Current News

Public Assets Institute One goal of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the $2 trillion federal stimulus law, is to encourage workers to stay home by providing them enough cash for their families to live on. For many Vermont workers, the policy succeeds. State unemployment benefits replace 58 percent of a worker’s wages and are capped at $513 a week. The feds will provide $600 a week on top of state benefits for unemployed workers through July 31.

Vermont Business Magazine As individuals and communities contend with the severe impacts of COVID-19, Vail Resorts' CEO, Rob Katz, and his wife, Elana Amsterdam, New York Times bestselling author and founder of Elana's Pantry, today announced a donation of more than $2.5 million to provide immediate support for both Vail Resorts employees and the mountain towns where the Company operates. The Vermont Community Foundation will receive $150,000. Vail owns the Mt Snow, Okemo and Stowe Mountain resorts in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The impact of the coronavirus on the healthcare system and on financial markets is all too clear. But what about the stress it’s putting on the food system and on those who are food insecure? University of Vermont researchers launched a survey this week, developed in collaboration with faculty at Johns Hopkins University, to determine those impacts.

CDC New England On March 27th, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act with programs and initiatives intended to assist business owners. The Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act provides an excellent summary about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs. The Guide was prepared by the office of Senator Ben Cardin, who is a ranking member on the Senate small business committee.

Vermont Chamber supports recently announced public health measures that increase safety

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber supports recently announced measures, including Governor Scott’s restrictions on travelers arriving in Vermont, that increase the safety of our communities during this unprecedented public health emergency.

We are also concerned about the health of our state’s travel and lodging industry and are working hard to support employers and businesses impacted by COVID-19 and keep them informed of new restrictions.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today ordered additional restrictions on travelers arriving in Vermont and announced additional guidance for the lodging industry to enhance compliance with his Stay Home, Stay Safe order. This new order directs residents and non-residents coming from outside the state for anything other than an essential purpose to home-quarantine for 14 days and strongly discourages travel to Vermont by those located in COVID-19 “hot spots.”

Vermont Association of Hospitals & Health Systems Federal and state regulatory agencies continue to flex licensing and other requirements to help health care providers and others respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

VBSR Last week was a big one for state and federal action on the COVID-19 pandemic. In the wake of Governor Scott's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order, legislators passed a package of bills to help bolster our state's healthcare system while expanding access to unemployment benefits for vulnerable Vermonters. Meanwhile in Washington, House and Senate legislators advanced their third COVID-19 response package that promises to bring nearly $2 billion to Vermont's recovery efforts. In the face of this growing crisis, VBSR remains committed to providing businesses with the tools they need to endure, giving up to date coverage and analysis of the latest coronavirus relief bills, and continuing to serve as a voice for Vermont's socially responsible business community.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported Sunday afternoon that the number of positive cases of COVID-19 increased by 24 and there are now 235 cases. There were no new deaths. Vermonters are being asked to stay home as much as possible to keep everyone safe during this pandemic. Please leave for essentials only, such as food, and keep a safe distance of six feet between yourself and others. This will help slow the spread of the virus and protect people who are more vulnerable.

Northfield Savings Bank This is to alert you that Northfield Savings Bank branch lobby service remains closed and we are no longer scheduling branch appointments as of Wednesday, March 25. Branches will operate drive-up services with expanded hours 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday, with the exception of 160 College Street in Burlington and 2 North Main Street in Randolph.

Mark Tryniski, President & Chief Executive Officer, Community Bank NA We continue to serve our customers through our drive-thrus, ATMs and night drops. We recommend our customers take advantage of convenient online, mobile and phone banking services available 24/7. Additionally, our customers can open new deposit accounts or apply for personal loans online.

Vermont Business Magazine With universities closing campuses and resorting to online-only courses for the remainder of the semester, many students across the country are displaced and left without the internet connection they need to finish out the year, or in some cases, graduate. We understand the value of being connected during times like these and want to help these students left without access.