Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Earlier this summer, the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Board of Commissioners awarded just under $10 million from Vermont's newly launched Rental Revolving Loan Fund (RRLF). These awards will fund development of 265 apartments for middle-income households in nine Vermont communities across the state. The RRLF was created as part of Vermont's Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone (HOME) Act, which was signed into law on June 5, 2023. The Act created RRLF to incentivize the creation and preservation of rental housing for middle-income households earning between 65%-150% of the Area Median Income (AMI). A middle-income two-person Vermont household making 100% AMI is currently defined as having annual income of $82,000-$95,000 depending on location.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine For the week ending July 27, the Vermont Department of Health reported that there has been a continuing growth in the number of cases in Vermont, but there have been only 4 COVID-19 related deaths since the beginning of June. COVID fatalities are at 1,159 since the beginning of the pandemic over four years ago. The weekly report also shows that hospitalizations and general "syndromic" cases remain low but have increased somewhat in the last few weeks to about 10 people being treated at a Vermont hospital each week. The number of COVID cases is elevated and has quadrupled from the beginning of the summer, with a weekly total now of 234. Along with the case numbers, wastewater monitoring has shown spikes in virus in Burlington and Montpelier.

Vermont Business Magazine Colchester-based Age Well is thrilled to announce that it has received the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California, which honors alumni who have achieved recognition for their philanthropic or volunteer service to the university and to society. The Distinguished Alumni Award 2024 Recipient is Jeffrey Mbarushimana, DrPH(c), MHA, LSSMBB, ACHE, Age Well’s Director of Resource Navigation. As a graduate student at the University, Jeffrey has been sharing news and information with his doctoral advisors and professors at the university, regarding the work that Age Well does. They have done their own research about Age Well and at their recent Public Health Service Appreciation Reception, honored the organization with a Distinguished Service Award. 

Vermont Business Magazine After a thorough executive search, the Vermont Natural Resources Council is pleased to announce that Lauren Hierl has been selected as the organization’s new Executive Director. Hierl will officially begin her role on August 19, 2024. VNRC is looking forward to welcoming in a new era of growth while celebrating the strides current Executive Director Brian Shupe has made during his 13-year tenure leading the organization. Since stepping into the Executive Director role in 2011, VNRC has doubled its staff and budget while expanding its mission. VNRC’s strategic partnership with Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV) also began during Shupe’s tenure. Hierl currently heads up VCV, making her uniquely qualified to build on VNRC’s strengths and work to strengthen the organization. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) announced today that the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the USDA has awarded $577,325 to the State of Vermont as a part of the Organic Certification Cost Share Program. The application is now open for certified operations to apply for these funds. Certified organic operations may receive reimbursement of up to 75% of their direct certification costs paid between October 1 and September 30 annually, not to exceed $750 per certification scope. There are up to four eligible certification scopes (crops, livestock, wild crops, and handling), which must be individually inspected for organic certification to be eligible for reimbursement.

Vermont Business Magazine Due to the increase in the number of cases of raccoon rabies reported in Vermont since March 2024 and their proximity to Québec, the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs will be distributing vaccine bait in the Estrie and Montérégie regions from August 7 to 24, 2024. The aim of this vaccination operation is to limit the risk of raccoon rabies being reintroduced into Québec. It will immunize raccoons, skunks and foxes against raccoon rabies, which will help to protect human health. Rabies is a contagious, fatal disease that can infect all mammals, so it can be transmitted from infected animals to humans. The Estrie and Montérégie are the border regions with Vermont and include Sherbrooke.

Vermont Business Magazine A Vermont Superior Court judge yesterday denied the City of Burlington’s motion to dismiss a police use-of-force and discrimination case, clearing the way for the ACLU of Vermont’s lawsuit to move forward on all claims. The case stems from a 2021 incident in which Burlington police and paramedics needlessly escalated an interaction with Cathy Austrian’s child (“J.A.”), used excessive force and injected him with ketamine, and forcibly removed him from his bedroom and home. J.A., a Black teenager with a documented history of complex trauma and behavioral and intellectual disabilities, was fourteen years old at the time of the incident.

Vermont Business Magazine Shalina Nair, M.D., M.B.A., executive vice chair of clinical services and innovation at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and medical director for Population Health Outreach at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, has been appointed as the new chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at University of Vermont (UVM) and UVM Health Network, following a national search. Her appointment will be effective November 1, 2024. The announcement was made by Richard L. Page, M.D., Dean of the Larner College of Medicine, and Jason Sanders, M.D., M.B.A., President and CEO UVM Health Network Medical Group and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at Larner.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Teddy Bear is now part of a heartwarming initiative that has united Vermont’s business community in support of a local hero, young Henry. When For Henry AHC Inc., reached out to Teddy Bear with a heartfelt request to create a special “Henry Bear.” They were honored to contribute to this inspiring cause. Henry, a courageous 4-year-old Vermonter, faces the daily challenges of a rare genetic neurological condition called Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC). This condition causes him severe seizures, breathing difficulties, and temporary paralysis. Despite the grim prognosis and the lack of a current treatment or cure, Henry’s parents have shown incredible determination by founding For Henry AHC Inc. to seek a groundbreaking treatment for their son and others with similar conditions.

Vermont Business Magazine The Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV) has announced its membership in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. This initiative aims to raise awareness of hidden disabilities and foster more accessible and inclusive environments through the use of the Sunflower symbol. With over 1 billion people worldwide experiencing some form of disability, many of which are not visible, this program is crucial. Nearly 100 million passengers travel through Leahy BTV airport each year, and this initiative will significantly enhance accessibility for all travelers.

Vermont Business Magazine Fifty former patients and family members, donors, and Copley providers, staff, and Board Members gathered on Tuesday, July 23 to celebrate the official opening of the William B. DeLaney Infusion Center. The new Infusion Center, which serves 2,500 patients a year, is named for a former patient and longtime Copley supporter, the late William B. DeLaney, thanks to a generous gift from Bill’s wife Beverly DeLaney. Though Bill and Beverly lived for over 50 years in Cleveland, Ohio, they spent annual summer vacations in Craftsbury. 

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced that Jodi Lathrop, 55, of Bristol, was sentenced today in United States District Court in Burlington to 15 months of imprisonment following her guilty plea to charges of wire fraud and federal tax evasion. U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions III also ordered that Lathrop pay restitution totaling approximately $479,000, pay a fine of $15,000, and serve a two-year period of supervised release following completion of her prison term. The court directed Lathrop to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on September 10, 2024, to begin serving her sentence.