Vermont Business Magazine News

by Anne Galloway May 7, 2013 vtdigger.org In a 7-0 voice vote on Tuesday, a Vermont Senate panel approved an 80 cent tobacco tax increase. Lawmakers initially considered a $1.25 “placeholder” tax that Sen. Tim Ashe, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, described as a health care bill — not a tax measure.

The University of Vermont College of Medicine has announced the winners of the 2013 Medical Alumni Association Awards to be presented during its annual Medical Alumni Reunion, May 31, 2013, on the UVM College of Medicine campus.

A quality improvement platform developed at Boston Children's Hospital could help health care provider groups continuously improve their medical practice, curbing costs and improving patient outcomes.

The Vermont Grocers Association says that storekeepers appreciate that Governor Peter Shumlin continues to stand firmly against sales and excise taxes that will deteriorate retail sales by displacing them to neighboring New Hampshire or the Internet.

As part of National Physical Education and Sport Week, on Thursday, May 9th elementary physical education teachers from schools throughout Vermont will participate in a day-long workshop in Burlington (registration for this event is full).

The Lake Champlain Committee, which celebrates 50 years of science-based advocacy, education and collaborative action this month, was presented the GMP-Zetterstrom Environmental Award today at a Statehouse ceremony. 

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (VTANR) has been awarded Silver recognition from the State Electronics Challenge (SEC) —a Vermont-based national environmental stewardship program—for its achievements in decreasing the environmental footprint of its computer equipment.    

Merchants Bank (NASDAQ: MBVT) ranked number 10 in American Banker Magazine's list of "best performers" published in the May 2013 issue, and was the second highest ranked bank in the New England area. Based upon data from SNL Financial, American Banker posted the top performing 200 financial institutions from a peer group of 851 banks across the country.

The Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL) announced today that the Adult Family Care (AFC) Home program will begin in May.  This new option in home and community-based living is now available to elderly Vermonters and adults with physical disabilities who meet Highest/High Needs Choices for Care eligibility.  AFC Homes are private homes that are approved to provide continuous individualized supports in an environment that is safe and family-oriented.  

Below is the Small Business Administration Vermont District Office year to date loan volume report for April 2013. The report covers the first six months of the federal fiscal year. There were 97 total loans worth $11,811,200 at an average loan of $121,765. In the 504 program there were another 7 loans worth $5,701,000 at an average of $814,429. For the Third Party 504 loans, there were 7 loans worth $8,753,641 at an average of $1,250,520. And for the Microloan Program, there were 8 loans worth $139,782, or $17,473 on average.

In agriculture, spring traditionally brings the influx of a lot of operational bills. But for dairymen, it’s hitting unusually hard this year as their land rents, and seed and fertilizer bills stack up and — a percentage of their revenue is being delayed because of government budget sequestration.  “The Milk Income Loss (MILC) payments have been delayed during a time when a lot of money needs to be paid out by farmers,” said National Farmers Legislative Coordinator Gene Paul. 

by Anne Galloway May 6, 2013 vtdigger.org On the face of it, the House and Senate tax bills appear to share little common ground. There is, for one thing, an $17 million gap to address (the House bill raises $27 million; the Senate $10.2 million), not to mention philosophical and practical differences of opinion that could prove insurmountable for members of the tax conference committee.

In honor of Green Up Day, a statewide spring tradition of environmental beautification, the Vermont Ski Areas Association is excited to announce the winners of the inaugural Green Mountain Awards for Environmental Excellence at Vermont Ski Resorts. Judged by Melinda Vieux, President of Green Up Vermont, Alan Hebert of Efficiency Vermont and VSAA President Parker Riehle, resorts competed to win awards in environmental stewardship. Categories range from composting and recycling efforts, to educational programs and energy efficient renovations. 

Northfield Savings Bank has announced that Nancy F Pope was recently elected Chair of the Board of Trustees.

by Anne Galloway May 5, 2013 vtdigger.org House Speaker Shap Smith says he’s optimistic the Legislature can finish its business by May 11 even with the cancellation of a Saturday, May 4 session. Lawmakers will be meeting on Monday, which is typically a day off from floor sessions in the House and Senate.

The Strolling of the Heifers has been named one of the Top 10 Summer Festivals in the United States by Livability.com, a national website that ranks quality of life and travel amenities of America’s small and mid-sized cities.

by Nat Rudarakanchana May 4, 2013 vtdigger.org A state agency has cut a $5 million telecommunications grant to Vermont Telephone Company in half.  

by Andrew Stein May 4, 2013 vtdigger.org On Friday, the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee agreed to the House’s pared-down version of what was originally a bill regulating large wind turbine projects, including a three-year moratorium.

by Nat Rudarakanchana May 3, 2013 vtdigger.org The latest revenue projections from the state’s Joint Fiscal Office show a $16 million surplus by the end of the fiscal year, later in June, which could impact imminent budget negotiations between the House and the Senate.

by Donald Baker, Vermont Market President, KeyBank According to the US Small Business Administration, there are 23 million small businesses in America. These businesses account for 54 percent of all US sales, occupy up to 50 percent of all commercial space and are responsible for 65 percent of all new jobs created over the last decade.

New unemployment claims in Vermont fell last week but stayed over 1,000. For the week of April 27, 2013, there were 1,049 new, regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance in Vermont. This is an decrease of 162 from the previous week's total, and 49 fewer than they were a year ago.

Vermont's congressional delegation Friday announced that the Town of Bennington will receive $1,579,952 in reimbursement for costs incurred to repair damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.  

by Anne Galloway May 3, 2013 vtdigger.org Sources say Governor Peter Shumlin and Democratic leaders in the House and Senate will strike a deal on taxes today or Monday. Agreement needs to be reached on a number of outstanding items. The House and Senate versions of the tax bill differ on income, sales, meals and satellite taxes. The governor has said he doesn’t want to raise any “broad-based” taxes.

by Anne Galloway May 3, 2013 vtdigger.org The Vermont Senate passed a $5.2 billion spending bill on Thursday after just three hours of debate, most of which focused on changes to the state’s welfare system. The vote was 24-4 and was divided along party lines: Three Republicans and one Democrat/Progressive voted against it.

There is no natural gas pipeline in Putney, Vermont, but, at the end of March 2013, Soundview Vermont Holdings LLC began using natural gas instead of oil as boiler fuel for its recycled tissue, towel, and napkin operation in Putney.

by Alicia Freese May 2, 2013 vtdigger.org Several Reach Up case managers made the case for their jobs Thursday, criticizing the Shumlin Administration’s plan to cut 12 positions during the next two years.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., (GMCR) (NASDAQ: GMCR), has announced its Keurig K150 Series Commercial Br

by Nat Rudarakanchana May 3, 2013 vtdigger Some Vermont businesses shut down for months by Hurricane Irene are now being hit by new woes: sharply higher contributions to the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund.

by Anne Galloway May 2, 2013 vtdigger.org Satellite TV companies are launching a media campaign to block a Senate proposal to tax monthly satellite TV bills.

Two projects have been approved by the Clean Energy Fund Committee. Nearly $179,800 will be awarded to the selected projects, pulling from the $225,000 generated each year from the Clean Energy Fund. The Clean Energy Fund assesses UVM undergraduate and graduate students a $10 fee each semester to establish new clean energy education, research and installation projects on and around the UVM campus. Awarded projects include the following: