Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Several of the state's utilities have suspended collections and disconnections in wake of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and the economic disruption it is wreaking. These include Green Mountain Power, Vermont Gas and Burlington Electric. They have also changed their office hours, but of course will maintain service. Click on the links below to get further information.

Green Mountain Power: "We recognize that certain customers may experience financial difficulty as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, whether they or a family member fall ill, are required to quarantine, or because their income is otherwise affected. We hope to alleviate our affected customers’ concerns about their electricity service during this time.

Michael S Pieciak, Commissioner, Vermont Department of Financial Regulation The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, along with other state regulators, the FDIC (see March 9, 2020 press release), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (see OCC Bulletin 2020-15), and others, recognizes the potential for the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) to adversely affect the customers and operations of financial institutions. The Department encourages financial institutions to take steps to meet the financial services needs of affected customers and communities. The Department will provide appropriate regulatory assistance to affected financial institutions subject to their supervision, as warranted.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan announced today that, in light of the COVID-19 crisis, the employees of the Attorney General’s Office are working remotely. This will facilitate social distancing and allow parents to be at home with their children while Vermont schools are closed. There is no anticipated disruption of service. The AGO’s remote worker program will continue until at least April 6^th.

“Our first priority is the safety of Vermonters, including our team at the Attorney General’s Office and their families,” said Attorney General Donovan. “Through this crisis, we will continue to do our job.”

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Robert Larner College of Medicine invites the public to a free, informational webinar on Thursday, March 19, from 3 to 4 p.m., facilitated by

Tom Leavitt, President & CEO, Northfield Savings Bank After carefully monitoring the rapid evolution of the novel coronavirus in past weeks and preparing for contingencies, we are taking immediate actions to protect you, our staff, and our communities from greater risk of COVID-19. Beginning Wednesday, March 18, we are changing our branch lobby hours. We will be offering interior branch access to customers during three separate 90-minute intervals each day Monday through Friday.

by Dr Joshua White, CMO, Gifford Medical Center Now, understand that right here and now, the virus is the fire and we are the trees. It is here, my friends. We cannot see it, but it is among us as I write. We may choose to space ourselves, or we may not. Our vulnerable and our elderly may die, or they may not. We as a community and a society are making this choice, consciously or not.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of David J Fox to become Rutland County sheriff, replacing outgoing Sheriff Stephen P Benard. Fox has served in the Rutland County sheriff’s office since 2004, joining after he graduated from the Vermont Police Academy.

​Vermont Business Magazine Berkshire Bank has announced programs to provide additional financial flexibility to customers who may face financial hardship due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 virus. Berkshire Bank has branches in southwestern Vermont. Effective Wednesday, March 18th for an initial 30-day period, Berkshire Bank is offering financial assistance to all of its customers.

Vermont Business Magazine As a direct result of Executive Order 01-20 that Governor Phil Scott signed on Friday, the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is supporting the state’s mitigation efforts by urging Vermonters to renew registrations online and renew licenses by mail to reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19 infection.

Vermont Business Magazine Responding to shelves empty of hand sanitizer in local grocers, pharmacies, big-box stores and online as the novel coronavirus crisis overwhelms Vermonters, co-owners Jeremy and Ron Elliott are using the unique resources of their distillery to help meet the shortage. With the help of an amazing staff, priorities at Smugglers’ Notch Distillery flipped overnight from crafting spirits to producing hand sanitizer.

Vermont Business Magazine School for International Training and its parent organization, World Learning, Inc., have announced safety measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective Monday, March 16, faculty and staff based in the organization's headquarters in Brattleboro, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., have been instructed to work from home. Nearly 150 World Learning and SIT staff members work on the Vermont campus.

Vermont Business Magazine During these unprecedented times, people, businesses and governments throughout the world are modifying their operations as a novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has spread around the globe. In Vermont, Gov. Phil Scott declared a state of emergency Friday, enacting steps to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the most vulnerable.

The Vermont State Police, like law-enforcement agencies nationwide, has planned for this situation and is taking precautions. Commanders have directed members of the state police to make certain modifications to their operations to protect both the workforce and the public.