Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Starting tomorrow, the University of Vermont Medical Center will resume mandated masking for staff members providing direct patient care. Effective Thursday, January 11, employees are required to wear a mask in the following circumstances: When in a patient room, exam room, or when providing direct patient care; In non-patient-care interactions, upon a patient’s request.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV), the non-partisan political action arm of Vermont's environmental community, announced the release of the 2024 Environmental Common Agenda. This document serves as a comprehensive guide outlining this year’s top legislative priorities to address the urgent environmental challenges facing Vermont. This year, 19 organizations signed onto the Agenda. You can watch today's full press conference announcing the release of this year’s Common Agenda.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, US Senators Peter Welch (D-Vermont) was among those who led their colleagues in the bicameral, bipartisan introduction of the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act. This legislation would provide $7 billion for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides affordable high-speed internet options to qualifying households across the US. The program, which is administered by the FCC is projected to be exhausted by April 2024 without additional funding. Since its implementation, over 22.5 million households have utilized the program’s monthly discount of up to $30 for internet service, and up to $75 monthly for those living on Tribal lands. This program has been utilized by over 800,000 veterans, one million college students, 3.1 million families with a K-12 student receiving free or reduced-price lunch, and 5 million seniors across the United States. 

Vermont Business Magazine Funding is now available from the Vermont Women’s Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation for nonprofits that support economic security and provide career opportunities and programs that drive change for Vermont women and girls. The competitive grant program will award grants of up to $15,000 for proposals, including, those that: Make pathways to economic well-being more visible, accessible, and affordable for all women and girls In 2023, the Vermont Women’s Fund distributed $412,135 to 36 Vermont organizations. Those grantees reflect the fund’s mission to advance gender equity and justice. To view the list of 2023 grant recipients

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Economic Development announced today that 2023 reflected a strong year for captive insurance in the State of Vermont and that the New Year already is off to an even stronger start. Besides earning global recognition as the leading domicile for captive insurance, Vermont licensed a total of 38 new captive insurance companies in 2023, making it now home to 659 licensed captives, consisting of 632 active and 27 dormant captives. And, in 2024, it already has licensed 9 new captives. Vermont has licensed a total of 1,330 captive insurance companies to date. The growth in captive formations in 2023 is among the top ten highest since Vermont licensed its first captive in 1981.

Norwich University Board of Trustees Statement: On November 29, 2023, the Norwich University Board of Trustees was informed of some actions by Dr. Anarumo that may have violated University policies. Board leadership immediately initiated an independent outside investigation. When preliminary findings from the investigation were available and it was clear he violated Norwich’s core guiding values and University policy, Dr. Anarumo was placed on paid leave. Before the investigation report was finalized, Dr. Anarumo tendered his resignation, effective January 4, 2024, which was accepted by the Board of Trustees on January 9, 2024. 

Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is working to transform health care in our state by taking manageable steps toward health care reform on behalf of members through a new community provider value-based program: Enhanced Community Primary Care (ECPC) payments. The ECPC program joins Blue Cross VT’s growing portfolio of value-based payment initiatives including the Vermont Blue Integrated Care (VBIC) pilot, which is now entering its second year. These efforts replace previous participation in the Accountable Care Organization’s (ACO) primary care support program.

Vermont Business Magazine Last month the Commissioner of Financial Regulation ordered Colomont, Inc and its former CEO, Christopher Santee, to pay at least $419,000 in restitution to at least 375 individuals to whom Colomont and Mr. Santee sold corporate shares that were not registered with the Department of Financial Regulation (Department). Under the order, Colomont and Mr. Santee are required to repay Colomont investors the amount that each investor originally paid for their shares by no later than February 12, 2024. Colomont and Mr. Santee are also required to pay the Department an administrative penalty of $37,500. Colomont grows and sells cannabis and CBD products. Mr. Santee stepped down as CEO effective October 1, 2023, following a liver cancer diagnosis. Colomont is no longer selling shares in the firm.

Vermont Business Magazine AARP Vermont invites local eligible non-profit organizations and governments across the country to apply for the 2024 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now through March 6 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. AARP Community Challenge grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more. Now in its eighth year, the program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for all residents, especially those age 50 and older.

Vermont Business Magazine Nedde Real Estate has announced the lease of 2,463 Square feet of flex space at 1891 Williston  Road, South Burlington to Jenson Enterprises LLC d/b/a The Tree House Hardwoods. Fernando Cresta assisted the tenant and the landlord. Nedde Real Estate also has announced the lease of 1,925 Square feet of flex space at 1891 Williston  Road, South Burlington to Allied Lutherie LLC and Circle Strings, Fernando Cresta and Jaeger Nedde  assisted the tenant and the landlord. And more.

Vermont Business Magazine TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, with branches across Vermont, has announced $7 million in available grants through its 18th Annual Housing for Everyone grant program. This year, the competition will focus on non-profit organizations providing services to support independent living for marginalized community members, including rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing or transitional housing, across the Bank's Maine-to-Florida footprint and Michigan. Since its inception in 2005, the Housing for Everyone grant program has awarded more than $49 million to non-profit organizations and helped support over 550 affordable housing initiatives in the US communities TD serves.

Vermont Business Magazine RuralWorks Partners, LLC, an impact-driven investment firm in Middlebury committed to fostering rural community growth and environmental sustainability, has announced its strategic investment in American Unagi, Inc. (AU), the only producer and processor in the US of locally sourced and harvested American Eel (also known as Unagi). Located in rural Maine, this pioneering aquaculture company sells a range of live and value-add Unagi products to Michelin-star restaurants, other discerning consumers, and distributors throughout the United States. American Unagi is disrupting the traditional eel supply chain, from Maine to China, as it expands within the 5000 metric ton US market driven by consumers’ increasing demand for sustainable, traceable seafood.