Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth is a new fund at the Vermont Community Foundation that has awarded $43,500 in grants since its inception in 2018. The fund is now accepting applications for its 2020 grant round to support dynamic and innovative youth programs in Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Shaftsbury, and Woodford.

The fund was formed in 2018 in response to the community’s recognition that middle and high school youth in the Bennington area are looking for more opportunities to pursue their interests and build new skills. Growing the number of youth development programs can play a vital role in keeping families in—and attracting families to—the Southshire.

Vermont Business Magazine Middlebury College President Laurie Patton announced in a letter to students and staff that the college will begin spring break on Friday, March 13, a week early, and that the college will be closed the following week because of the novel coronavirus issue. Students will resume classes via remote learning beginning March 30.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Donovan filed a lawsuit today against Clearview AI, a data broker that uses facial recognition technology to map the faces of Vermonters, including children, and sells access to this data to private businesses, individuals, and law enforcement. The complaint, filed in Chittenden Superior Court – Civil Division, alleges violations of the Vermont Consumer Protection Act and the new Data Broker Law. Along with the complaint, the State filed a motion for preliminary injunction, asking the Court to order Clearview AI to immediately stop collecting or storing Vermonters’ photos and facial recognition data.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) Foundation has received a $300,000 planned gift from local Philanthropist Lillian Sleeman Seward of Bennington, who passed away in November 2019. It is her third gift to SVHC since 2018 and contributes to a total of $600,000 in donations to the health system.

Vermont Business Magazine Businesses from all corners of the state have voiced their support for increasing local renewable electricity in Vermont. Businesses from all sectors of the economy, led by Renewable Energy Vermont, wrote to lawmakers and government officials, expressing support for “a 100% renewable energy standard that supports significant expansion of renewable projects built in Vermont by Vermonters.”

Vermont Business Magazine Today Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos announced the official results of the Vermont 2020 Democratic and Republican Presidential Primary Elections held on Tuesday, March 3. Vote totals and winners were certified today by Secretary Condos and a designee from each of Vermont’s three major parties (Democratic, Republican and Progressive).

Vermont Business Magazine New trails for Stratton’s Mountain Bike Park lead the list of 2020-21 capital projects, which together will total $10 million. A new event venue, employee housing, additional parking, enhancements to the overall guest experience, and planning for future projects are also on the docket. In year three as a member of the Alterra Mountain Company family of destinations, the capital investment for Stratton now totals over $30 million. Phase two of the mountain bike park build begins this summer.

The Vermont Health Department is closely monitoring the developments in the outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus ("COVID-19"). Vermont is prepared to respond to protect and support Vermonters. The State of Vermont today announced the activation of the State Emergency Operations Center as of Wednesday, March 11 at 7:30 a.m. to support the ongoing work of the Vermont Department of Health and expand the capacity of state government to coordinate the COVID-19 response.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Mayors Coalition (VMC) today introduced the new members of the Vermont Mayor’s Coalition and announced its 2020 legislative session goals and its commitment to collaborate on and advocate for these areas of common interest for their cities. At a news conference in the State House, the Coalition released its legislative policy summary for the 2020 legislative session.

Vermont Business Magazine To support the ongoing work of the Vermont Department of Health and expand the capacity of state government to coordinate the COVID-19 response, Governor Phil Scott today ordered additional state agencies and departments to activate through the Vermont State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). The activation is in accordance with the State Emergency Management Plan and will organize efforts, as well information sharing and communications with local and state officials.

by Joshua T White, MD, Gifford Medical Center This past weekend, the first case of COVID-19 was discovered in Vermont. This was expected, and the only question was where it might pop up. I anticipate this number to jump substantially in the near future. Two weeks from now, there will likely be hundreds of identified cases in our communities. I want people to understand and expect this, such that it is not quite as alarming when it occurs. A big reason for the jump in numbers will be testing.

Vermont Business Magazine The World Cheese Championship Contest, held in Madison Wisconsin this past week, announced results featuring the top 20 final candidates in the running for the top prize out of a record 3,667 international entries. Jasper Hill Farm in Greensboro made two of these winning cheeses. The fact that Highlander, Jasper Hill’s newest cheese, was among the finalists was especially gratifying for the company’s growing team. Highlander is a mountain style cheese made with goat milk from Jasper Hill’s new collaborative venture, Bridgman Hill Farm.