Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Youth from around the state gathered at the Vermont State House last Wednesday, June 5th to help develop Vermont’s first-ever Civic Health Index, at an event co-hosted by the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office and UP for Learning, a youth advocacy organization. This year, Vermont joins the ranks of over 35 states that have already-completed a state Civic Health Index – a report on indicators related to voting habits, civic participation, and engagement with government. The final report will identify strengths and priorities for improvement in Vermont’s civic health. The Secretary of State’s Office will use it as a roadmap for increasing civic education and engagement across Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Mercy Connections and partners announce the Vermont Pride and Prosperity Network, a collaboration with Pride Center of Vermont, Small Business Administration, and the Office of the Vermont State Treasurer. The group aims to build power and prosperity for LGBTQIA2S+ business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in Vermont through connection, education, and celebration. The Vermont Pride and Prosperity Network is generously supported by the M&T Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of M&T Bank, as it awarded Mercy Connections with a funding commitment of $225,000 over the course of three years.

Vermont Business Magazine In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2024, and because of the prevalence of financial fraud perpetrated against older adults, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont has joined with its partners at the U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Diplomatic Security Service to share information and training with the Vermont elder community. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and its partners presented information and training at the Charlotte Senior Center on May 15, 2024, the Residences at the Essex on June 6, 2024, and will be presenting at the Shelburne Town Hall on June 24, 2024. 

Vermont Business Magazine Three nurses, two licensed nursing assistants (LNAs) and one licensed practical nurse (LPN) at Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC), a member of Dartmouth Health, were recently recognized for providing extraordinary patient care with DAISY Awards by the DAISY Foundation, an international organization founded to celebrate nurses. The hospital also awarded some of these outstanding nurses with a PETALS Award, which stands for ‘Professional Extraordinaires That Always Lend Support.’ The DAISY Committee at MAHHC, which scores blinded nominations and selects winners, awarded Kimberly Rich, RN, CAPA, the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. As a clinical supervisor in the surgical services department, Rich supports the staff, provides exceptional care to patients and provides educational opportunities for fellow nurses. Nurses Lily Burke, RN and Ruth Doiron, RN, also received DAISY Awards.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports has announced it is accepting proposals for its 2024 Outdoor Fitness and Sports Access Grants (“OFSAG”) starting today. OFSAG provides funding for the development or continuation of community initiatives that enhance access to sports and fitness activities for all Vermonters, particularly members of historically and/or presently marginalized or underrepresented communities. The grant period, slated from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, offers an opportunity for organizations to propose new—or enhance existing—programming that fosters inclusivity and accessibility in fitness and sports. In keeping with its mission, the Council recognizes the importance of addressing systemic barriers that have historically deterred or excluded certain communities from participating in these activities, and seeks to support initiatives addressing these issues, in part, through this grant program.

Vermont Business Magazine Recently, Rutland Regional Medical Center’s Nursing Excellence Team honored two nurses and the Operating Room team with the Daisy Award for extraordinary nurses. The ceremony took place in the hospital’s CVPS/Leahy Community Health Education Center with nurse leaders and nursing staff. The DAISY (an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation was started in Glen Allen, CA by family members of J. Patrick Barnes, who died from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. As a way of thanking Barnes’ nurses, his family established the award program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses everywhere perform every day.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today allowed three bills to become law without his signature: H.612, An act relating to miscellaneous cannabis amendments; H.630, An act relating to improving access to high-quality education through community collaborations; and H.875, An act relating to the State Ethics Commission and the State Code of Ethics. In the cannabis bill, he noted that the bill closes some loopholes, but is concerned about higher potency medical cannabis getting into the hands of people who are not medically qualified to receive it. Scott has generally been concerned with the legalization of cannabis for, among other reasons, the potential for kids getting a hold of such products and for creating more opportunities for people to drive impaired.

Vermont Business Magazine The Stowe Area Excellence Awards, presented at the Stowe Area Association (SAA) Annual Meeting on June 4, 2024 at the Backyard, recognize leadership and innovation within the local community. Carolyn Lawrence, executive director at Stowe Trails Partnership, was awarded the inaugural Stowe Emerging Leader Award. Nominated by fellow SAA members, this award recognizes individuals who embody the highest levels of personal and professional accomplishment and who serve as role models in the Stowe business community. Rachel Vandenberg, co-owner of Sun & Ski Inn and Suites, Stowe Bowl and Stowe Golf Park, was named SAA's Stowe Business Person of the Year. This award recognizes an SAA member in good standing who is involved in the community with town projects or sits on a town board, acts as an ambassador of Stowe, and participates in the tourism industry. 

Vermont Business Magazine Despite a national Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) debacle which has delayed college decisions typically made on May 1 to June 1, Vermont State University (VTSU) is on track to welcome a larger class this fall than in fall 2023. Just how much larger remains to be seen, as students have until classes start in August to enroll. Colleges and universities around the country have been alarmed by the rollout of the new, streamlined FAFSA form, and have deployed additional resources to ensure families have the financial information they need to make decisions. At VTSU, significantly more students are enrolling, particularly in online programming. 

Vermont Business Magazine During Make-A-Wish Night at Centennial Field, six-year-old Wish Kid Lila from Manchester, Vermont, kicked off the evening's game against the visiting Westfield Starfires with a heartwarming rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Immediately following her performance, a special announcement was made revealing that Make-A-Wish Vermont would be granting Lila's wish for a community stage in her hometown. This exceptional and thoughtful wish—one that gives back to her community—will be built by Vermont Construction Company at Hunter Park in Manchester, Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Council on Rural Development, along with an advisory group of youth leaders and adults that work with and support youth, are announcing the release of the “VT Vision for Youth Success” report today to showcase bright spots, challenges, and concrete action recommendations to advance opportunities for youth in Vermont communities. This report is the culmination of a deep engagement process that included the voices and insights of over 600 Vermonters of all ages, including more than 200 youth voices. Input was captured through a series of youth-adult co-facilitated forums in every region of the state, stakeholder interviews, youth-led discussion around the state, and a statewide survey reaching every corner of Vermont. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Education in partnership with The Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets recognized six supervisory unions (SU/SDs) that have achieved the highest rates of local purchasing through The Local Foods Incentive Grant program established in 2021. The efforts of schools, farms, community partners, and the state continue to create new and exciting partnerships that are boosting both the economy and food access across the state. Windham Northeast has paved the way for this program’s success in recent years. In recognition of their success and to recognize the other programs making impressive strides, on Monday June 10 Interim Secretary Zoie Saunders held an event with the school community at Bellows Falls Union High School.