Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and Austrian Ambassador to Unites States Petra Schneebauer today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) pledging close collaboration between the State of Vermont and Austria on advancing apprenticeships, vocational and professional education and training, and other work-based learning. They were joined by business leaders and stakeholders at Husky Technologies in Milton for the event and signing ceremony. 

Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center If you've not joined CONNEXVT yet, it's not too late to take advantage of our FREE YEAR OF FULL NATIONAL ACCESS offer! This valuable online platform connects all Vermont manufacturers, buyers, and suppliers in a single, searchable supply-chain solution. If you sign up by the November 20 deadline, using promo code vmec1year, you will have access to the national database of over 20 other states who've also joined the CONNEX Marketplace, a database of 140,000+ U.S. manufacturers and suppliers.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) is applauding the announcement of over $1 million in grants to the Northeastern Vermont Development Association of St Johnsbury, and the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) in Hartland, awarded by the US Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration through its ‘Build to Scale’ program.  The grants aim to accelerate technology entrepreneurship by increasing inclusive access to entrepreneurial assistance and startup capital. This announcement marks the 10th cohort of grantees for this program, awarded to 60 organizations across the country, and support innovation industries, such as agriculture technology (ag-tech), bioscience, advanced manufacturing, and health technology, among others. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today led a committee hearing titled, “Standing Up Against Corporate Greed: How Unions are Improving the Lives of Working Families,” which heard testimony from UAW International President Shawn Fain, Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien, AFA-CWA International President Sara Nelson, and other experts. Sanders also had to step in and break up a potential fight between a Teamsters official and a US senator.

Vermont Business Magazine Starting January 1, 2024, a new state law will prohibit the sale of specific mercury-containing fluorescent lightbulbs in Vermont. Restrictions include the sale of general purpose, indoor/outdoor, residential, and business mercury-containing four-foot linear, compact fluorescent, and twist-based fluorescent lightbulbs. Twist-based (GU-24) Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) are also restricted from sale. If your home or business currently uses these fluorescent bulbs, you will not be able to buy more after January 1, 2024. If your business sells these bulbs online or in a store, you will not be able to do so next year.

Vermont Business Magazine The 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report reveals that Vermont ranks in the top 5 in the nation for screening, early diagnosis, and 5-year survival rates when it comes to lung cancer. This means that Vermont is among the best places in the nation for those at risk for or living with lung cancer. The American Lung Association’s 6th annual report, released today, highlights the toll of lung cancer in Vermont and examines key indicators including new cases, survival, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment and screening rates. Nationally, the “State of Lung Cancer” report found that lung cancer survival rates are improving for everyone, including people of color. In fact, the five-year lung cancer survival rate for people of color has increased by 17% in the last two years, helping close the health disparity gap. “However, lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer deaths here in Vermont and across the nation, and our recent report makes it clear that we have more work to do to ensure that all those eligible for screening speak to their doctors.”

Vermont Business Magazine On Friday, November 3, the gated lot at Rutland Regional Medical Center was the site for a portable hospital demonstration by the Vermont Department of Health’s Medical Countermeasures Program and the Medical Reserve Corps. A portable hospital with a 20-bed capacity and a small surgical suite, was set up on the hospital’s campus. The unit has the capability of being heated or air conditioned, and it is accompanied by a trailer that contains hospital supplies, toilets, and showers.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Governor Phil Scott recently proclaimed November as Adoption Month in Vermont, recognizing the importance of ensuring every child has a permanent, safe, and entrusted family. Project Family, a partnership between Lund and the Department for Children and Families (DCF), works to find permanent families for children and youth. But more families are needed, especially for youth over the age of 14. The chances of a child under eight being adopted are almost nine times greater than for one over 14. 

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont College of Nursing and Health Sciences Exercise Science bachelor’s degree program has earned national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES). Accreditation status underscores the value of the comprehensive education UVM Exercise Science students receive in preparation for careers in the health, fitness, and exercise industry, and graduates of a CAAHEP-accredited exercise science program are eligible for advanced ACSM national certifications.

Vermont Business Magazine November is National Marrow Donor Month and this year it marks the 25th anniversary of the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP) at Rutland Regional Medical Center. The first marrow donor registration event was held on November 17, 1998, and the hospital is celebrating the 25th anniversary milestone on this same date, 25 years later. On Friday, November 17, between the hours of 11am to 4pm the hospital will be hosting a Be The Match Marrow Donor registration event. Registration is now done by scanning a QR code with one’s cell phone, filling out a short form, completing two check swabs, and the process is done.

Vermont Business Magazine Following a national search, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, announces that Robert Laba will be its next chief financial officer. Laba joins SVMC from Adirondack Health in Saranac Lake, NY, where he served as chief financial officer and vice president of finance of the 95-bed, community hospital since 2018. Most recently, he led a financial recovery plan yielding a projected $10 millioin turnaround from 2022 to 2023.  During his tenure at Adirondack Health, he was key to the $45 million modernization & renovation construction projects, which built a new Health & Medical Fitness Center in Lake Placid and a new, state of the art perioperative suite in the main hospital facility in Saranac Lake. 

The Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging (SVCOA) is thrilled to announce the release of our latest resources, the 2023 Holiday Food Resource Guide and the Older Adults Guide to Dining in Rutland and Bennington Counties, now available in the Nutrition Services section of the SVCOA website.  These guides are valuable tools designed to ensure a delightful and fulfilling holiday season for our community. We encourage you to share these resources widely with your networks and those you serve to support a joyous and nourishing celebration.