Current News

Vermont Business Magazine As parts of Vermont continue to recover from the record-setting floods, and monitors forecasts for additional impact, Comcast has opened more than 12,600 Xfinity WiFi hotspots across Vermont to help residents and emergency personnel stay connected. The hotspots will be available for free to anyone who needs them, including non-Xfinity customers.

Vermont Business Magazine The destruction of homes and communities in the aftermath of recent Vermont flooding is tragic, and the cleanup itself creates the potential for serious and long-lasting threats to health, the American Lung Association warns. The Lung Association stresses the importance of beginning the cleanup effort as soon as flood waters recede, and it is safe to return. Chemicals, sewage, oil, gas and other dangerous substances found in floodwaters can pose health risks to area residents. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA) is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of workers responding to recent flooding incidents in Vermont. The aftermath of a flood presents numerous hazards such as electrical dangers, fallen trees and debris, mold, and carbon monoxide exposure. Employers are reminded that safeguarding worker safety is of utmost importance, and VOSHA is equipped with valuable resources to protect workers from these potential risks associated with flood response operations. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Own WCAX Channel 3, Vermont’s CBS affiliate, will broadcast the National Life Group Do Good Fest on Saturday, July 15 from 6 – 9 p.m. and co-host the event with Star 92.9. In response to this week’s catastrophic flooding, the National Life Group Do Good Fest has been transformed into this online only event.

Vermont Business Magazine Recovering from this week’s flooding event will be a challenge for many Vermonters across the state. Cleaning up and disposing of items damaged by floodwaters is yet another painstaking task. Unfortunately, along with the damaged belongings from your home or business lurks hazardous items, such as paint, chemicals, oil, gas, pesticides, caustic cleaners, and other materials.

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc (Nasdaq: CWST), one of the largest recyclers and most experienced fully integrated resource management companies in the Eastern United States, recently honored six of its customers for their leadership in sustainability as part of Casella’s annual Sustainability Leadership Awards. The Casella Sustainability Leadership Awards represent innovation and commitment to creating a better tomorrow by showcasing each recipients’ sustainable material management practices. Recipients were selected from a range of segments, including municipalities, colleges and universities, industrial manufacturers, food and beverage producers, and more.

Vermont Business Magazine Champlain College Online has launched four new career-focused online programs available to students, expanding its existing catalog of more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. The new Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs are designed to empower students to accomplish their career goals in innovative and accessible ways.  

Vermont Business Magazine ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property, and real estate data, has released its Midyear 2023 US Foreclosure Market Report, which shows there were a total of 185,580 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions — in the first six months of 2023. That figure is up 13 percent from the same time period a year ago and up 185 percent from the same time period two years ago. Vermont ranks 49th in the nation at 0.02% foreclosure rate per housing unit, only South Dakota is lower. The US average is 0.13%. However, Vermont has seen a rise in foreclosures over the last six months, with an increase of 61.3% (US average 12.76%).

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has made a formal request to President Joseph R Biden for federal disaster funds to assist individuals and communities recover from the historic flood from July 7-12, 2023. The Major Disaster Declaration would provide relief to individuals and communities. The declaration request asks for funding under the federal Public Assistance (PA) and Individual Assistance (IA) programs. A Public Assistance disaster declaration, if approved, would allow communities in declared counties to receive at least 75% reimbursement for storm response and recovery, including repairs to public infrastructure.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today signed an addendum to his Emergency Declaration (Executive Order 03-23), which directs state agencies and departments to provide specific and temporary regulatory relief to expedite the state’s response to damage resulting from the severe storms continuing to impact the state.

Vermont Business Magazine As a result of the widespread flooding across Vermont, many municipal wastewater treatment plants and private septic systems have become inundated with high flows of water and wastewater resulting in partially treated or untreated discharges of sewage into the environment. As a result, rivers and flood waters could contain pathogens such as viruses and bacteria that may cause illness. Though these areas may not be posted with notices to avoid contact, recreation, wading, boating, swimming, or fishing should be avoided for several days until flows return to normal levels.

Vermont Business Magazine On behalf of the Rutland City Police Department, the Vermont State Police is sharing the following information about the funeral for Officer Jessica Ebbighausen, who was killed in a vehicle crash with a fleeing suspect last week. The public will have two opportunities next week to pay their respects to Officer Ebbighausen, who was hired as a patrol officer with the Rutland City Police Department on May 25, 2023: Monday, July 17 and Tuesday, July 18.