Current News

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Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont’s internet service provider, Lumen, experienced a storm-related outage and fire. Lumen is working diligently to lay new fiber and have internet and phone systems back up and running as soon as possible. “We are doing everything we can to ensure our members have continued access to care, including prioritizing and expediting prior authorizations,” says Don George, President and CEO of Blue Cross VT.

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Vermont Business Magazine Today, Campaign for Vermont Prosperity (CFV) announced that they had commissioned a bipartisan, scientific public opinion poll of Vermonters. The survey interviewed 400 randomly selected Vermont residents to measure their feelings towards state leaders, various issues that policymakers are pursuing, and general sentiments about the direction the state is heading. The results released show that 53% of Vermonters believe the state is headed in the wrong direction, while only 35% approve of the state’s direction. When asked how respondents felt about the job Governor Scott is doing representing the issues they cared about, 64% gave a thumbs up. Conversely, the Legislature received a disapproval rating of 51%. Only 40% said they approved of the job the Legislature is doing.

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Vermont Business Magazine Chill Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit youth development organization is partnering with Burton Snowboards on a five-day giving campaign launching on November 29th to raise support for a new era of programming for Chill that focuses on helping young people build careers in the outdoor industry. After almost 30 years of introducing youth to boardsports at no cost, Chill is expanding its focus to include leadership and professional development opportunities in the outdoor industry for Chill alumni. Chill plans to offer participants career opportunities like informational interviews, introductions to hiring managers, training and certification in mountain operations and avalanche rescue, and much more.

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Vermont Business Magazine The MINT, Rutland's Makerspace, is once again settling into downtown Rutland this holiday shopping season. Located at 72 Merchants Row, The MINT Downtown Holiday Pop-up Shoppe is filling up fast with local wares and hands-crafted gifts. Ceramics, jewelry, furniture, paper goods, and more are available for purchase at the shop. Shop hours: Fri, Sat, Sun 10 am-4 pm.

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Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and Agency of Digital Services (ADS) Secretary Denise Reilly-Hughes today announced the appointment of Andrea DeLaBruere as the new deputy secretary of the ADS, effective December 18, 2023. DeLaBruere was appointed commissioner of the Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) by Governor Scott in December of 2021, and before that as an executive director for the Agency of Human Services (AHS), assisting with coordinating the work of the departments, participating in the pandemic response, and leading Agency efforts on communications and legislative affairs. 

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by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine COVID-19 cases were up and hospitalizations were down last week, but overall, they have remained steady since late summer. There were 6 fatalities reported by the Vermont Department of Health last week, for a pandemic total of 1,061, as of November 18 (the most recent data available). Fatalities have been running at about five per week during the fall, mostly among the very elderly. The Vermont Department of Health reported November 12, 2023, that COVID-19 hospitalizations fell by 7 to a statewide total of 36 last week. COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH. Reported cases last week were 258, up 25 for the week. Cases were over 300 in late September. 

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Vermont Business Magazine State Treasurer Mike Pieciak joined Governor Scott today to announce a $15 million program to support flood-impacted municipalities. Through the 10% in Vermont local investment program, the Treasurer’s Office has awarded $15 million to the Vermont Bond Bank to create the Municipal Climate Recovery Fund (MCRF). The high costs associated with recovery from the summer floods has forced many communities to borrow the funds needed. Vermont’s banking sector has stepped up to help, but interest rates at 20-year highs are stressing budgets as towns await FEMA assistance or other funding solutions. Through the 10% in Vermont award, the Vermont Bond Bank will be able to offer financing allowing municipalities to refinance or reimburse flood expenses at an estimated interest rate of 1.3% for seven years. The program will save taxpayers in flood-impacted communities up to an estimated $3.5 million.

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Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) staff and leaders gathered this month to honor employees who embody the organization’s values and mission. Each year SVMC, a member of Dartmouth Health, presents one award for each of the organization’s five core values: quality, empathy, stewardship, teamwork and safety. 

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Vermont Business Magazine Six Vermont communities and organizations are receiving funds up to $4,000 each in grant funds from AARP Vermont to initiate or enhance winter placemaking demonstration projects. The projects focus on creating or reinventing public spaces to improve safety, accessibility, and overall appeal on a temporary or permanent basis. Proposals from Vermont River Conservancy, the Town of Windham, Canaan Naturally Connected, Inc., Barre Senior Center, Cathedral Square Corporation, and Roxbury Community Crafters were selected from dozens of applications for the initiative. This is the seventh year of AARP Vermont’s Placemaking Grant Program, which aims to spearhead demonstration project efforts that will help build momentum for long-term livability improvements with an emphasis on the needs of adults aged 50 and older.

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Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections today announced the death of an incarcerated individual at the maximum-security Kentucky State Penitentiary (KSP) in Eddyville, Kentucky. Gary Schaefer, 72, of Springfield, Vermont, was lodged at the KSP in May of 1985 to serve his sentence under the terms of the U.S. Interstate Corrections Compact (ICC). Vermont DOC houses a small number of incarcerated individuals in other jurisdictions through the ICC in rare instances requiring higher levels of security or protection. 

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Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced on Monday that United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest sent a letter to all skilled nursing facilities in Vermont warning that refusing to provide care for persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will enforce these federal civil rights protections.

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Vermont Business Magazine Charlotte, Vermont-based Junapr has been recognized among the best and most innovative PR firms in the US, securing a spot on the prestigious PR News 2024 Agency Elite Top 100 list. This marks the third consecutive year that Junapr has been honored on this elite list. PRNEWS, the communication industry’s go-to source for business intelligence, recognition and peer-to-peer networking, has unveiled its 2024 Agency Elite Top 100. Each year, an exclusive group of agencies are selected to represent the best and brightest firms in PR and Communications.