Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The University of New England has announced that Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) will deliver the University’s 2024 Commencement address on Saturday, May 18. UNE’s 189th Commencement Ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. Sanders is serving his third term in the Senate after winning reelection in 2018. He gained strong support during his two runs for president, coming in second in both the 2016 and 2020 Democratic primaries. Combined with his 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Sanders is the longest-serving independent member of Congress in U.S. history.

Vermont Business Magazine Smokey House Center and Vermont State University were recently awarded a $995,146 grant through the Northern Border Regional Commission’s (NBRC) Forest Economy Program that will fund two exciting collaborative initiatives focused on research and innovation in the region’s forest sector. Funds to Vermont State University will support the expansion of the Forestry Accelerator program housed by Do North Coworking in Lyndonville that will help emerging companies in the forest sector bring their products to market. Smokey House Center’s 5,000-acre property will serve as a platform for piloting products and technologies developed through the innovation hub program.  

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Exactly four years ago today marks the first COVID-related press conference in Vermont. It was held outside the entrance to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. COVID had spread from Asia and across Europe in January 2020 and hit the Unted States later that month (though testing suggests it was already here in December 2019). The US confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on January 20, 2020, and the first death on February 6. The first case in Vermont was confirmed March 7 and the first deaths occurred on March 19, a male in White River Jct and a female in Burlington. The Vermont Department of Health was very circumspect on revealing who may have contracted COVID in order to protect personal information. That first presser at the hospital was held outside as a precaution. Information was moving fast but with much uncertainty with the spreading of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that COVID-19 cases fell steeply from over 200 to 112, their lowest level since early fall. In addition, hospitalizations continue to decline, and fatalities have fallen back after running about 6 a week this year. There was one fatality in this report, which is the fewest weekly number since last summer. The pandemic death total now stands at 1,132 as of March 2, 2024 (the most recent data available). Total reported deaths in January were 28, which is the highest monthly total in nearly a year, but only 15 so far for February and none so far reported in March. The VDH reported last week that COVID-19 hospitalizations were down another 5 to a statewide total of 17, which is the lowest they've been in several months.

Vermont Business Magazine Sunny Eappen, MD, MBA, President and CEO of the University of Vermont Health Network, has been recognized by Becker's Hospital Review as a “CEO to Know” in rural health care. With a relentless pursuit of innovation to address the longstanding challenges unique to rural communities, an emphasis on teamwork and problem-solving, and a focus on always putting patients first, Dr. Eappen has led the Network forward on initiatives to preserve and improve access to care in Vermont and Northern New York. Dr. Eappen’s team has made strides in enhancing digital access and strengthening connections among rural providers and patients. The implementation of shared electronic medical records, eConsults, and digital image archiving have facilitated communication and improved patient care.

Vermont Business Magazine The VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region offers weekly grief support groups in April and May. The groups are facilitated by Lori Rogers, Spiritual Care Coordinator at the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, and Jamie Losikoff-Kent, LCSW and Hospice Volunteer. The Manchester group will meet every Wednesday, beginning April 3 through May 29, from 1-2 pm. The Bennington group will meet every Thursday, beginning April 4 through May 30, from 4:00-5:00 pm. Group support meetings are free and open to the public. The Living with Loss Grief Support groups provides grief support to anyone in the community who has lost a loved one. Groups often allow participants to process their grief, share and receive helpful coping strategies, and create a community with others walking a similar path.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Business Roundtable’s Research and Education Foundation has unveiled an innovative report highlighting the pressing demand for skilled nursing professionals in the state within the next two years. According to the Vermont Department of Labor, the healthcare industry accounts for nearly 12% of Vermont’s workforce, employing more than 37,000 people as of the third quarter 2023. However, the sector has seen a decline of 1700 jobs, or approximately 4.5% compared to the same period in 2019. Nowhere is the shortage more acute than in residential care, where employment numbers have dropped by 11% since 2019. In comparison, both ambulatory (out-patient) and hospital employment numbers have decreased by 3% for the same period.

Vermont Business Magazine Today the Vermont Senate gave preliminary approval to S.191, a bill that would enable New Americans to access advancement grants through the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC). This bill intends to support New Americans in affording and entering into non-degree educational programs after arriving in Vermont. An advancement grant is intended to help Vermonters enhance job skills and improve employability. These grants can be used for non-degree educational purposes, or to help an individual start the process of getting their licensure in a specific field. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation announced the issuance of Bulletin 229, principally adopting the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Model on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Systems by Insurers. This approach balances important consumer protection and market integrity concerns with the advancements that AI may offer for insurance. The bulletin emphasizes transparency and accountability, and addresses issues related to the use of AI such as potential inaccuracies or unfair bias. It explains DFR’s position that existing state insurance laws and rules apply to insurer use of AI. Insurers are reminded that any decisions or actions impacting consumers that are made or supported by AI Systems must comply with all applicable insurance laws, including those addressing unfair trade practices and prohibiting unfair discrimination.

Vermont Business Magazine Monday night, Mayor Weinberger secured unanimous City Council approval to advance three priority projects that will support future growth and investment in Burlington and the creation of new housing, jobs, and improved transportation and public infrastructure for the future. At the regular meeting of the City Council, the body approved three separate actions: a pre-development agreement for the Memorial Block, a pre-development for the coordinated redevelopment of 13 acres of surface parking lot in the newly created South End Innovation District, and a slate of budget and contract amendments which together enable ongoing design and construction of the Champlain Parkway.

Vermont Business Magazine Standard Solar, a leading commercial and community solar developer and asset owner based in Maryland, has announced the acquisition of an 18.5-megawatt (MW) solar project portfolio in Vermont from local developer MHG Solar. The six projects, owned and operated by Standard Solar, will provide clean energy to Vermont’s electric utilities under the state’s Standard Offer Program. This purchase underscores Standard Solar’s commitment to promoting sustainable energy solutions and advancing the development of solar power in the region. The projects include Evergreen Solar, 2.9 MW in Fair Haven; Halladay Solar, 3.3 MW in Middlebury; Midway Solar, 3.3. MW in Berlin; Steinberg Solar, 3.3 MW in Brandon; Stone Mill Solar, 2.8 MW in Castleton; and Trolley Tracks Solar, 2.8 MW in Poultney. All projects are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Vermont Business Magazine iSun, Inc (NASDAQ: ISUN), a leading solar energy and clean mobility infrastructure company based in Williston with 50-years of experience accelerating the adoption of innovative electrical technologies, today announced the appointment of Robert J. (Bob) Zulkoski as Chief Executive Officer. Effective immediately, Bob Zulkoski is appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of iSun, Inc. Jeff Peck will remain full-time with iSun in a strategic advisory and operational role to support the CEO. He previously was with Conduit Capital Holdings US (now Infusive) and RuralWorks Partners, LLC in Middlebury.