Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont-based distillery Caledonia Spirits remains committed to its 72 employees. Although Caledonia Spirits is New England’s largest distillery, it’s still a local business in an industry that is being hit incredibly hard by COVID-19. In fact, the vast majority of companies in the wine, spirits, and beer industries have had to lay off workers and cut production by now. But Caledonia Spirits has put its people first, paying them full compensation and benefits through these uncertain times and committing to doing so through at least April 5.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Scott has directed the Commissioner of Taxes to exercise his authority to provide relief to Vermont businesses who owe Meals and Rooms Tax or Sales and Use Tax until further notice. Many of our local businesses find themselves unable to meet the March 25 and April 25 filing deadlines due to the implementation of mitigation steps to slow the spread of COVID-19. Taxpayers who are unable to meet the deadlines will not be charged any penalty or interest on these taxes for late submissions.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the Vermont Department of Public Service has released an interactive Public Wi-Fi Hot Spot Map to help Vermonters connect to publicly available internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The map includes the location of the Wi-Fi hot spots and pertinent information about how to access them, including places where users can access Wi-Fi from outside the building or in a parked vehicle to encourage social distancing.

Vermont Business Magazine Given the current COVID19 pandemic, the start of the 2020 Vermont Emerging Leaders Program will be delayed until at least late May 2020 and that is subject to further updates.

Vermont Business Roundtable We believe that limiting the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis is the most important step we should take at this time. Doing so will reduce the public health threat that must be addressed before our economy will be restored – at the state and national levels – to a new normal. Our extremely talented health care professionals and institutions are working in a coordinated fashion to serve the public. Their request of us is straightforward: 1) prepare for the long term, this won’t disappear in two weeks; 2) stay home; and, 3) for those who can’t stay home, to maximize healthy and sterile protocols. We urge all Vermonters to honor their requests. We can flatten the severity and duration of this outbreak to the benefit for everyone, if we respect the social distancing guidance of health care professionals.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is prepared to respond as quickly and safely as possible for customers as forecasters predict potential scattered outages due to a storm bringing in the possibility of several inches of heavy wet snow to Vermont. GMP tracks multiple forecasts to be able to most effectively respond for customers during evolving weather situations, and now with COVID-19, also made operations adjustments to increase safety for crews and customers including social distancing. GMP is also encouraging customers to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from crews, following CDC social distancing guidelines for health and safety.

University of Vermont This communication went out to UVM students, faculty and staff at 8:05 Monday morning. In his message, UVM President Suresh Garimella said that while remote instruction will continue, all students, whether they are staying in dorms or off-campus, should return to their homes. If they are unable to return home, they should contact the Office of Residential Life immediately for further guidance.

Vermont Business Magazine The most recent amendments to Governor Scott’s emergency declaration include: All close-contact businesses are required to close by 8 pm on Monday, March 23, including gymnasiums, fitness centers and similar exercise facilities, hair salons and barbers, nail salons, spas and tattoo parlors; Updated community mitigation measures further restrict the size of mass gatherings to 10 or less; All non-essential adult elective surgery and medical and surgical procedures, including all dental procedures, are ordered to be postponed in the safest but most expedient way possible.

Vermont Department of Health As of 2 pm Sunday, there are 52 positive cases in Vermont, an increase of 3 from Saturday. This number could change by the end of the day today. There are still no reported cases in the Northeast Kingdom or Lamoille or Grand Isle Counties. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and mild illness, you can stay home and treat your symptoms. Not everyone needs to be tested. Testing is not treatment and we have limited ability to test. Newly added to the list of travelers who should stay home and monitor their health for 14 days are people returning from Malaysia or from a cruise.Call the Health Department at 802-863-7240 for monitoring information. If you have symptoms of fever, cough or difficulty breathing call your health care provider.

Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger I know it is challenging to awake to headlines from around the world and around the state that the COVID-19 crisis is deepening. My expectation is that it is going to be this way for a while. At the same time, Burlingtonians should be that reassured huge efforts are under way to care for the sick and slow the spread of the virus, and the country’s plan for short-term relief and then economic recovery when the storm has passed are taking shape.

Vermont Business Magazine As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, Rutland Regional Medical Center has had to implement changes to its Retail Pharmacy Pickup and Visitor Restriction policy. We greatly appreciate how everyone has continued to adapt to the fluidity of this situation and we will continue to share the most updated information to the community as it becomes available.

RRMC Pharmacy Prescription Pick-Up

When prescriptions are ready, the Pharmacy will call you and payment will be taken with a credit card over the phone or cash will be collected at pick-up. Exact change is appreciated. Upon arrival at the Stratton Road entrance, call the Pharmacy (802.747.1777) and staff will bring the prescription to your car. If you’re unable to call the Pharmacy, please come to the entrance, provide your name, and they will bring it to you.

Pharmacy Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm. Saturday and Sunday: 9am-5pm

by Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts Agriculture has quietly gone about its business for decades. Stores shelves have always been stocked with an endless supply of milk, meat, produce and so much more. The picture changed overnight when COVID-19 entered our world. Consumers rushed to make sure they had enough food as they began to self-isolate in hopes of slowing the spread of the virus.