Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont National Guard is inviting the public to its 2nd annual Open House, set to take place at Camp Johnson in Colchester, Vermont on September 9th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is an opportunity for the community to connect with our servicemen and servicewomen, gain insights into military operations, and partake in an array of family-friendly activities. Visitors will have the chance to see equipment, vehicle, and unit displays, providing a tangible glimpse into the machinery and strategic tools employed by the Vermont National Guard. There will also be a variety of food options available at a cost.

Vermont Business Magazine Copley Hospital in Morrisville and North Country Hospital in Newport now have telemedicine equipment that allows both audio and visual communication between each of these two rural critical access hospitals and the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington during the transport process for newborns with life-threatening conditions. Newborns in need of critical care in Vermont are often transported to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at The UVM Children’s Hospital – the only NICU in Vermont – when they are born prematurely, are in need of supportive measures like respiratory therapy or require life-saving care and surgery. But the precarious time between childbirth and before babies arrive at the NICU can present its own challenges, especially when the babies can be a two-hour drive away.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported August 23, 2023, that COVID-19 hospitalizations increased to a statewide total of 31, up from 25 from last week and from 7 the week before. Cases and hospitalizations have risen over the summer. However, COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH. Reported cases last week were 219 up from 165 and 112 the previous two weeks. The CDC has stated that a new booster will be available this fall and that an estimated 97% of Americans have some level of immunity, from either vaccination or infection or both, which will help keep down new transmission and lessen serious outcomes. There were 3 COVID-related deaths reported last week, after 5 the week before and zero the week before that, for a pandemic total of 1,004 as of August 19, as fatalities have slowed from prior years. 

Vermont Business Magazine At the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR), volunteers play a critical role in enhancing the end-of-life experiences of people facing serious illness and their families. Volunteers represent all life experiences and are drawn to hospice for a variety of reasons, but the defining characteristics that unite them are compassion and the desire to help others. Their many skills are matched to important tasks within our mission. 

Vermont Business Magazine “Talk away the dark” is the message of this year’s Out of the Darkness Walk. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) emphasizes that talking is the first step to preventing suicide. The goal of the annual community walk is to heighten suicide prevention awareness and emphasize that it’s a journey of remembrance, hope and support that can unite the community.

by John McClaughry On August 12 Vermont Digger’s health care reporter Kristin Fountain headlined her story “Nearly all of Vermont’s hospitals are seeking double digit percentage increases in income from patient services for 2024 over 2022, setting the stage for a likely battle with health care regulators.” At about the same time the Green Mountain Care Board, the state’s regulatory agency, issued a decision reducing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont’s individual premium rate increase request from 18.0% to 14.0% and its small group plan request from 17.5% to 13.3%.

Vermont Business Magazine On Friday, September 15, HomeShare Vermont’s Executive Director Kirby Dunn is stepping down from the position she’s held for the past 23 years. Dunn has overseen many changes at the non-profit since joining in 2000, as the program has grown from serving one county to seven and emerging as a leader among other states, a model studied because of its organization and successes. HomeShare Vermont connects people to share homes for mutual benefit (rent, chores or a combination of the two) and its careful vetting process works to create strong matches that meet homeowners’ and guests’ needs. 

Vermont Business Magazine Thanks to the communities’ support, St Johnsbury’s NFP has officially awarded a $10,000 donation to Alzheimer's Association, Vermont Chapter, a local organization dedicated to eliminating Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. The $10,000 award will allow the Vermont Chapter to recruit new volunteers and expand outreach efforts with their support programs to better help individuals and their care partners navigate this disease. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont residents and businesses approved for a disaster loan from the US Small Business Administration due to severe storms and flooding from July 7 through July 17, 2023, have two years from the date of their loan approval to request an increase to prevent or minimize damages from similar disasters in the future. Mitigation funds from the SBA are an affordable way for survivors to rebuild smarter, stronger, and pay for improvements that protect life and property.

Vermont Business Magazine This month, Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) commemorates the one-year anniversary of the enactment of the CHIPS and Science Act, bipartisan legislation that made historic investments in semiconductor and chip manufacturing and clean energy technology development. The bill is a major step forward to create good paying green jobs, support domestic manufacturing, and advance U.S. economic competitiveness in high growth industries. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Development Division (CDD) today announced a new program to support child care, preschool, and afterschool programs with stabilization, expansion, and quality improvement efforts. The 2023 Child Care and Early Childhood Education law (Act 76) created the Readiness Payment Program to support child care, preschool, and afterschool programs in "getting ready" for the expansion of the Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP) and other changes in Act 76. 

Vermont Business Magazine Sunday was a busy day at the Champlain Valley Fair as we scanned in 16,510 Fairgoers to the “Ten Best Days of Summer!” This is up nearly 40% in paid attendance and 20% in total scanned attendees from our 5-year average for opening Sunday. It wasn’t just active at the gates. They parked over 5,000 vehicles and organized off-site parking and bus shuttles for the first time in eleven years. Their midway partner, Strates Shows, also had a banner day even after opening rides to the public with 100 minutes for free.