Vermont Business Magazine A new round of Local Food in Your Community Grants will open Tuesday, April 6th at noon. This grant will fund projects that aim to expand direct-to-consumer or retail markets for Vermont specialty crop producers in Vermont through improved marketing efforts. Eligible applicants include producer cooperatives, food hubs, farmers markets, and independent retailers.
Senator Bernie Sanders Join me for a series of virtual meetings on the American Rescue Plan (ARP) on April 7 and 8. I will be meeting with local small businesses, town leaders, and public libraries to discuss their experiences during the coronavirus pandemic and how we can best use the substantial federal funding coming into the state to strengthen our local economies and communities.
Vermont Business Magazine The Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports presents the Vermont Business Wellness Leader award annually to a Vermont business leader who goes beyond his/her occupational duties to foster wellbeing in the community. This person leads by example with motivational role modeling and generous service to the community. This person exhibits strong leadership in sustaining a culture of wellbeing. This person’s zeal for worksite wellness raises the bar for other employers.
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Air National Guard will begin three weeks of night flying operations starting Tuesday, April 6. Takeoffs are scheduled between 4 and 8 pm with landings between 9 and 10 pm on the following dates: Tuesday, April 6 through Saturday, April 10; Tuesday, April 13 through Friday, April 16; Tuesday, April 20 through Thursday, April 22.
Vermont Business Magazine Union Bank announced today the purchase of the 5068 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne, VT property (formerly a Citizens Bank location), that will house Union Bank’s newest full-service branch and third location in Chittenden County.
by Holly Groschner In this most unusual year, we could finally see how “short” we are on broadband. Perhaps you were one of the 22 million Americans over 70 who didn’t have an internet account to get a vaccine appointment. You may have seen the cars pulled up around the town clerk’s office or the library. Look closely and you’ll see the occupants catching a Wi-Fi signal to attend work meetings and doctors’ appointments. Four kids doing homework on one cellphone in a car all day is another visible demonstration that there isn’t enough broadband to go around.
Leonine Public Affairs House Speaker Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, announced on Friday the decision to table a proposal to address the unfunded liability in the state pension system. The proposal, which was being considered in the House Government Operations committee, included a one-time state investment of $150 million and reduced benefits and raised costs for teachers and public employees paying into the fund. With increasing concern among Democratic lawmakers in the House, and signals the Senate would not support the draft plan, Krowinski opted to shelve the proposal and create a task force of stakeholders to develop options for a path forward. Krowinski said on Friday the House would still consider legislation to revamp the pension system’s governance structure to better oversee the fund and improve returns.
Vermont Business Magazine Saint Michael’s College psychology professor Ari Kirshenbaum has been using a $224,000 National Science Foundation grant he received in September 2020 to develop a mobile app that measures the effects of cannabis on a user’s neurocognitive functions: things like reaction time, time perception and concentration, which are all affected by THC. The free app called “Indicator,” which uses artificial intelligence for advanced data analytics, will be publicly available this month for home users of cannabis with iOS (Apple iPhone) devices (Android coming soon).
Vermont Business Magazine Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said at Friday’s press conference that although he is optimistic for the future, “when it comes to the present, frankly, I am very concerned.” Cases continue to rise among younger Vermont adults, especially in the 18-24 range. The VDH reported today another 201 cases of COVID-19. There was one more death for 228 total statewide. However, Levine noted that those who are most vulnerable have now been vaccinated. Those 40 and older can sign up Monday.
Vermont Business Magazine Safely delivering needed care has always been at the core of the UVM Health Network’s mission. That has never been more important than now – and we urge patients to seek the care they need. Delayed or avoided medical care could increase the chances of long-term health problems associated with both chronic and acute health conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has named 12 members to the Governor’s Commission on the Future of Vermont Agriculture. The commission will study and strategize how best to grow agriculture in the Green Mountain State.
Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and Treasurer Beth Pearce both expressed their disappointment that Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski on Friday morning tabled a pension reform plan that she brought forward in March. Her plan was met with a negative response from both the state employees and teachers unions, which would be directly effected, as well as from the Progressive Caucus in the Legislature and others.