Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that the number of COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations all fell after a spiking to their highest levels since early November. There was 1 fatality since the previous week's report of 6. Hospitalizations fell back to just over 10 after being at their highest levels since October and outbreaks also declined. Hospitalizations and general "syndromic" cases were at 10+ statewide for the week. The number of reported COVID cases fell to 163, down from 192 from 138; they were at 67 in early December. Cases had fallen in April and May and were as low as 31 at the beginning of May 2024, before rising at the end of summer through the early part of the fall. Wastewater monitoring spiked the last few weeks but like the other indices, fell back somewhat but remain relatively high, especially in Montpelier. The pandemic death total stands at 1,242 as of January 11, 2025 (the most recent data available). There are 3 reported deaths so far in January 2025. 

The Vermont State Police on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, arrested a sixth suspect in connection with efforts to assist Scott Mason avoid law enforcement following the Dec. 13 shooting of St. Johnsbury Police Department Capt. Jason Gray. Tracie Largy, 45, of St. Johnsbury was taken into custody Monday morning on a charge of accessory after the fact. She was processed at the VSP barracks in St. Johnsbury and released on a flash citation to appear for arraignment at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in St. Johnsbury.

Devon Green, VP of Government Relations, VAHHS The start of the session always feels like going back to school, and even more so during a new biennium. With new committees come introductory and refresher courses on Medicaid, health insurance, and Vermont’s health care system. In our Vermont Hospitals 101 presentation last week, we introduced some of the VAHHS and hospital initiatives we’re undertaking to address affordability and access. We also made the point that while we know hospitals need to do more, we cannot do affordability work alone—all areas of health care and health care coverage must be examined. For instance, in New York, the only other state besides Vermont that has pure community rating, counties with comparative populations have a choice of 27 bronze health care plans ranging from $500 to $850 in premiums while Vermont has 7 bronze plans ranging from $800-$900. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), in collaboration with the Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies (VAPDA) and the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), is announcing the release of new regional targets for housing production across the state and a new tool that allows DHCD to track progress towards those regional housing goals in near real time. The Statewide and Regional Housing Targets report was required as part of the HOME Act of 2023 and ACT 181 of 2024. DHCD and VAPDA coordinated to produce the housing production targets and VHFA was contracted to support the development of the targets.  The report examined the depths of Vermont’s housing shortage and developed a methodology to create regional housing targets for 2030 and 2050 that will enable the state to stabilize housing prices, normalize vacancy rates, help grow its current workforce, and attract new residents.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) voted 3-1, with one Board Member abstaining, to sign the State Agreement with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to enter the States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model. GMCB joined Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Human Services (AHS) in signing the AHEAD agreement, provided that certain requirements necessary to properly implement and execute the Model are in place. The primary components of the model are: Hospital Global Budgets, where hospitals will be paid a fixed amount of revenue, or a “global budget,” to provide services to Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries; Primary Care AHEAD, which is a voluntary program for primary care practices to receive an additional payment from Medicare to provide coordinated care to Vermonters with Medicare coverage.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR), in collaboration with Recovery Partners of Vermont (RPV), is pleased to announce Recovery Day 2025, scheduled for February 19th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Governors’ Ballroom at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Montpelier. Recovery Day is an annual advocacy celebration dedicated to honoring the power of substance use recovery and the diverse pathways individuals undertake on their recovery journeys. This year’s theme, “Recovery Rooted in Community Connection”, emphasizes the vital role that community support and peer connections play in successful recovery outcomes.

Vermont Business Magazine On Friday, January 31, Vermont State University Castleton Men’s Hockey team will host the fourth annual Breaking the Ice on Mental Health event as they take on New England College in a 7pm game at Spartan Arena. The Castleton Men’s Hockey team, led by head Coach, Kyle Richards, is made up of a diverse team of players from around the world who are establishing strong ties in our local region.

Vermont Business Magazine This is the third funding cycle under the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, which aims to assist local governments in enhancing energy efficiency and reducing fossil fuel emissions, particularly in the transportation and building sectors. The initiative focuses on creating a sustainable and equitable energy economy, prioritizing disadvantaged communities, and promoting inclusive workforce opportunities. Municipalities are invited to propose projects that align with these goals, selecting from a range of eligible activities designed to improve local and regional energy strategies.

Vermont Business Magazine State Representatives Conor Casey and Kate McCann, from Montpelier, have introduced H.50, new legislation directing the Department of Buildings and General Services to conduct an annual study identifying state-owned buildings and land suitable for conversion into affordable housing. This initiative aims to address Montpelier’s critical housing shortage and revitalize the downtown area. The proposal responds to the growing housing need across Vermont and decreased foot traffic in Montpelier’s downtown post-pandemic and following the 2023 flooding. Factors such as increased telecommuting and numerous vacancies in the state workforce have exacerbated the crisis. The legislation encourages creative solutions, including consolidating state office spaces and collaborating with developers to build housing units.

Vermont Business Magazine Saint Michael’s College in Colchester will host a series of events honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., including his vision of a Beloved Community. The College will host its 33rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation during the week of January 20, 2025. Events will be held throughout the week, with the main day of celebration occurring on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Events will include speakers, a performance by the College’s gospel choir, and artistic opportunities, such as painting the annual Convocation mural. The events are centered around the theme “Beloved Community: Radical Empathy,” inspired by one of the featured speaker’s work around bridging racial divides and exploring how the structures that lead to segregation, inequality, and injustice impact everyone.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA), and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) are announcing the results of a new study they jointly commissioned that examines the potential of off-site home construction.  Off-site construction homes are built in factories, shipped, and assembled at the housing site by the manufacturer. "Opportunities to Utilize Off-Site Construction to Meet Vermont’s Housing, Workforce and Climate Goals" reviewed whether off-site construction could produce homes quickly at a cost competitive with traditional on-site homebuilding.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement on the inauguration of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance: “It’s my hope the new administration and new congress use the peaceful transfer of power as an opportunity to start fresh, work together and collaborate to the benefit of all Americans. I also want extend my appreciation to President Biden and Vice President Harris for their service to our nation.”