Department of Public Safety Late last evening, prior to the anticipated conclusion of the investigation into his conduct related to the Capitol insurrection, Lucas Hall resigned his position. His unconditional resignation was immediately accepted. The details of the investigation will be forwarded to the Vermont Criminal Justice Council pursuant to Act 56 for consideration of sanctions, including decertification.
Vermont Business Magazine Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel raised $5,120 for the Vermont Foodbank and JCEO Plattsburgh Foodshelf through a clever fundraising event this holiday season. For the fourth year in a row, Lenny’s teamed up with Darn Tough Vermont to create a limited-edition sock design. Lenny’s also teamed up with Skida Headwear to create custom Vermont-made hats, headbands, and neck warmers.
Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is alerting customers about a surge in scam calls this morning. The scammers claim to be from GMP, demand immediate payment and threaten to cut off power if not paid right away. GMP says it would never do that, and you hang up - it is a scam. GMP customers started alerting the company this morning about the calls.
Vermont Business Magazine Jon Pizzagalli, Board Chair of The Stern Center for Language and Learning, has announced that Laurie Quinn, PhD, will become the educational institution’s second president. Dr Quinn, the recent interim president and previous provost and senior vice president at Champlain College, was selected as the organization’s next leader after a nationwide search. The Williston-based non-profit’s visionary founder and President Blanche Podhajski is retiring after a pioneering 50-year career
by Professor Meaghan Emery UVM is proposing to cut several majors and minors in the Arts & Sciences because of low number so students graduating in those majors. The number of students enrolled in majors and minors is not the same as the number of students enrolled in these courses. Course enrollments in these programs go into the hundreds, and, therefore, the number of students majoring or minoring in these disciplines cannot possibly measure both their academic and their financial impact.Those who have chosen to major in these fields have gone on to make a real difference in our country and world.
by Deb Billado It has come to my attention through various vague media reports that there is a rumor of some kind of protest planned at the capitol building in Montpelier this weekend. While we support everyone’s right to peaceably assemble, just like the thousands of VTers gathered in pink hats four years ago to protest a new administration, I must in the strongest terms possible caution anyone who is considering involvement.
Vermont Business Magazine On December 27, 2020, the $900 billion “Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act” (Economic Aid Act) was signed into law along with a $1.4 trillion federal omnibus FY 21 appropriations bill. Community-based lenders were allowed to start processing application Monday and all other lenders may open up applications for new or continuing PPP loans starting Wednesday. This is the update to the $2.1 trillion CARES Act passed in March 2020.
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 176 new cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths for a statewide total of 158. National and regional infection rates remain at their highest levels since the beginning of the pandemic and Vermont's weekly total is also at its highest level. Still Vermont ranks in the top three of states in nearly every metric and has the total fewest deaths and fewest cases. The mortality rate in Vermont has also subsided somewhat from the late fall/early winter surge. Vermont also ranks among the highest in vaccinations, even though the national rollout has been slower than expected here and nearly everywhere. Nearly 25,000 Vermonters have been vaccinated.
Small Business Administration Join this webinar at 3 p.m. Jan. 14 for a preliminary overview of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program included in the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act signed into law by President Trump on December 27, 2020. Eligible organizations with a reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have the opportunity to receive up to a $10 million grant under the program. In total, the Economic Aid Act allocates $15 billion for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants. This webinar will provide introductory information about the grants, who can apply, how potential organizations can prepare, and other detail re: eligibility and applications.
Vermont Business Magazine In the ongoing effort to connect Vermont food and food products to those struggling during the pandemic, three Vermont entities have teamed up to help donate cheese to the Vermont Foodbank. As a result of a generous donation from Vermont Rotary Clubs across the state, Vermonters in need will be able to access Cheddar Cheese from the Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets continues to facilitate efforts to connect our agriculture and food producers to those in need.
Vermont Business Magazine Research shows that organizations need leaders who are creative thinkers eager to thrive in a climate that fosters innovation. To meet those needs, Vermont Technical College (VTC), Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) and the Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative (VTVLC) will introduce the course “Creativity & Innovation” for High School and Career and Technical Center (CTE) students this spring where they can earn .5 traditional credits plus juniors & seniors have the option to earn three college credits using their Dual Enrollment and/or Fast Forward vouchers.
by Fred Kenney, Executive Director, Addison County Economic Development Corp When COVID-19 hit, businesses and organizations across Vermont were scrambling to adapt to a new virtual and contactless world. In response to the changing economy, the Regional Development Corporations of Vermont (RDCs) worked quickly to launch the ReStart Vermont Technical Assistance Program, or ReVTA program, designed to deliver critically important technical assistance to hundreds of businesses and organizations looking to adapt business practices, retrofit space and access new technologies.