Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Vice Chairman of the US Senate Appropriations Committee, Wednesday announced that the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM) will soon receive funding from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create regional a Dairy Business Innovation Initiative.

by Stephen Leffler, MD, Interim President, UVM Medical Center Earlier today, UVM Medical Center sent an official letter to HHS that continues to respectfully, but firmly disagree with many of the allegations and conclusions made in their notice of violation. It also informs them that in an effort to better serve both our patients and our employees, we’ll be taking steps to strengthen our policies and operations surrounding abortion procedures. 

Vermont Business Magazine The first two F-35A Lightning II fighter jets are scheduled to arrive at the Burlington International Airport on Thursday, September 19, 2019, according to a statement from the Vermont National Guard. The 158th Fighter Wing will be the first Air National Guard unit to field a squadron of F-35As. Brig Gen Greg Knight, adjutant general, Vermont National Guard, said in a video accompanying the announcement that the planes will not be nuclear capable and that the Vermont Guard will not include a nuclear mission. He also reiterated that the planes will take off without afterburners 95 percent of the time.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan and a coalition of 14 other attorneys general have a message for the Trump Administration: Comply immediately with the court-ordered injunction in California v. Azar. The injunction, secured earlier this year, stopped the Trump Administration’s attempt to remove cost-free birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Despite the injunction from the court, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has yet to update its website and inform the public about the injunction and its impact on their contraceptive coverage.

Vermont Business Magazine After two decades as Music Director, Jaime Laredo has decided that he will retire after the 2020/2021 season. His final concert with the VSO will be in May 2021. Laredo has built a high level of musical excellence within the orchestra, brought esteemed guest artists to perform with the VSO, and impacted Vermont's classical music community in ways that will last for years to come.

Vermont Business Magazine The Lyndon campus of Northern Vermont University will remain open, the Vermont State Colleges System Board of Trustees confirmed today. In a resolution passed unanimously at its annual retreat in Fairlee, the VSCS Trustees directed the chancellor to make specific recommendations before December 3 that will position the System for a strong future. Specifically, those recommendations are to include strengthening the newly-unified, two-campus Northern Vermont University. They also voted to cap tuition increases to 2.9 percent.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University begins its 200th birthday celebration today with thousands of alumni and their guests during the university’s annual Homecoming Weekend at the Northfield campus from September 18-22. The public is invited to take part in Norwich’s bicentennial by attending the special commemoration events, viewing a spectacular fireworks display on Friday night, visiting the food trucks on Friday or Saturday, and attending the athletic competitions throughout the weekend.

Vermont Business Magazine Below is a statement from Burlington Public Works regarding the Great Streets St Paul project and proposed modifications to the St Paul & Maple, and St Paul & King intersections in downtown Burlington. The information was presented at Tuesday night’s Burlington Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee meeting where a motion was passed unanimously to support DPW’s proposed modifications.

Vermont Business Magazine A campaign to encourage housing production in Chittenden County is keeping apace of its overall production goals, but the gap between housing costs and wages is growing, housing leaders announced last week. There were 620 homes developed and ready for occupancy in 2018. Over the first three years of the campaign an average of 758 homes were built each year ahead of the pace needed to meet the campaign’s goal of 3,500 homes over five years.

by Don Turner Putting aside our differences in politics, we’ve all come to count on our first responders and the services they provide as a “given.” We know that if, in that dreaded circumstance, we have to call 9-1-1 for an emergency, we’ll have a reassuring voice on the other line, ready to send help. But what if there was no answer? What if the wait time for emergency services was too long? What if there were too many other crises at that very moment, and our first responders couldn’t make it?

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and members of his cabinet will be in Bennington County on Tuesday, September 24 for its Capitol for a Day 14-county tour. Governor Scott launched this initiative in June 2018, and he and his cabinet visited all 14 counties over the following 10 months. The second round of visits began this summer, and the administration will revisit each county over the next several months.

Capitol for a Day gives local constituents, municipal government leaders and other partners the opportunity to connect directly with state leadership and staff.

“This initiative has been tremendously rewarding and productive,” said Governor Scott. “It’s been great to get back to each county, with the opportunity to see new local programs and projects, as well as hear from Vermonters about the challenges they face and the impact of the work we’re doing in Montpelier.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development is being awarded a grant to assist Vermont small businesses export goods and services. The Small Business Administration announced Friday that it is providing Vermont a $300,000 grant through the SBA’s State Trade Expansion Program, a federal-state partnership initiative to increase the number of small businesses exporting. The state of Vermont is providing $100,000 for a total of $400,000 in state exporting funds.