Current News

Vermont Business Magazine NBT Bank has announced steps to support businesses and individuals facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. NBT has temporarily increased daily limits for ATM withdrawals and mobile deposits; is temporarily waiving late fees; is temporarily waiving penalties for early CD withdrawals up to $20,000; and is offering certain payment deferrals on consumer loans. For Small Business Customers—NBT has temporarily increased daily limits on mobile deposits; is temporarily waiving late fees; is temporarily waiving penalties for early CD withdrawals up to $20,000; and has developed programs to provide relief through working capital lines of credit and payment deferrals.

Vermont Business Magazine If you're looking for a little good news during this difficult time dominated by the coronavirus, gasoline prices have fallen, and in some places dramatically so. In Vermont, the lowest price reported on the vermontgasprices.com website (GasBuddy app) is Cunningham's in Canaan, which is down to $1.98 a gallon. The average statewide price is $2.34 a gallon, down 10 cents from a week ago and nearly 20 cents less than this time last year.

VSECU, Montpelier With sensitivity to the health and safety of our employees, members, and community surrounding the growing spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, we are immediately modifying access to our branches. We are taking this difficult but necessary step to limit human-to-human contact while continuing to provide all the financial products and services you need.

HOW ARE WE MODIFYING ACCESS?

Vermont Business Magazine Caledonia Spirits - the popular Vermont-based distiller of Barr Hill Gin, Barr Hill Vodka, and Tom Cat Gin – has added a very different item to its production line this week in an effort to help the local cause. With the raw materials needed to make hand sanitizer already on hand, the distillery’s team got together and started producing it for local nonprofit organizations. Its first delivery was to the Vermont Foodbank yesterday.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center is temporarily suspending visitation, restricting entrances, and screening everyone who enters hospital facilities and clinics in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With a commitment to the care and safety of our patients and our staff, visitation is being restricted as of 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. The change comes as our workforce continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are following protocols focused on stopping the spread of the disease, as outlined below.

Vermont Business Magazine The Health Department is prioritizing contact tracing and response efforts to cases of those who are hospitalized, residents of long-term care facilities, people who are incarcerated, and those who are immunocompromised.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Senator Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement:

"First and foremost, as we face a national emergency, I want all Vermonters to know that my office is here to help. Please do not hesitate to be in touch if we can be of assistance on our website or by phone: 1-802-862-0697. Please know that our call volume may be higher than normal and you may have to leave a message during business hours. My staff will be checking messages regularly and will call you back as soon as possible.

Vermont Business Magazine Today the Vermont Public Utility Commission directed the state's regulated utilities to stop any disconnection of residential utility service due to nonpayment of electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications bills. This moratorium on involuntary utility disconnections will last until at least April 30, 2020.

Vermont Business Magazine At a press conference Wednesday, Governor Phil Scott and members of his administration provided an update on recent mitigation actions in response to COVID-19, including additional details on the closure of schools and child care centers while maintaining child care services for essential persons. There are now 19 confirmed cases in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Cathedral Square, a leading provider of affordable, service-enriched housing for older adults and people with special needs in Vermont, has received $125,000 from the TD Charitable Foundation for capital improvements and repairs to an historic Burlington mansion, ensuring continued housing and services for the 15 low-income older adults who live there.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police has arrested Francis Phelps, 29, of Royalton in connection with the fatal shooting Tuesday, March 17, at a home on Vermont Route 14. Phelps is expected to be arraigned at 1 p.m. today — Wednesday, March 18 — in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in White River Junction on charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault with a weapon, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Vermont Business Magazine In an effort to facilitate increased applications to its Unemployment Insurance Claims Center, the Vermont Department of Labor has announced the creation of an electronic form and staffing increases to assist those individuals impacted as a result of COVID-19.