Current News

by Michael Del Trecco, President & CEO, VAHHS Saving for college is important. I know that, as the parent of two recent high school graduates. Whether students decide to go to college or to pursue a trade, training beyond high school always helps prepare them for what’s ahead. That’s why I’m so happy that VAHHS can help our friends at VSAC promote the benefits of saving through VT529 savings accounts.

Vermont Business Magazine At its meeting Monday night, the Burlington City Council approved Mayor Miro Weinberger’s Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) $101 million budget by a 10 – 2 vote. Councilors went on to approve the accompanying resolution to set the municipal property tax rate, which raises 42% of funds for the coming year’s public expenditures, by a vote of 9 – 3. Despite historic inflation and lingering pandemic impacts to City revenues, the mayor’s budget advances key priorities for Burlingtonians, including in the areas of public safety, climate action, racial equity, affordable housing and homeless initiatives, and to combat the opioid crisis. The FY24 budget deploys roughly $750,000 in non-personnel and non-service-related spending cuts, federal relief dollars, and other one-time funds to mitigate taxpayer impacts, and funds multiple studies of City operations and revenues to prepare for future year budget challenges.  

Vermont Business Magazine Ledyard Financial Group, Inc (ticker symbol LFGP), the holding company for Ledyard National Bank with a branch in Vermont, was ranked among the Top 200 publicly traded banks and thrifts under $2 billion in assets in the United States by American Banker Magazine for the ninth consecutive year. The rankings are based on three-year return on average equity (ROAE) for 2020 to 2022. Ledyard Financial Group was selected with a three-year average ROAE of 11.81%.

Vermont Business Magazine The American Heart Association, the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, recently celebrated 99 years of lifesaving work. Leading up to its June 2024 centennial, the Association in Vermont is celebrating the Association’s accomplishments as it looks to build its next century of equitable health for all.

Vermont Business Magazine The parking lot of Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center (SVRCC) was the site of celebration, reunion, and appreciation as nearly 100 people gathered to celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day and to mark the 10th anniversary of the Cancer Center Community Crusaders. The celebration was especially joyous as it marked the relaunch of the annual event that was paused for three years due to COVID. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Delta Dental Institute, dedicated to advancing oral health for all Americans, released Delta Dental's 2022 Community Impact Report, "Our mission: your health." Last year, Delta Dental, the nation’s leading oral health philanthropist, invested nearly $109 million to support programs, research, and advocacy that positively impacted over 20 million lives. In 2022, the Foundation donated nearly $534,000 for oral health programs throughout Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire. 

Vermont Business Magazine On June 15th, 2023 the Rotary Club of Colchester-Milton presented local food shelves with a check for $2,731.00 from the club’s annual Fill The Truck For The Food Shelf campaign along with 1,493 pounds of food. Club president John Abry presented the check to Marcia Devino president of the Colchester Community Food Shelf, Nicole Sener Executive Director of the Milton Family Community Center, and Suzanne Curran board member of the Champlain Islands Food Shelf. 

Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross Northern New England Region is pleased to welcome Dan Dowling to its regional communications team. Dan will serve as the region’s communications manager, supporting the organization’s storytelling and public outreach efforts throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

Vermont Business Magazine The ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain Board of Directors is excited to announce educator and non-profit leader, Ted Lawson as the museum’s next Executive Director following a national search. Lawson’s strong background in science and STEM education as well as his extensive experience leading non-profit organizations makes him especially qualified to take the helm at this time. Lawson will begin his new position on July 3rd.

Vermont Business Magazine President Joe Biden today announced that Vermont will receive $229 million to expand access to broadband in the state. The funds are part of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which will provide $42.45 billion nationwide for planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs across the country. “Ensuring access to broadband is incredibly important to our work to revitalize communities in every corner of Vermont. This significant funding boost builds on the historic investments and progress we’ve made over the last three years, which is very good news,” said Governor Phil Scott. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS) is seeking applicants for this year’s Building Communities Grants program. Grants of up to $25,000 are available for construction and capital improvements to support and strengthen Vermont towns and regions. All grants require a one-to-one match and must demonstrate community support. The deadline for applications is September 10, 2023, and grants will be awarded in October.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Reggie C. Cyr and Mountain View Storage LLC, owners of three properties in Londonderry, were fined $19,365.72 for construction that was not authorized under their Act 250 Land Use Permit and for disturbing Class II wetlands and their buffers, and two stream buffers, without authorization. The landowners also agreed to restore the wetlands and remediate the impact of unauthorized activities.