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Leonine: A most unusual legislative commencement

Sat, 01/09/2021 - 4:19pm -- tim

Leonine Public Affairs Republican Governor Phil Scott issued his inaugural address to a televised audience from the executive office building instead of giving the traditional speech in the House chamber. These unusual commencement events are the result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. History was made when Representative Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, and Senator Becca Balint, D-Windham, were elected House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tem respectively. Along with the swearing in of Democratic Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray this marks the first time in Vermont history that both chambers of the General Assembly are led by women.

Oatmeal Studios acquired by Biely & Shoaf

Sat, 01/09/2021 - 6:51am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Venture 7 Advisors is pleased to announce that Oatmeal Studios, a division of Excelsior Integrated based in Lee, MA, was acquired by Biely & Shoaf Company of Seattle, Washington. Venture 7 served as the exclusive merger and acquisition advisor to Excelsior Integrated in the sale of Oatmeal Studios. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Oatmeal Studios was founded in Vermont and the two existing account executives will remain here.

VDH COVID-19 Update: Vermont among leaders in vaccinations

Fri, 01/08/2021 - 5:40pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Human Services Secretary Mike Smith said at Friday’s press conference that 21,000 Vermonters have now been vaccinated, adding that Vermont ranks second in the nation in the rate of doses distributed per 100,000 people. Currently, health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities are being vaccinated. Vermont plans to use age grouping to determine who can receive the vaccine next based on our primary objective — to save lives, he said. The VDH reported today that there were 202 new cases of COVID-19, the third highest single-day total since the start of the pandemic and the second straight day of more than 200 cases. There was also one additional death for 155.

Vermont US Attorney statement regarding storming of the Capitol and venue for prosecution

Fri, 01/08/2021 - 4:41pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine This statement was issued by US Attorney Christina E Nolan in response to inquiries received over the last two days from the press and the public regarding the violence in Washington, DC, and whether the Vermont office will investigate and prosecute perpetrators.

Governor announces appointments and promotions within administration

Fri, 01/08/2021 - 4:21pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced a handful of new appointments and promotions in the Agency of Administration, Agency of Human Services and on his senior staff: Kristin Clouser, deputy secretary, Agency of Administration; Douglas Farnham, chief of operations, Agency of Administration; Rebecca Sameroff, deputy commissioner, Department of Taxes in the Agency of Administration; Jennifer Fitch, commissioner, Department of Buildings and General Services in the Agency of Administration; Marc O’Grady, deputy commissioner, Department of Buildings & General Services in the Agency of Administration; Ethan Latour, deputy commissioner, Department of Finance & Management in the Agency of Administration; Tricia Tyo, deputy commissioner, Department of Children and Families in the Agency of Human Services; Jason Maulucci, press secretary, Office of the Governor; Brittney Wilson, deputy chief of staff, Office of the Governor.

Vermont ranks second for states for COVID-19 vaccinations

Fri, 01/08/2021 - 4:19pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (VAHHS), which represents all of Vermont’s 14 non-profit hospitals, has been working in partnership with the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) and community providers to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to Vermonters identified in the State’s plan as qualifying for the first phase of Vermont’s vaccination effort. More than 17 million doses have been distributed across the country, with nearly 50,000 coming to Vermont so far and over 21,000 administered. Open story to see interactive vaccine map.

SBA reopens PPP on January 11

Fri, 01/08/2021 - 2:00pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine The US Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced today that the Paycheck Protection Program will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13. 

Weekly unemployment claims jump again

Fri, 01/08/2021 - 1:27pm -- tim

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims last week increased to their second-highest level since the early weeks of the pandemic after three weeks of declining numbers. The holiday season typically results in several swings in the data. Claims increased by 703 to 1,800 last week (and up 1,120 from the same time last year, which was before the pandemic hit). As for the week's ongoing jobless claims, for the week ending January 2, 2021, the Labor Department processed 13,994 claims, up 2,809 from the previous week and 7,879 more than the same time last year.

UVM Medical Center completes COVID-19 vaccine study enrollment

Fri, 01/08/2021 - 10:28am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center and the Vaccine Testing Center at the University of Vermont's Larner College of Medicine have successfully reached and surpassed the targeted number of enrollees for an ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The goal of 250 enrolled and dosed volunteers was met in just four weeks – with more than 3,100 people registering to take part. The local vaccine trial was able to enroll nearly 65 percent of volunteers who are over the age of 65 – a critically important demographic for testing efficacy and safety and a unique, local contribution to the nation-wide study. Additionally, more than 12 percent of participants identify as black, indigenous or persons of color.

One Credit Union donates $12K to Make-A-Wish

Fri, 01/08/2021 - 4:43am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine On January 6th, Kevin DeRosa, One Credit Union Retail Manager, presented Jamie Hathaway, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Vermont with a check for $12,000. This money was raised as part of a yearlong effort in 2020 with the help of One Credit Union members and staff in our local communities.

Said Hathaway, “Thank you all so much for this incredible donation – now more than ever, kids in our communities need hope and joy, and this gift will go a long way in bringing that to them.”

Event promotes awareness of COVID-19 impact on Vermont women

Fri, 01/08/2021 - 3:25am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Commission on Women (VCW) starts the new legislative session with a public event examining how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts economic aspects of women’s lives, especially for women of color in our state. VCW’s Legislative After-Dinner Coffee & Conversation event, taking place Thursday evening, January 14th from 7 – 8:30 PM, features a panel discussion with experts, an exploration of issues in small group conversations, and a wrap up Q&A session. This event will be moderated by VCW Executive Director Cary Brown and is free and open to the public.

Governor Scott delivers third inaugural address

Thu, 01/07/2021 - 8:41pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today delivered his third inaugural address, commending Vermonters’ resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, and calling for unity in tackling the recovery and addressing Vermont’s fundamental challenges: “The road ahead offers us an incredible opportunity to set the state back on a path where every county can have a vibrant, resilient economy; where every community and every family has the tools needed to be economically secure; and where every new generation has a better chance than the one that came before."

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