Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce recently conducted its annual State of the Commerce survey, providing valuable insights into the prevailing economic trends and sentiments about the regional economy. The survey, which saw participation from businesses and organizations across various sectors and towns in the region, highlighted both the challenges faced by businesses and their hopes for the future. 

Vermont Business Magazine Sean Diehl, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and molecular genetics at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine, has played a significant role in advancing Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prevention. His innovative methods, approach, and consequential findings influenced the development of a recent groundbreaking RSV antibody treatment, Beyfortus (nirsevimab). RSV, a common respiratory virus with serious implications for infants and young children, has long posed public health challenges. Diehl's collaboration with Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC) in the early 2000s led to notable progress in RSV prevention.

Vermont Business Magazine Two captive insurance media publications are now naming Vermont the top captive insurance domicile in the world. The main data point utilized in determining domicile ranking is the number of active captives licensed in a domicile. The data shows that Vermont has been steadily growing at a faster pace than its top competitors, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, in recent years and has now surpassed these top competitors based on the current number of captive insurance companies that are active in the domicile with Vermont at 639, Bermuda at 633, and the Cayman Islands at 559 captives at the end of 2022. This is a longtime coming, since 1981, when the State of Vermont focused on creating laws to take advantage of this then little-known insurance program. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont could see a significant transition of its energy management and transmission sources in the coming years. The state’s Public Utility Commission has begun the process of developing the Clean Heat Standard as mandated by the Legislature. Lawmakers overrode a gubernatorial veto to enact the law, which the PUC must now develop. Meanwhile, the weather impacts from the July rainstorms do not appear to have had a significant adverse impact on the electric grid. Regional electric manager ISO New England, in its report in late spring, said the power supply is expected to be sufficient this summer. However, smoke from Canadian wildfires has lessened solar voltaic output in the region. It will take some time to determine the ultimate cost to consumers. The hazy skies also somewhat lower air temperatures, which in the summer would lower demand. The effects of those two competing factors are not yet known.

Vermont Business Magazine The two Disaster Recovery Centers in Londonderry and Plainfield will close permanently at 7 p.m. Aug. 6.

Vermont State Police he Vermont State Police investigation into Saturday’s shooting in Danville is continuing. The deceased man is identified as Wayne Payton, 50, of Danville. An autopsy performed Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023, at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington determined his cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death is a homicide.

Vermont Business Magazine FEMA, in partnership with the State of Vermont, is hiring state residents to assist with recovery from the July floods, severe storms, landslides and mudslides. The agency has several openings for short-term, full-time jobs based at FEMA’s temporary offices in the surrounding areas. The temporary positions are for 120 days, but may be extended based on the needs of the disaster. More positions may open if needed.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Mike Smith has a lot of work to do and not much time in which to do it. But he has a plan on how to lead Vermont State University through an auspicious and difficult nascence. On April 14, less than three months before the university’s July 1 launch, the man hired a year ago as its first president, Parwinder Grewal, resigned, citing personal reasons. The school’s board of trustees appointed Smith, former secretary of the Vermont Agency of Human Services, as interim president later that day.

Vermont Business Magazine This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will have traffic impacts on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont for the Week of August 7. Some projects are not included in the report this week as they have been temporarily suspended due to flood damage, the work site is inaccessible, or the contractors were repositioned to assist AOT with emergency response and repairs. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it. 

by Steven Berbeco Youth mental health has been a priority of our state government and many organizations. During the pandemic, when so many social structures became unsteady, Vermont prioritized child care and school-aged youth through generous financial assistance programs and significant and swift regulatory changes. As a result, we were able to keep many of our youngest Vermonters in some semblance of normalcy during the chaos of world-wide disruptions.

Vermont Business Magazine Following the flooding event from July 7-12, 2023, President Biden approved Governor Phil Scott’s request for a major disaster declaration for Vermont to assist individuals, businesses, and communities recover. The declaration covers Chittenden, Lamoille, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Winsor Counties. The contiguous counties of Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Franklin, Grand Isle, Orange, and Orleans are eligible for certain limited assistance. Evaluations by FEMA and other federal and state officials continue and other areas may be added to the declaration. Also, the declaration dates remain open-ended in case further weather events occur.  

Agency of Commerce and Community Development The Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) application is live and has been accepting submissions since Thursday afternoon. Some submitted applications are incomplete, open article to see some reminders for businesses and nonprofits that want to apply. The $20M BEGAP grant program is for organizations that suffered physical damage in the flood that began July 7, 2023.  The money is to be used towards reopening their doors and getting their employees back to work as soon as possible.