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Speaker Krowinski tables pension reform plan

Fri, 04/02/2021 - 11:28am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Earlier this morning, House Speaker Jill Krowinski was joined by members of the Democratic Caucus at a press conference and provided the remarks below regarding the effort to stabilize the public pension system. The Speaker had presented a plan to address the $5.7 billion unfunded retirement liabilities in the pension and retirement plans for unionized state employees and teachers. However, she announced today she would not move forward with that plan and instead set up a task force to address the matter. The unions and the Progressive caucus in the Legislature opposed the plan.

Matt Dunne: What does the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 mean for rural America?

Fri, 04/02/2021 - 6:08am -- tim

by Matt Dunne Rural recovery can happen. That’s the message I’m taking away from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. We’ve yet to emerge from this pandemic, and there remains all too much hardship. But we now have more than just glimmers of hope. We have real, actionable measures that will help rural America get back on its feet, and stand even stronger in the future.

Tilson Broadband brings up to 10 GBPS internet to NEK towns

Fri, 04/02/2021 - 5:09am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Tilson, a national network development and information infrastructure professional services firm, is deploying a fiber to the premise (FTTP) network to bring Tilson Broadband’s fiber optic internet service to the towns of Danville, Lunenburg, and St Johnsbury, Vermont. With a regional office in downtown St Johnsbury, Tilson Broadband customers in the three new locations will benefit from fiber internet speeds ranging from 500 Mbps to up to 10 Gbps, no data caps, and better reliability in harsh New England weather.

VHCB Healthy & Lead-Safe Homes Program protects children

Fri, 04/02/2021 - 4:53am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine If your home or apartment building was built before 1978, chances are lead paint was used on exterior and interior surfaces. Opening and closing windows and doors or using a power sander can create enough lead dust to poison a child, and children under age 6 are especially at risk. Hundreds of Vermont children are identified each year with too much lead in their blood, which can cause learning and behavior problems and impair hearing.

Governor announces 168 appointments to state boards and commissions

Fri, 04/02/2021 - 3:50am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott on Thursday announced that he has appointed 168 Vermonters to State boards and commissions since January 1. Boards and commissions serve an important role in our government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. The Governor’s Office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website at governor.vermont.gov/boards-commissions to apply.

Imaging technologists at UVMMC join union

Thu, 04/01/2021 - 5:26pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Imaging Technologists at Vermont’s largest Hospital, the University of Vermont Medical Center, voted overwhelmingly to join the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals-AFT-Vermont. The final vote count was 123-32 in favor of unionizing. The 230 technologists include sonographers, cardiac technicians, interventional radiologists, and technologists working within CT Scan, MRI, Diagnostic Xray, Nuclear Medicine, and Mammography. This group joins the other 2,400 nurses and technicians currently members of the VFNHP-AFT Vermont, the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in the state.

VDH COVID-19 Update: Cases surge but deaths hold, nearly 210,000 vaccinated

Thu, 04/01/2021 - 5:19pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported today there were 233 new cases of COVID-19 as infections have surged over the last week to historic highs. The highest number of cases was 250 on March 25. However, there were no new deaths, which stand at 227. Nearly 210,000 adults (38.1% of population) have received at least one dose of vaccine. Meanwhile, Governor Scott announced yesterday that out-of-state college students and part-time residents would be eligible to sign up for a vaccine on April 30, as long as supplies last.

UVM Health Network expands visitor access to hospitals, with some restrictions

Thu, 04/01/2021 - 4:55pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Based on the latest guidance from the State of Vermont, The University of Vermont Health Network is easing some visitor policy restrictions effective April 2 for fully vaccinated people in inpatient areas at its Vermont hospitals. Some restrictions will remain in place to protect the health and safety of patients and staff. Policies vary slightly by hospital, so visitors are encouraged to check first before visiting.

Vermont manure spreading ban ends today

Thu, 04/01/2021 - 4:49pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s winter manure spreading ban ends today, April 1st, but with snow currently falling on many fields in Vermont, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is issuing a spring stewardship reminder to Vermont farmers and Custom Manure Applicators. Warm, dry weather which helped warm fields in March will hopefully return and make good conditions for field work in April.

2021 Best of Business in Vermont recipients announced

Thu, 04/01/2021 - 3:58pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine After more than a year of all of us dealing with this global pandemic, Vermont Business Magazine is proud to announce the 2021 Best of Business Awards (BOB Awards) winners. This awards program celebrates the best Vermont companies in more than 100 business-to-business categories. All of these businesses have been affected by the pandemic in one form or another and like us at VBM we are looking forward to the day when business and life in general can get back to some form of normalcy. Vermont businesses are very resilient and deserve to be recognized for their commitment to Vermont consumers. 

NVU Support Your Sport Campaign tops fundraising goal

Thu, 04/01/2021 - 3:54pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Northern Vermont University (NVU) is thrilled to share that NVU Athletics raised $38,949—nearly 30% above its goal—during the second annual Support Your Sport Campaign. The campaign broke last year’s record, doubling both the dollars raised and the number of donors. While NVU is one university, each campus maintains its own teams and its own mascot. Like so many other universities, the Johnson Badgers and Lyndon Hornets haven’t been able to play typical seasons this year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, but the teams did compete in the fundraising arena.

Letter from the UVM deans

Thu, 04/01/2021 - 2:39pm -- tim

University of Vermont Deans The president, provost, and other leaders at the University of Vermont (UVM) are asking us to imagine new possibilities and approaches for UVM. They are doing this because they want our university—and its students and graduates—to thrive for the years, decades, and centuries to come. And, they are doing it now because we are at a pivotal moment for higher education in this nation and around the world. We may disagree on the merits of some of the plans being proposed, but the commitment and an inclusive approach of our leadership is evident.

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