Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced two new actions to both prepare for Tropical Depression Debby and continue to respond to the damage from multiple storms in July. On Thursday, Governor Scott requested a Presidential Emergency Declaration from President Biden, which the President approved, to ensure the State can access any federal resources to assist with any emergency needs resulting from Tropical Depression Debby. Governor Scott also signed an addendum to his state Emergency Declaration, which updates the existing Declaration to include any impacts from Tropical Depression Debby and extend the temporary regulatory relief he implemented via Addendum 1 on July 13. The first was $7 million for Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP). The second was $7 million for the Administration’s Rapid Response Mobile Home Infill initiative.

by Ron Lumbra, UVM Chair of Board of Trustees President Garimella has informed the Board of Trustees that he has been named the next president of the University of Arizona. The Board is proud of UVM’s trajectory during the five years of President Garimella’s tenure. His bold vision and innovative leadership have empowered UVM to “amplify our impact” here in Vermont and far beyond our borders. He has prioritized access and affordability for our students and ensured they have ample resources for success. We have diversified the breadth of our distinctive research excellence and doubled the amount of external support received to fund that research. President Garimella’s emphasis on the importance of UVM’s land grant commitment to the people, businesses, and communities of Vermont has resulted in a growing number of successful UVM collaborations and partnerships with corporate and public organizations across the state. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine As expected, the Arizona Board of Regents shortly after noon today (local time) appointed Dr. Suresh Garimella as the 23rd president of the University of Arizona. Garimella has been the University of Vermont president since 2019. It was revealed on Thursday that Garimella was the sole finalist for the Arizona job, thus indicating that he had been offered and accepted the job, pending a vote by the regents this morning. The unanimous board vote follows a comprehensive national search fueled by the work of the U of A Presidential Search Advisory Committee and informed by robust community feedback. Dr. Garimella is currently the 27th president of the University of Vermont (UVM) and is the former Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships at Purdue University. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF)’s just released the complete set of six modules of its Business Sense series, next level tools for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Written by VSJF’s team of business coaches, this free series shares their decades of experience in areas such as financials, operations, sales, marketing, human resources, and leadership and governance. VSJF provides tailored business management coaching, entrepreneurial support, and training to position Vermont-based entrepreneurs and small business owners in designated market sectors – agriculture, forestry, waste management, renewable energy, and environmental technology – for growth and long-term success.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) today announced the death of Ralph Morale, a supervised individual receiving palliative care at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Ralph Morale, 61, of Lyndonville, was lodged at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield on November 23, 2023. He was hospitalized for complex chronic medical conditions starting April 21, 2024, first at Springfield Hospital and subsequently at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC). On August 5, he was transferred to the Jack Byrne Center and placed on medical furlough due to his declining health condition and low risk to public safety. He was receiving palliative and hospice care until his passing on the morning of August 8. 

Vermont Business Magazine With retail “IV therapy” clinics and “medical spas” becoming increasingly common in Vermont, the Boards of Medical Practice, Nursing, Osteopathic Medicine, and Pharmacy released a joint statement clarifying the legal and regulatory requirements that apply to these services. “IV therapy” is a practice of administering intravenous “cocktails” of additives to saline that may include vitamins, minerals, or prescription drugs. Offered in retail therapy clinics or “medical spas,” IV therapy is marketed as a treatment for conditions such as dehydration, fatigue, and hangovers, or to aid individuals with athletic recovery or weight loss. The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) and Board of Medical Practice (BMP) have recently received reports of inappropriate activities occurring at IV therapy clinics/spas, including out-of-scope practice and unlicensed practice of medicine.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on August 8, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Brenden Sackal, 31, of Rockville, Rhode Island, with possessing an unregistered machine gun and possessing a machine gun lacking an identification number, in violation of the National Firearms Act. Sackal’s federal arraignment date has not yet been set. Sackal was scheduled to appear in Caledonia Superior Court today on related charges. According to court records, Sackal is alleged to have knowingly possessed an unregistered machine gun that lacked a serial number, specifically a privately manufactured 5.56 caliber AR-type pistol, on July 14, 2024. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Law and Graduate School students and faculty have been hard at work showcasing the school’s commitment to excellence and innovation in legal education and advocacy. From securing top honors at the National Animal Law Competition to introducing a new resource that defines food systems resilience in the context of the climate crisis, the following initiatives highlight the school’s role in advancing legal education and advocacy in critical areas including animal law, climate resilience, legal innovation and energy efficiency.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Arizona Board of Regents announced today that Suresh Garimella, president of the University of Vermont, is a candidate for the position of 23rd president of the University of Arizona. Typically, a major university will not publicly name any presidential candidate until that person is the de facto president-elect, much like Garimella was the presumptive new president when he was announced as the lone finalist at UVM in February 2019. As president of the University of Vermont, Garimella more than doubled the university's research enterprise and strengthened state and community relationships. Meanwhile, the University of Arizona is dealing with a $177 million deficit, the previous board chair stepped down earlier this year and the current president agreed to take a pay cut.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union proudly announces the official launch of the Vermont Federal Foundation, a new 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable foundation established to uplift the Vermont community and bolster organizations dedicated to aiding those in need. Vermont Federal Foundation will extend invaluable support through financial donations targeting the following key areas of impact: Sustainability; Building Strong Communities; Food Security; and Affordable & Stable Housing.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas released the August Vermont 2024 Candidates and Campaign Finance. This report is intended to improve transparency for campaign finance reporting during the 2024 campaign season. The August report reflects candidate filings as of the most recent filing deadline on August 1. The new report is provided as a snapshot of campaign finance filings as of August 7 at 8am, in the wake of the August 1 filing deadline. The Secretary of State’s Office plans to provide new reports for each reporting cycle after future deadlines (September 1, October 1, October 15, November 1, November 19, and December 15). 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announced the recipient of the Vermont Community Leadership Award at its 2024 Vermont Community Leadership Summit on August 6 at the Vermont State University Randolph Campus where over 450 attendees gathered for the day-long event. The Vermont Community Leadership Award is presented each year to celebrate Vermonters who exemplify “dedication, integrity and honorable service to community and to rural Vermont,” and who have had a “transformational” effect on their communities. VCRD presents the award to highlight the work of community heroes who epitomize the best spirit of local community service, who volunteer their time, and who have made their community better. This year, the Vermont Community Leadership Award is being presented to Charlie Hancock of Montgomery, Vermont.