Current News

Vermont Business Magazine At his weekly press conference today, Governor Phil Scott reiterated his call for the Legislature to prioritize public safety this session. He highlighted proposals from his Administration currently being considered by the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. The Governor’s proposals include addressing accountability for repeat offenders, strengthening and modernizing our drug trafficking laws, investments in public safety and prevention measures, and more. In addition to policy changes, the Governor’s budget proposal also makes investments in the Judiciary for two new judges to address increased demand and backlogs, as well as making permanent 20 mental health workers embedded in our State Police barracks.

Vermont Business Magazine Breeze Airways, the U.S.’ only NLCC, or ‘Nice Low Cost Carrier,’ today inaugurates new service from Burlington to Orlando just two weeks after launching at Patrick Leahy International with service to Tampa. Fares for the new route start from just $69* one way, if purchased by February 19 for travel from February 26 to August 30.   Breeze will also start nonstop service to Raleigh-Durham along with one-stop BreezeThru service to Jacksonville in May.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced today the immediate availability of $1.2 million in “quick release” Emergency Relief (ER) funds for the Vermont Agency of Transportation. The funds will offset costs of emergency repair work to restore Bridge 129 on Vermont Route 14 in Irasburg, which was destroyed by a tanker truck fire in early December. On December 4, 2023, a tanker truck crashed into Bridge 129 on Vermont Route 14 in Irasburg, Vermont. The truck collided with the structure and then caught fire below, resulting in the total destruction of the bridge. VTrans has evaluated the bridge and determined it has extensive damage and must be replaced. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union (VFCU) and WCAX-TV are proud to announce the conclusion of their first-ever Great Vermont Coat Drive, resulting in more than 1,000 coats collected to be distributed to community members in need. Hosted by both VFCU and WCAX, the Coat Drive saw major success, receiving a surplus of coats from community members that will not only be distributed through the Vermont Department of Children and Families, but also to regional donation centers. 

Vermont Business Magazine TD Bank, with branches across Vermont, has named Don Baker Commercial Market President of Northern New England. In this expanded role, Baker will lead the commercial and small business banking teams in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Baker has more than 30 years of banking experience. He most recently served as TD's Commercial Market President for Vermont, where he was responsible for the growth and expansion of commercial and small business lending and deposits in the state. Prior to assuming this role, Baker served in middle market and commercial leadership roles, including the Vermont Market President & Team Leader, Middle Market, at Key Bank.

Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (Blue Cross) has selected Rutland Regional Medical Center as a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community. Rutland Regional Medical Center is currently the sole Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care Program in the state of Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Barr Hill Gin, the most awarded gin in the United States and #1 selling gin in Vermont, announces that the bar at its Gin Lane Distillery is a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar, a recognition of excellence in the culinary world. Barr Hill is one of only two distilleries nominated for the esteemed award and the only distillery nominated that boasts national distribution. Barr Hill Gin’s Distillery also becomes the first Vermont bar to receive a nomination in the Outstanding Bar category, underscoring the state's growing prominence in the culinary and spirits industries.

Vermont Business Magazine Girls on the Run Vermont (GOTRVT), a statewide nonprofit organization for girls in 3rd-8th grade, has announced the launch of the 2024 Rick Hashagen Limitless Potential Scholarship Awards at the last of three statewide coach training events, held at Essex Middle School on February 10. This year’s Scholarship Awards, designed in celebration of the organization’s 25th anniversary, will be presented to two GOTRVT alumni in the amount of $2,500 each, renewable for up to three years, up to $10,000 total each. The application, which details the parameters for qualification, will go live on February 15th.

Vermont Business Magazine The 29th Annual Burlington & Cool Schools Penguin Plunge presented by Community Bank was held on Saturday, February 10th at the Burlington Waterfront. 1,000 people plunged into the frigid waters of Lake Champlain on an unseasonably warm day to show their support for Special Olympics athletes in Vermont. The Penguin Plunge is the largest fundraising event for Special Olympics Vermont, and this year, a record-breaking $675,000 was raised to support sports training and competition opportunities across local and school programs, health screenings, and leadership opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The M&T Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of M&T Bank, with branches in Vermont (NYSE: MTB), today announced $8.2 million in donations to 68 nonprofit organizations across New England and Long Island and Rockland County New York. The announcement is the second round of giving as part of the company's Amplify Fund grant, a commitment by M&T Bank to work with groups dedicated to addressing social issues through a racial equity and social justice lens in low- and moderate- income communities and underrepresented populations. First announced in May 2022, the Amplify Fund is a $25 million philanthropic investment as part of the merger between People's United Bank and M&T Bank. Powered by the M&T Charitable Foundation, the Amplify Fund is a one-time supplemental charitable giving program to provide further support in the legacy People's United communities. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that COVID-19 cases fell to their lowest level since early November and hospitalizations also were down for nearly the same timeframe. However, there were 6 fatalities, which has been about the average since mid-December. The pandemic death total now stands at 1,118 as of February 3, 2024 (the most recent data available). Total reported deaths in January were 28, which is the highest monthly total in nearly a year.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) released the following statement after voting against sending taxpayer dollars to support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bombing campaign in Gaza: “I cannot, in good faith, send more U.S. taxpayer dollars to fund Prime Minister Netanyahu’s relentless bombing campaign in Gaza... The National Security Supplemental also included provisions to address other U.S. national security priorities, including bolstering Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russia’s brutal invasion. I unequivocally support Ukraine. I regret that the funding for Ukraine was packaged with the military aid for Israel, which I oppose.”