Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Department of Labor Commissioner Michael Harrington was elected to serve as chair-elect for the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) Board of Directors for the 2022-2023 year. Harrington was elected to the position by NASWA members, which represent states and US territories nationwide. Harrington joined the Department of Labor in January 2017 as deputy commissioner and was appointed commissioner in June 2020. Prior to state government, he served as the Economic and Community Development Director for the Town of Bennington.

by John McClaughry The recent discussion of “Vermont’s housing crisis” reminds us that this problem never goes away. That’s because the interests active in shaping housing policy continue to be far apart on almost any policy change that promises more affordable housing. My first experience in this subject came in 1972. I sponsored a House bill whose purpose was “to encourage the Vermont building industry to increase the supply of housing within the reach of the average Vermont family by removing the barrier posed by a multiplicity of different building codes, each containing local embellishments and some deliberately used to keep out new moderate-income housing.”

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group named Daphne Larkin external communications and media relations director as of October 3. Larkin joins National Life Group after 14½ years at Norwich University, where she most recently served as director of media relations and community affairs. Prior to that, she was a freelance writer and journalist. At National Life, Larkin will serve as spokesperson, identify and secure media opportunities and write and distribute releases and content about the many ways National Life does good for its policyholders, agents, employees and the community.

Vermont Business Magazine On December 1, 2020, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issued the Stormwater General Permit 3-9050 (bit.ly/SW-3-9050) to help protect Vermont waterways. The permit regulates stormwater discharges or runoff from impervious surfaces (any hard or solid surfaces like roofs, roads, and parking lots where water runs off instead of soaks in). Within the 2020 permit, the DEC listed activities that require permit coverage, including the new development or redevelopment of ½ acre or more of impervious surface starting July 1, 2022.

Vermont Business Magazine JPMorgan Chase today announced that it is now able to accept government deposits in all 50 US states. This milestone is significant because most states require or encourage banks to have a local branch presence to be eligible to receive or hold government deposits in the state, often described as a qualified public depository. As the only bank to achieve this status today, JPMorgan Chase is expanding its banking services to new states and municipalities, improving accessibility to innovative and secure financial solutions that help public entities operate more efficiently and dedicate more resources to serving their communities. This announcement signifies the completion of a multi-year, collaborative effort to expand the firm’s services to the public sector and reach new markets across the country, including Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Saint Michael’s College cupola – the most recognizable symbol used to represent the school – has returned to campus today to be placed upon a new pedestal. Construction on the cupola’s new site began in September and is ongoing. The cupola formerly adorned Founders Hall, the oldest building on campus, for more than a century before the building was taken down in May 2021. After considerable study, the College had determined that bringing Founders Hall up to modern standards would be too costly. The cupola, however, was able to be saved.  

Vermont Business Magazine ABC Supply Co. Inc, the nation’s largest wholesale distributor of roofing, siding and other select exterior and interior building products, has acquired the United States distribution business of Kaycan, a leading manufacturer and distributor of siding and other products, from Saint-Gobain. This includes the location in Williston on Boyer Circle, behind the FedEx facility. ABC Supply has an existing Williston facility off Williston Road behind Vermont Paint. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT), along with its tri-state partners in New Hampshire and Maine, today announced the launch of a more user-friendly and greatly enhanced New England 511 website that will enable travelers to plan better for trips in the region. The improved website works well on smart phones and features new functions such as customizable text and email alerts for specific roads and counties. In addition to searching the website’s map for areas with traffic congestion or active construction, users can now search for EV charging stations, view updated road conditions this winter during weather events, and more.

by Anore Horton & John Sayles September 28 marked the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in more than 50 years. Elected officials, people who have experienced hunger, advocates, non-profits, and private-sector leaders came together to discuss solutions to the ongoing injustice of hunger. Far too many in our country know the experience of not having enough food, including many neighbors here in Vermont. Important advancements came from the first conference of this kind, held in 1969, including changes to food and nutrition policy, major expansions of what is now called SNAP/3SquaresVT and School Lunch Program, and the creation of the Supplemental Feeding Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC).

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) recently approved a $9.1 million grant to Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom (WCVT), in partnership with Maple Broadband, to expand fiber-optic broadband in parts of Addison, Bridport, Ferrisburgh, New Haven, Panton, Waltham, and Weybridge. The source of the grant funding is the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This project will extend WCVT’s fiber-to-the-home network to approximately 2,000 additional customers in parts of Addison County in the Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom service area. The network is capable of delivering broadband speeds of up to 1 Gigabyte.