claims center, the Vermont Department of Labor will implement an alphabetized structure for the intake of weekly claims and inquiries. The structure will take effect on Sunday, April 12. The new process will reduce the number of claims assistance calls and traffic to the claimant portal by designating specific days of the week for individuals to contact the Department, based on the first letter of their last name.

by Richard Wobby, EVP, AGC Vermont I know there are new stresses and strains that we’re all going through right now. I know that in normal times, this Sunday we would be gathering with our friends and families sharing a meal and celebrating Easter. These aren’t normal times, and we’re having to adapt our lifestyles, behaviors, and businesses in ways we’ve never had to before. I’ll admit, this is hard time. It’s uncertain and scary, and I remain hopeful.

Vermont Business Magazine Union Mutual of Vermont Companies is pleased to announce a 15% “Stay Home, Stay Safe Credit” on all personal auto policies. Union Mutual was founded in 1874 on the promise of “neighbors helping neighbors.” Over 140 years later, that commitment has never been stronger. While we all work together to be good community stewards and abide by stay at home orders, we understand the financial burden many in our community face.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), is requesting the community to assist with donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today extended Vermont’s State of Emergency through May 15, which also extends the expiration date of all corresponding orders and directives issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The original State of Emergency, issued on March 13, was set to expire on April 15, as were the subsequent mitigation measures. As a result of this extension, all measures, including the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order, are now in effect until midnight on May 15.

Vermont Business Magazine A national real estate data firm has released its 2019 property tax analysis for more than 86 million U.S. single family homes, which shows that property taxes levied on single family homes in 2019 totaled $306.4 billion, up 1 percent from $304.6 billion in 2018 and an average tax amount of $3,561 per home — an effective tax rate of 1.14 percent. States with the highest effective property tax rates were Illinois (2.22 percent), New Jersey (2.19 percent), Texas (2.11 percent), Vermont (2.11 percent), and Connecticut (2.04 percent). Other states in the top 10 for highest effective property tax rates were New Hampshire (1.93 percent), New York (1.87 percent), Pennsylvania (1.75 percent), Ohio (1.68 percent), and Nebraska (1.57 percent).

Vermont Business Magazine Manufacturing Exchange - Vermont (MXVT.org) is now live with a primary mission of "connecting people and supply chains to deliver solutions." It also allows manufacturers and suppliers to post their needs and find business opportunities. MXVT uses familiar social media tools in a virtual collaboration space that empowers innovative thinking, helps solve problems, and can create new supply chains.

Vermont Business Magazine AARP is providing information and resources about COVID-19 to help older Vermonters and their families protect themselves from the virus and prevent it from spreading to others.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported today that there were 23 new positive tests for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state. This is the smallest increase since March 28. There were no new deaths. The number of total known cases in Vermont is 628. The number of deaths stands at 23. By sex, 54.3 percent of cases are female. Every county in Vermont has at least one case, with one positive test now attributed to a resident of Essex County. At Friday's press conference (11 am), Governor Phil Scott is expected to extend the "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order beyond April 15. He is also expected to update provisions of the order.