Current News

Vermont Business Magazine According to the Vermont Department of Health, there were three new deaths among previously reported positive cases since Sunday's report. All three were residents of Burlington Health and Rehab. Altogether, there are 75 reported cases, up 23 from Sunday's VDH report.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan today announced that the US District Court for the District of Columbia has enjoined the Trump administration from unlawfully cutting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, known in Vermont as 3SquaresVT. In the lawsuit, a coalition of 20 states and New York City challenged a new US Department of Agriculture rule that would have pushed nearly 700,000 struggling Americans, including 200 Vermont families, out of the SNAP program.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Health Network is taking steps to protect our patients and staff as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including changing our visitor policy to discourage all visitors with few exceptions, and suspending all non-urgent procedures and encounters to conserve needed resources.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) announces a series of webinars connecting businesses dealing with the impacts of the novel coronavirus to resources and best practices relating to available funding, childcare options, employee support resources and virtual workplaces. These webinars are free for VBSR members, and $20 for non-members.

Vermont Business Magazine Following the Governor’s State of Emergency declaration on March 14, 2020, Vermont Legal Aid will continue to serve its clients via telephonic and electronic means. While we have discontinued in-person access to our offices, clients may still contact our intake helpline at 1-800-889-2047 to receive assistance. Clients with a legal or benefits problem related to the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak also may receive assistance by going to vtlawhelp.org.

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.