Current News

Vermont Business Magazine KeyBank Foundation, the non-profit charitable foundation of KeyBank, has made a $30,000 donation to the American Red Cross-Northern New England Region to support flood relief efforts in Vermont. The funds will be directed by the Vermont Red Cross chapter to assist residents and communities throughout Vermont that have been impacted by the heavy rains and flooding over the past couple weeks. 

Vermont State Police Law enforcement and first responders from throughout Vermont, New England and beyond joined the Rutland City Police Department and greater Rutland community to pay their respects to fallen Officer Jessica Ebbighausen. Officer Ebbighausen’s funeral will take place today from 10-11:30 a.m. at the University Pavilion at Vermont State University, Castleton Campus, located at 360 South St. in Castleton.

Vermont Department of Labor As you may be aware, the unprecedented weather conditions have caused significant disruptions throughout the state. Please be advised that Unemployment Insurance claimants who typically receive paper checks may see a multi-day delay in payment. If you are an existing claimant, please continue to file as usual through the claimant portal. Also, Workers’ Compensation administrative offices are experiencing a temporary interruption due to recent flooding. 

The Vermont Secretary of State’s Office is reaching out to let you know about changes in our operations, with resources if your business has been impacted by the flooding, and information about volunteering to help those impacted. Like so many others in our mighty little state of Vermont, the Secretary of State’s Office in Montpelier has been flooded and while it does appear that we may have been more fortunate than many, we are currently unable to access our regular offices on State Street in Montpelier.

Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross is committed to helping Vermont families recover from last week’s catastrophic flooding event – and our operation continues to grow as we reach more affected communities every day. When an emergency happens, the Red Cross delivers help to whoever needs it. More than 200 Red Cross volunteers from across the country have deployed to the Green Mountains to feed, shelter and support Vermonters during their time of need.

Vermont Business Magazine United Counseling Service (UCS) wins 2023 Vermont Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness Gold Level Award: United Counseling Service (UCS) is a winner of the 2023 Vermont Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness Gold Level Award, presented by the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in partnership with the Vermont Department of Health. This award is presented each year to organizations across the state that make employee wellness a priority.

Vermont Business Magazine North Country Hospital in Newport has entered into a new partnership with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at UVM Children’s Hospital consisting of a Telemedicine Program for their Maternal Child Health Unit. This program and device will allow NCH's pediatricians to obtain video consults in real-time with the neonatologist at UVMMC when they are looking for a neonatal consult or are preparing to transfer a critically ill newborn to the NICU. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) and Congresswoman Becca Balint joined Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg as they surveyed damage to infrastructure in Hardwick, following historic storms and flooding across the state last week. The group assessed damage to the Hardwick Rail Trail Bridge and visited the site of the Inn by the River, a local hotel that was completely destroyed by floodwaters during the storm. 

Vermont Business Magazine The American Bankers Association Foundation on Monday announced it will start collecting tax-exempt contributions through its Disaster Relief Program website to help aid relief efforts in Vermont after a major storm resulted in catastrophic flooding in the state on July 11. The flooding has devastated cities and towns in Vermont, left hundreds homeless and claimed at least one life. It has also caused significant damage to homes and businesses, including several bank branches and the homes of bank employees.

Vermont Business Magazine New England state air quality forecasters are predicting elevated concentrations of fine particle air pollution due across the region, including Vermont, to wildfires in Quebec and Northern Ontario. The primary concern is high concentrations of fine particle air pollution that is unhealthy, especially for sensitive groups such as people with respiratory disease, the elderly, or people with compromised health.

Vermont Business Magazine On July 24, the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) is hosting a virtual public comment forum for health insurance premium review. Members of the public are encouraged to attend this virtual event or submit written public comment on or before July 24 via the GMCB website.  This year, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) and MVP Health Care (MVP) have submitted proposed premiums (also known as rates) for their 2024 small group and individual health plans. For instance BCBSVT is proposing a 14.5% annual average increase for small groups and MVP is proposing at 12.5% increase.

Vermont Business Magazine Two Montpelier nonprofit organizations announced today the creation of the Montpelier Strong Recovery Fund. The fund will assist Montpelier downtown businesses in cleanup and rebuilding after the devastating flooding that occurred on July 11, 2023. The Montpelier Strong Recovery Fund will provide grants to downtown businesses. The fund will be administered by a committee that has been created by the two organizations.