Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) and its partners invite eligible community partners to apply for the Region 2 Vermont Prevention Lead Organization (VPLO) grant. Funds from $10,000 to $50,000 will be awarded through a competitive process with the objective of expanding prevention efforts for all substances and all ages/populations. As the Prevention Lead, Rutland Regional is guiding substance use prevention activities and sub-granting funds to community partners located in Addison and Rutland counties. Funding will start July 1, 2024, and must be used by June 30, 2025, there will be no carryover of funds. All written applications are due by 12pm on March 26, 2024. A funding workshop overview will be held on February 28, 2024, from 1pm-2:30pm. This workshop will be recorded and available for review and reference.

Universal Health Care Caucus The untenability and unaffordability of our current healthcare system is undeniable. An estimated 44% of Vermonters under the age of 65 are underinsured and cannot afford to use the insurance benefits for which they pay exorbitant premiums. It has been difficult to both increase access and control cost in a system designed for the few to profit off of the suffering of the many. Regardless of income, assets, health status, or any other social determinant, all people deserve affordable, high-quality, comprehensive health care as a public good. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union has again secured its position as a Top Performing Lender by the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) in 2023. Tim Daniska, Chief Lending Officer at Vermont Federal Credit Union, expressed his enthusiasm about this achievement, stating, "Our mortgage team is committed to helping Vermonters achieve their dream of owning a home, and this recognition is a testament to our dedication." 

Vermont Business Magazine VMEC, Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center, has released its annual impact report.  As Vermont’s only singularly-focused resource for manufacturers, VMEC is the official representative of the MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) National Network in the Green Mountain State. Since its inception in 1995, VMEC’s federal partner, NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, has used an independent third-party organization to conduct surveys of VMEC clients as well as other MEP Centers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Human Services is pleased to announce the launch of the Medicaid Data Aggregation & Access Program (MDAAP), which is designed to support eligible providers in implementing health information technology to better manage records and to facilitate care coordination through data sharing electronically with the Vermont Health Information Exchange (VHIE). MDAAP is tailored for Vermont mental health providers, substance use disorder treatment providers, and long-term services and supports providers who were ineligible for previous federal electronic health record (EHR) incentive programs.

Vermont Business Magazine This February, in recognition of American Heart Month, members of Copley’s cardiology team - Drs. Adam Kunin and Michael Hayes and Cardiac Nurse Practitioner, Nadia Fletcher - share their tips for a healthy heart. According to Dr. Kunin, it is generally much easier to prevent a heart attack than it is to treat a heart attack once it has occurred: “Comprehensive cardiac prevention involves evaluating a person’s overall risk of having a cardiac event and looking at various ways to prevent such an event from happening.” Kunin says that an important piece of prevention is recognizing that you may not know all the possible risks and trying to identify them through advanced testing.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that COVID-19 cases again fell to their lowest level since early November and hospitalizations also were down for nearly the same timeframe. There were again 4 fatalities, which is slightly fewer than they've been in about two months. The pandemic death total now stands at 1,128 as of February 17, 2024 (the most recent data available). Total reported deaths in January were 28, which is the highest monthly total in nearly a year, and 11 so far in February. The VDH reported February 21, 2024, that COVID-19 hospitalizations were down 3 last week to a statewide total of 25. COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH. Reported cases last week were 180, down 30 for the week.  Of the total deaths to date, 910 have been of Vermonters 70 or older. There have been 3 deaths of Vermonters under 30 since the beginning of the pandemic. 

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center has announced the recipients of the 2023 Rutland Regional Medical Center and Community Physician and Advanced Practice Provider of the Year Awards. These awardees were selected from more than thirty nominees, representing a diverse group of exceptional individuals who represent and reflect the quality of the medical staff. Awards are given to two physicians and two advanced practice providers representing Rutland Regional Medical Center and the Rutland area community.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department for Children and Families Economic Services Division (ESD) is excited to announce the relocation of its Burlington office from 119 Pearl Street to 128 Lakeside Avenue. The move comes as the State sells the Zampieri State Office Building at 119 Pearl Street in Burlington, which currently houses ESD’s local office and the Department of Health. ESD’s transition will occur over the weekend of March 8, with the new office ready to serve the community on Monday, March 11. There are no changes in services expected during this time. 

Vermont Business Magazine Several business leaders from across Vermont convened for an afternoon of testimony before the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee on Friday, February 23, 2024. The hearing underscored the critical role of manufacturing as an economic driver of Vermont’s economy, while also highlighting the opportunities and challenges unique to manufacturing in Vermont. The committee’s Chair also recognized Chris Carrigan, Vice President of Business Development, for his 16 years of service to the industry. In his opening testimony, Chris Carrigan elevated the Vermont Chamber’s work on supportive tax policies and transforming the state into a supply chain hub by bringing buyers, suppliers, and partners together. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections today announced the death of Alfred Brochu, an incarcerated individual at Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility (TCCF). Alfred Brochu, 71, of Newport, Vermont, was found unresponsive in his cell at 12:14pm (CST) on Sunday, February 25. TCCF medical staff immediately began life-saving measures and called for emergency medical services. Mr. Brochu regained consciousness and was taken by ambulance to Northwest Delta Regional Medical Center (NDRMC) in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where he was listed in critical condition. Mr. Brochu passed away at NDRMC at 12:32am (CST). Mr. Brochu’s death does not appear suspicious at this time. Mr. Brochu was incarcerated in 2003 and serving a Life Without Parole sentence on charges of Aggravated Murder.

Vermont State Police A suspect has been arrested in connection with the Jan. 23, 2024, fatal shooting of 38-year-old Christina Chatlos in St. Johnsbury. The suspect, a 15-year-old male from Springfield, Massachusetts, will be charged as an adult in Vermont with second-degree murder. He is accused of fatally shooting Chatlos during a confrontation outside 510 Portland St. in St. Johnsbury. The suspect initially was taken into custody after the shooting on an unrelated warrant from the state of Massachusetts. He was extradited there and remained in juvenile custody as the investigation into the St. Johnsbury homicide progressed. On Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, the Massachusetts State Police arrested the suspect on the Vermont murder warrant. He was expected to make an initial appearance later Monday in juvenile court in Hampden County, Massachusetts.