Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc on Thursday reported its financial results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2021. Revenues were $242.0 million for the quarter, up $39.3 million, or up 19.4%, from the same period in 2020. Net income was $15.9 million for the quarter, up $0.8 million, or up 4.9%, from the same period in 2020. Third quarter financial results exceeded expectations, with solid operating execution, cost efficiencies and strong cash flow growth. The Rutland-based company raised its revenue, net income, Adjusted EBITDA, net cash provided by operating activities, and Adjusted Free Cash Flow guidance ranges.

New Streamlined Heat Pump Rebate Process for GMP Customers Starts November 1

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) and Efficiency Vermont announced a new streamlined heat pump rebate process for customers that will start November 1 making it easier to switch away from fossil fuel for heating. Through a partnership with Efficiency Vermont, GMP customers who buy heat pumps can still get up to $1,200 in total savings per condenser, with some of that savings applied up front without the need to submit a rebate form after the purchase.

And, customers who are low and moderate income will get bonus savings through a single streamlined post-purchase rebate application. Previously, customers had to fill out separate forms, with different criteria, for GMP rebates and Efficiency Vermont rebates.

Vermont Business Magazine Waterbury Area Trails Alliance (WATA) and The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR), which owns and manages the Perry Hill Block within the CC Putnam State Forest, are excited to announce the opening of a 1,500-foot extension to the Six Flags Trail at Perry Hill. The new section of multi-use mountain bike trail will connect Joe’s Trail to the Main Climb and will support mountain biking and pedestrian activities. The new trail section will allow for the closure of the Duct Tape Trail which was receiving limited use and required a high degree of annual maintenance.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today that COVID-19 cases fell today after a steep increase Thursday, and fell under 200 Saturday. COVID cases fell from 265 last Sunday to 140 on Monday to 91 Tuesday to 164 Wednesday to 316 Thursday to 262 Friday to 179 Saturday. The five worst days for cases have all come since mid-September, as the Delta variant has taken over since early July. Thursday was the fifth highest on record. The VDH also reported Saturday no deaths for 364 statewide. There have been 13 COVID fatalities this week.

There are 51 people hospitalized (down nine) with 16 in the ICU (up four). Hospitalizations are high but have been stable.

There have been six deaths since Wednesday, with five coming among those 80+ and one in the 60-69 age band. Recent fatalities have been exclusively among older Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the State of Vermont $117,000 to use to help implement Act 66- the state program requiring testing for lead in school drinking water. This money was awarded to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC) through the voluntary Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation, or WIIN, Act Testing in Schools and Childcare Program grant program. In 2019, State enacted Act 66, requiring testing and remediation of lead in drinking water of schools and childcare facilities. The Act requires every outlet used for consumptive purposes at a school or childcare facility must be sampled for lead. The EPA WIIN Act funding helps implement Act 66 focusing on providing sampling at facilities with the most vulnerable populations, children and older facilities with lead-containing infrastructure.

Agency of Transportation This weekly report for the week of November 1 is a list of planned construction activities that will have traffic impacts on state highways throughout Vermont. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.

Vermont Business Magazine Industrial computer hardware manufacturer and IoT solution provider, OnLogic (www.onlogic.com), based in South Burlington, has announced the availability of their first devices to feature global cellular connectivity from IoT solution provider UROS. OnLogic computers with the UROS Connect eSIM solution are able to transmit and receive data, without the need for Wi-Fi or tethering, across a wide range of global cellular networks. The combination of OnLogic hardware and UROS Connect is exceptionally easy to use, reliable and secure. Setting up the connection requires little effort and limited technical expertise.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront (BPRW) has been referring the newest public park space simply as “the 311 North Ave park property.” This afternoon people gathered to celebrate the park’s new official name. Unlike today’s park space, the history of the land hasn’t always been a positive story. Beginning with the original colonization of Abenaki land, this land has also housed a misused orphanage where many children experienced abuse, followed by the unfortunate closure of Burlington College, a beloved local arts college. Now in public hands, the park is embracing a management plan that centers on healing and reciprocation. It will be, in perpetuity, a space for learning, sharing, and reflection.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced a series of vaccination clinics that will be held in the Northeast Kingdom between Saturday, October 30th and Saturday, November 6th. On Thursday, Governor Scott, Commissioner Mark Levine and Secretary Mike Smith were in Orleans County to stress the importance of getting vaccinated and getting your booster. While there, Governor Scott received his booster shot at North Country Hospital. The 7-day positivity rate in some of the counties in the Northeast Kingdom is more than double that of the state-wide average.

​Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Board of Trustees today approved President Suresh Garimella’s plan to continue helping students and families by extending UVM’s tuition freeze for a fourth consecutive year. Board approval results in no increase for the 2022-2023 academic year for all students regardless of their degree level or residency status. The decision results in the Class of 2023 completing four years of study at UVM paying the same for tuition as they did when they started. Undergraduate in-state tuition is $16,392; out-of-state is $41,280.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s leading afterschool advocates praised Governor Phil Scott and US Senator Bernie Sanders for the important steps they announced today to “turn the lights on” for universal afterschool in the state. The executive order Governor Scott issued will create the Vermont Interagency Afterschool Youth Task Force, which will be charged with facilitating the continued development of a statewide system offering safe, enriching, and comprehensive options for Vermont’s youth from kindergarten through high school. In addition, the new grant program the Governor announced will support out-of-school-time programs in the state so they can expand access to afterschool and summer learning programs in the summer of 2022 and during the 2022/2023 school year.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) today announced the launch of a new program, the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), to help eligible households pay their water and wastewater bills, avoid shutoffs, and ensure their services stay active. LIHWAP is a temporary program established under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 to help families experiencing financial hardship during the Coronavirus pandemic.