Current News

by Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger It’s shameful that, until this moment, there has been nothing in the way of a statewide strategy to end homelessness. When the State opened motels to homeless community members in the early days of the pandemic many Vermonters, myself included, breathed a sigh of relief. We knew that extended stays for these vulnerable households would offer new stability and lower risks from COVID. As time marched on we heard growing concerns over the effects of isolation and lack of direct services for people living in motels. Eventually it became clear to me and mayors across Vermont that this beleaguered program needed to end when its federal funding ran out – so we called for an orderly and collaborative wind down plan.

Vermont Business Magazine Vernal Biosciences, an innovative mRNA and LNP Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (“CDMO”) announced today the completion of a $20MM funding round, led by Ampersand Capital Partners and Charles River Labs with participation from Dynamk Capital and the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies. The company will use the funding to complete its first state of the art GMP manufacturing facility, scheduled to be online July 2023, and support expanded manufacturing and capabilities in support of cGMP manufacturing.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) joined ECFiber, Vermont’s first Communications Union District (CUD), to celebrate the completion of its mission to build broadband in 23 rural Vermont towns throughout East Central Vermont. The project started during a Town Meeting Day in 2008 when over 20 towns voted to join together to bring broadband to their communities. Eventually, this model would be replicated across the state and known as a CUD. ECFiber brought its last broadband ‘hub’ in White River Junction online today during a large ceremony that included several Vermont leaders and longtime advocates for rural broadband access.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Foundation has announced that retired US Senator Patrick Leahy and his wife Marcelle Leahy have established a charitable fund at the nonprofit organization to continue their life’s work of helping Vermont and Vermonters thrive. The Patrick and Marcelle Leahy Fund for Vermont will benefit the state for years to come, the former Vermont senator said in a video announcement. The message was broadcast to an audience of several hundred people attending the Community Foundation’s annual meeting at the Paramount Theatre in Rutland on Thursday, June 22. The new fund is being created with a $500,000 donation from Leahy’s remaining campaign funds.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported June 21, 2023, that COVID-19 hospitalizations remain largely unchanged at a low level (11). COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH. There were 2 COVID-related deaths in the last week for a pandemic total of 979 as of June 17 (this is the most recent update). Fatalities have slowed. VDH reported 15 COVID-related deaths in March, 19 in April and 10 in May (the fewest since the summer of 2021) and 4 so far in June.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Public in Colchester announced today that Connor Cyrus has resigned from the public radio, television and online service. Cyrus joined the station in 2021 as co-host and senior producer of the weekday public affairs radio program Vermont Edition. Additionally, he has hosted political debates, Vermont This Week, events and produced video features during his time at Vermont Public.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police is undergoing a reorganization process focused on long-term leadership continuity and development. The comprehensive, phased approach also will allow the state police to review the potential of professional staff rather than sworn personnel to take on leadership roles, and to reduce the overall number of command staff positions.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Board of Commissioners announced Monday the award of state and federal housing tax credits and loans to support the construction, rehabilitation or preservation of 139 permanently affordable apartments in four communities across the state. In April, VHFA awarded $28 million in federal housing credits, supporting the construction of 112 homes in perpetually affordable apartment buildings. Monday’s awards provide an additional $18.0 million in equity through federal bond credits and $1.3 million in equity through Vermont Affordable Housing Tax Credits for developing affordable apartments. VHFA also awarded $15.8 million in construction loans, $360,000 in equity bridge loans and $650,000 in long-term loans to the projects Monday.

Vermont Business Magazine State Auditor Doug Hoffer released a memo today announcing that the Orange County Sheriff’s Department cannot be audited at this time due to financial management irregularities. Arriving at such a conclusion is extremely rare for a public agency, Hoffer said, and reflects a judgment that the sheriff’s books cannot be relied upon to accurately reflect the department’s financial situation.

Vermont Business Magazine Scott Administration officials will visit Washington County on Wednesday, June 28. This series of meetings and events continues the Administration’s county-by-county tour to hear from community leaders about their unique infrastructure needs and to discuss the many funding opportunities available via federal investment through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Officials will offer guidance on how communities can apply for assistance with tangible economic development, housing, water and sewer, climate change mitigation measures and broadband projects.

Vermont Business Magazine A Vermont summertime tradition continues Aug. 12, 18 and 19 with the 18th annual Last Mile Ride, Run and Walk at Gifford Medical Center. The three-day event includes a fundraising motorcycle ride, bicycle ride, 5K run, and 1- and 2-mile walks, all to support end-of-life care for patients and their families. Last year, 560 Last Mile participants and 50 business sponsors raised $187,000 to support end-of-life care for central Vermonters, bringing the grand total to more than $1,378,000 since the inaugural Last Mile in 2006. Funds raised help ease the end-of-life experience, support grieving families, and honor loved ones. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, with Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vermont), will hold a town meeting on the youth mental health crisis on Thursday, June 29. Together, the Vermont Congressional Delegation will give an update on the actions being taken at the federal level to combat the mental health crisis, and will hear from young people, parents, educators, physicians, mental health professionals, and community members about the challenges young people are facing. This community conversation will focus on how we can work together to address the needs of young people and the needs of their families.