by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine Rutland County’s economy feels strong despite the constraints imposed by housing and workforce shortages. Has Rutland County found its new normal after almost two years of the COVID pandemic? Not yet — and that’s OK.
by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine Of Rutland Regional Medical Center’s 450 nursing positions, 50 to 60 are filled by traveling nurses. This means, when the hospital is short-staffed, it contracts with an agency to hire temporary nurses or doctors who travel from one facility to another. Rutland Regional is not unique in Vermont. Hospital officials have discussed how needing to rely on traveling health care professionals to fill vacancies has added significantly to the facility’s operating expenses. RRMC President and Chief Executive Officer Claudio Fort said, “We have more nursing vacancies than we've ever had at Rutland Regional.”
by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine Less than a year after the College of St Joseph ceased operations in spring 2019, the city of Rutland purchased approximately 20 acres of the 117-acre campus — including the school’s gymnasium, walking trails, parking lot and ballfields — to use for a recreation center. Heartland Communities of America, a developer of faith-based senior care communities headquartered in Florida, eyed the remaining 90-plus acres for its first project in the state of Vermont. But that plan eventually fell through. Now, the Housing Trust of Rutland County has stepped in to propose redeveloping the property, which is situated in West Rutland.
Public Assets Institute This will be the eighth annual award, a tribute to Con’s life’s work and commitment to public service. The goal of the award is to encourage and reward leaders who share his vision of a better Vermont—one that places the highest value on the public good—who seize the responsibility for making that vision real, and who mentor emerging leaders.
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont National Guard is hosting an Open House at the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont on September 11, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This free event will feature military and civilian aircraft, military vehicles and equipment, demonstrations, and interactive displays from both the Army and Air National Guard.
Helping Vermonters Eat Healthy, Helping Vermont Farmers
Vermont Business Magazine Starting on July 1, 2022, about $176,500 in coupons will be made available to help eligible Vermonters buy locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets and farm stands. Coupons are still available at many locations. Coupons are issued on a first come, first served basis, and may be used at any of the 58 markets and farm stands enrolled in the program this summer.
Public Assets Institute Working parents with school-age kids struggle to find child care every summer, some coming up so short that they’re forced to work less. But the lack of child care is a year-round problem that has gotten worse since the pandemic. From September 2019 through April 2022, the number of spots for preschool and school-age children dropped by nearly 7.5 percent—more than 1,800 spots, about half in licensed centers and half through registered home providers.
Vermont Business Magazine Burton Snowboards is partnering with The Venture Out Project to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community this month, and beyond. Now through July 1, 2022, Burton’s “Design Your Pride” initiative will call on LGBTQ+ artists from across the globe to submit a piece of their work (any medium) for the snowboarding brand’s first-ever Pride Collection that will launch in 2023. One artist will be selected to collaborate with the team at Burton HQ in Burlington, VT, where they will implement their design and oversee the production from start to finish.
Vermont Business Magazine As of June 1st, Vermont Mittens – a sister brand of the Vermont Teddy Bear Company – proudly announces a partnership with Outright Vermont – an outstanding organization that helps LGBTQIA+ youth find connection, validation, and celebration while strengthening families and transforming the schools, systems, and communities with which youth engage. For every pair of mittens sold, a portion of proceeds will be donated to Outright Vermont, so all young people have hope, equity, and power.
Vermont Business Magazine This weekly report by the Vermont Agency of Transportation is a list of planned construction activities that will have traffic impacts on state highways throughout Vermont starting on June 20. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.
Vermont Business Magazine The calming nature photography of Carol Langstaff of Sharon, VT, and the vibrant mural work of Kathryn Wiegers of Rutland, VT, will help to create a welcoming and tranquil environment when their publicly commissioned artwork is installed at the new Vermont Department of Mental Health Recovery Residence in Essex. The commission is part of the Art in State Buildings Program, a partnership between the Vermont Arts Council and the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services.
Vermont Business Magazine Phil Scott to run for reelection, Personal income tax blows past projections by over $117 million in April, House Fails to Override Governor's Veto of Clean Heat Measure, Vermont’s unemployment rate decreased to 2.5 percent in April, Burlington Electric Department outlines 3.95 percent FY 2023 rate hike, Legislators issue resounding override of pension veto, more.