Current News
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Continuing his push for Vermont to divest from coal stocks, Gov. Peter Shumlin today highlighted the negative effects the burning of coal has on Vermont’s lakes and waterways, fish species, and forests and how it threatens important economic industries like tourism, outdoor recreation, and iconic maple sugaring.
“Vermont should not be in the business of owning coal stocks,” Gov. Shumlin said. “As a state, we should not be supporting an industry that so directly pollutes our air, water, and forests. The coal industry prioritizes profits over the health of Vermonters and our environment. We should join California in divesting from this industry.”
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine The City of Burlington and the Burlington community have a significant investment in Burlington Telecom’s success and interests in ensuring affordable, effective, and responsive fiber optic services for its residents. To that end, the City is engaged in a public process with the residents of Burlington to determine criteria by which the City should be guided in a future transaction involving the ownership of Burlington Telecom. We invite you to join the discussion and share your thoughts at the final public meeting:
Wednesday, February 10
DPW Conference Room, 645 Pine Street
5:30 – 7:30 pm
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine. Gen Z -- the population born from 1995 to present -- is the second largest generation at 26% of the US population. By 2025, Gen Z will grow dramatically, becoming the largest generation totaling 29% of the US population. (US Census Bureau 2015)
A brand's ability to anticipate where Gen Z is going and identify opportunities to reach them will help ensure its relevance and business success.
Analysis
In addition to Fuse's on-going youth culture research studies, throughout 2015 Fuse reviewed reliable research and articles to create a "poll of polls." This model identified the most common findings and trends.
While the information below is predictive in nature, it is representative of current trends. We believe the 2025 outcomes are extremely likely to occur unless some unforeseen events greatly change the trajectory of these trends.
Demographic Shifts
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine. Consistently cold overnight temperatures paired with the unwavering dedication of Okemo Mountain Resort’s experienced snowmaking team resulted in the opening of the only Superpipe in the East this week. Featuring 18-foot walls and extending over 500 feet in length, Okemo’s AMP Energy Superpipe is now open daily.
Okemo’s 18-foot Superpipe is located in The Zone and accessible via The Pull surface lift. In addition to the Superpipe, the resort has also built seven terrain parks containing 66 jumps, rails and other creative features.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine. A critic of Big Renewables in Vermont is free from the threat of criminal prosecution after the attorney general’s office dropped an investigation launched in response to complaints from an anonymous green-energy developer.
Standing before a large crowd, Annette Smith, surrounded by her attorney and victims of green-energy development, thanked supporters and the anonymous developer whose complaints against her backfired when Vermonters rallied to her cause.
“I want to thank the people who brought this complaint to the attorney general’s office,” Smith said to thunderous applause from dozens of people gathered at the Statehouse on Monday.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine. The St. Albans Cooperative Creamery is the first dairy cooperative in the nation to provide new information to farmers about the fatty acids that make up the milk fat in their cow’s milk. Local researchers found a direct correlation between the fat content in milk and farm management practices – this information will allow farmers to improve the way they feed and manage their cows as well as earn a higher pay for their milk. Recommendations from this research will support the economic viability of local dairy farms and ensure that consumers continue to have access to local, affordable dairy products.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Union Bank received the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Vermont 2015 Guaranteed Lender of the Year Award in recognition of the bank’s dedication to rural home buyers. USDA officials presented the award at the Woodbury residence of Craig and Rachel Wilson who purchased their home one year ago through Union Bank using the USDA’s Guaranteed Home Loan Program.
“The most effective way to ensure that young families call rural Vermont home is to provide them with an accessible and affordable avenue towards homeownership,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Ted Brady, “The USDA’s Guaranteed Home Loan Program removes financial obstacles that stand in the way of ownership, however, the program’s efficacy depends on strong partners such as Union Bank whose local presence makes them an invaluable asset to the program, the families they work with, and to rural communities across the state.”
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Berkshire Bank announced today its two charitable Foundations awarded a total of $1,810,229 in grants to non-profit organizations in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and Vermont during 2015. The grants supported important education and community development initiatives as well as health and human services and cultural programs. In addition, Berkshire Bank provided approximately $500,000 in community sponsorships, raising Berkshire’s total contributions in the community to more than $2.3 million.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Continuing a proud tradition, BioTek Instruments will receive the 2015 Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness Award, presented by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The award will be presented at the 2016 Worksite Wellness conference on March 30, 2016 in Burlington, VT. The conference highlights Vermont companies and their efforts to promote the health and wellness of employees. This year, Lilly Tarricone, Mark Boutin and Kathy Gendron at BioTek will be recognized for their leadership in BioTek’s BioFit wellness program.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont and Keene Medical Products, Inc. have reached an agreement settling a multi-year investigation by the Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit of the Attorney General’s Office and the Program Integrity Unit of the Department of Vermont Health Access regarding whether Keene submitted false claims or received overpayments from the Vermont Medicaid Program. Keene will pay in excess of $460,000 to settle potential claims, under the Vermont False Claims Act and Vermont Medicaid Fraud Statute, that Keene received improper payments from the Vermont Medicaid Program.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has approved $14.4 million in loan and bond financings for commercial, agricultural, energy and small business projects throughout Vermont. “VEDA is pleased to help two of Vermont’s municipal electric utilities reach their renewable energy generation goals through the issuance of US Treasury clean energy bonds,” said VEDA Chief Executive Officer Jo Bradley. “Other financings approved by VEDA will help support commercial and agricultural investments, and additional energy, small business, and community development projects throughout Vermont.”
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Vaccine Testing Center (VTC) has announced that it will be involved in the development of a vaccine for Zika virus, which was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization on February 1, 2016. UVM VTC faculty Kristen Pierce, M.D., (KP) an infectious disease specialist and associate professor of medicine, and Sean Diehl, Ph.D., (SD) an immunologist and assistant professor of medicine, have expertise in the characteristics of flaviviruses – a group of viruses, mostly transmitted via insects, that cause such human diseases as Zika virus, yellow fever, dengue, various types of encephalitis, and hepatitis C – and related vaccines. An infectious disease physician, Pierce has led or co-led several dengue and West Nile virus vaccine-related trials.