Current News

by Rachel Feldman, Vermont Business Magazine The wellbeing of Vermonters, students, Vermont businesses and employees in the face of COVID-19 was apparent in both the words and actions at Governor Phil Scott’s Friday press conference in Montpelier. Joined with Scott at 6-foot intervals were Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, Agency of Human Services Secretary Mike Smith, Agency of Commerce and Community Development Secretary Lindsay Kurrle, and other state officials, making it clear that all were respecting “social distancing” while presenting a united front during this pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine I know this is an incredibly difficult time with disruption most of us have never experienced, and there’s a lot of uncertainty, fear and anxiety across the nation. I understand how tough things are right now and will continue to be. But what’s really important is to focus on and complete our first mission: to work together as one community to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced Vermont small business owners suffering economic injury due the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans, following a statewide disaster declaration.

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) offer up to $2 million in assistance per business, providing economic support to overcome temporary loss of revenue. EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for private non-profit organizations, which are also eligible for EIDLs.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services has announced that operations at 12 Travel Information Centers on I-89 and I-91 were suspended at the close of business on Thursday March 19. Those centers closed were Alburgh, Bradford, Derby Line, Fair Haven, Georgia North, Georgia South, Hartford, Lyndonville, Montpelier, Randolph, Sharon, and Waterford. The remaining four centers: Bennington, Guilford, and Williston North and Williston South remained open on Friday March 20 from 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. and then ceased operations.

Vermont Business Magazine A Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) provider has been confirmed as COVID-19 positive. The employee interacted with a small group of patients and staff while asymptomatic, and has been in self-isolation since becoming symptomatic. After receiving the positive notification from Vermont Department of Health, hospital clinical and human resources teams immediately traced and notified contacts of their possible exposure. Self-quarantine and monitoring for symptoms have been recommended to those potentially affected. CVMC is not able to share more details due to HIPPA restrictions.

Vermont Business Magazine While Brattleboro Retreat outpatient services including the Anna Marsh Clinic, Starting Now’s one-on-one counseling service, the Mind Body Pain Management Program, and the HUB program will remain open, these programs will be instituting various safety measures in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. These measures include screening clients for risk of infection, establishing social distancing protocols, and using tele-health services as much as possible.

Starting at end of business on Friday, March 20, 2020, all in-person outpatient group programs at the Brattleboro Retreat will be temporarily closed. This affects:

Forecasts Call for Gusts 40-45 MPH and Stronger in Thunderstorms, GMP Urging Safety for Customers

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is alerting customers that forecasters are predicting strong gusty winds through Friday night, and scattered outages are possible. Crews will be responding as quickly and safely as possible. GMP tracks multiple forecasts, which are also are calling for thunderstorms and a steep temperature drop this evening, which could lead to flash freezing, making travel difficult.

Vermont Business Magazine In response to the current ban on table service at all Vermont restaurants, Seven Days has launched a digital directory of local eateries that are offering takeout, delivery or curbside drop-off options during the coronavirus pandemic. GoodToGoVermont.com will make it easy for diners to sort by region and find restaurants still operating near them and what they are cooking up. The directory draws on the extensive database of Vermont restaurants featured in our annual dining guide, 7 Nights.

Vermont Business Magazine As of yet, there has been little impact on jobs from the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Vermont on weekly unemployment claims (which lag the actual economy). US claims however have started to show a major increase. Initial claims for the week of March 14, 2020, were 661, up 215. Claims were only 20 more than they were at this time last year. Altogether 5,545 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 120 from a week ago and 315 fewer than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD tonight announced the state’s first deaths among Vermonters infected with the new coronavirus COVID-19. The first was a male resident of Windsor County, who had been hospitalized at the VA Medical Center in White River Junction. The second was a female resident of the Burlington Health and Rehab long-term care facility in Burlington. Both were over the age of 80.

Vermont Business Magazine The Fair Haven Welcome Center on Route 4 near the New York State line and the Randolph I-89 southbound rest area buildings and facilities are closed at this time due to COVID-19 concerns. The parking areas of these two locations are still open to the public.

Vermont Business Magazine The COVID-19 emergency means that all of our current systems and networks are under stress, including the Department of Corrections (DOC). This is an opportunity to work together to find solutions that are consistent with public health and public safety. Prosecution offices across the state, including mine, have been looking at safe and deliberate ways to continue reducing Vermont’s current prison population. Reducing the population of inmates held in pre-trial detention, which is when a person accused of a crime is imprisoned prior to trial, is one possible remedy.