Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Mt Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC) commemorated National Doctors' Day on Thursday, March 30, 2023, by donating $1,500 to the Hope Fund, the same recipient the MAHHC Medical Executive Committee selected in 2021. The Hope Fund provides grants to aid MAHHC and Ottauquechee Health Center employees who are experiencing hardships or financial emergencies. President of the MAHHC Medical Executive Committee, Richard Marasa, MD, said the Medical Executive Committee voted unanimously to direct this year’s donation to support the fund.

Vermont Business Magazine Representative Becca Balint announces new position as Vice Ranking Member of the Government Operations and Federal Workforce Subcommittee on the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. The Subcommittee on Government Operations and Federal Workforce has jurisdiction over the federal civil service, federal and state government relations, public information, and other federal services such as the US Postal Service. Kweisi Mfume is the Ranking Member of the subcommittee.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) released the first set of modules of its new Business Sense series, next level tools for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Business Sense is a no-fluff source of information that gets right to the heart of what small business owners need: essential tools and relevant resources to help their businesses grow. The Financial Literacy Series and the Business Operations Series are the first two modules of six planned modules to debut in 2023 to support Vermont’s small business owners and entrepreneurs. Written by VSJF’s team of business coaches, the resource series shares their decades of experience in areas such as financials, operations, sales and marketing, human resources, leadership, and governance. Business Sense is designed to provide entrepreneurs and small business owners in various sectors with recommendations and practical advice to help their businesses not only survive but thrive.

by Stephanie Yu, Public Assets Institute The Vermont Senate voted Friday to repeal the brand-new Child Tax Credit (CTC) in order to redirect funds to early care and education. But there is no reason to pit the two against each other. Vermont needs both. The credit, which Vermonters can now claim for tax year 2022, allows families with household incomes up to $125,000 to claim a $1,000 tax credit for each child under 6. Partial credits are available for families with incomes up to $175,000. The credits are refundable, which means the family will receive a cash refund if the credit exceeds what they owe. The state credit is patterned after the federal Child Tax Credit, which was designed to get cash directly in the hands of families. When the feds temporarily expanded the credit during the pandemic, child poverty declined dramatically across the country, including lifting 4,000 kids out of poverty here in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) and Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) announced the introduction of the Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act of 2023, legislation to limit abusive pricing practices by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), including the use of a technique called ‘spread pricing,’ where PBMs charge Medicaid more than they pay pharmacies for a particular drug. In so doing, PBMs increase their profits, while driving up costs for Medicaid and independent pharmacies that are already struggling to stay in business. The bill would save Medicaid an estimated $1 billion over 10 years.  

Vermont Business Magazine In the lead up to Earth Day, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is challenging Vermonters to save money and prevent food waste. From April 3 through April 22, learn how to prevent food waste, help the environment, and save money with the self-guided Scrap Food Waste Challenge from the department’s Solid Waste Program. Participants will receive three emails per week and can join weekly virtual discussions. The Challenge will guide participants to track their food waste and supply tips about meal planning, strategic shopping, food storage, and use-it-up recipes. An in-person workshop will take place at the Aldrich Library, in Barre, on April 4, at 5 PM.

Vermont Business Magazine AM Best, the global rating agency for the insurance industry, has again affirmed the rating of A+ (Superior), with a Stable Outlook, for Vermont Mutual and its two fully reinsured subsidiaries, Northern Security Insurance Company, Inc. and Granite Mutual Insurance Company. This is the 9th consecutive year the Property & Casualty insurer has received the distinction.

Vermont Business Magazine April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Vermont State Highway Safety Office (SHSO) in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be supporting state, county, and local law enforcement agencies in an effort to focus education and enforcement on distracted driving laws. The goal of the enforcement campaign from April 6-10 is to make Vermont’s roadways safer by increasing the awareness of the dangers of operating a motor vehicle while distracted. On Wednesday April 5, at 10:30 a.m., the SHSO, Chittenden County Sheriff’s Department, and Milton Police Department will hold a press conference at Milton High School to highlight the dangers of driving while distracted.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont issued the following statement: "Today, the university agreed to a voluntary resolution of the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights investigation into reports of antisemitism on UVM’s campus. The resolution reflects our ongoing engagement with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the surrounding community. It also reflects numerous conversations with the Jewish community on campus and important local and national voices on the consequential and complex issue of antisemitism."

Vermont Business Magazine If you have other plans for today, you may just have to cancel them. Call in sick. Make up an excuse. Your dog ate your homework. Whatever you need to do is understandable, as it is the official day that Ben & Jerry's opens its doors across the globe and gives away ice cream all day. The company began the the giveaway many, many moons ago but has been unable to gather large groups of fans for the past few years. Let's just say: "Something came up." However, it's a sign that the world is getting back to normal as Ben & Jerry's joyfully hosts its Free Cone Day across the globe to thank fans for their on-going support.

Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Berkshire Bank, will host the second annual Women In Leadership Luncheon at the Inn at Manchester Celebration Barn in Manchester, Vermont on Wednesday, May 17 from 12pm to 2pm. Join women from around the region for a rich and candid lunch with conversations on careers and leadership. Learn how successful women advanced and built their careers with confidence. Find out what inspires them, the challenges they faced along the way, and how they have played a big role in their businesses, organizations and communities. The luncheon aims to not only celebrate and encourage women leaders in the Southwestern Vermont region, but to also create life-long connections, partnerships and friendships with those in attendance.