Current News

Sue Minter, Democratic candidate for governor: It’s hard to believe that anything good can come of a disaster. But five years after Tropical Storm Irene ravaged our brave little state, I travel with pride through a Vermont that is stronger and more resilient than it was before that terrible night when the flood waters rose.

by Gaye Symington, High Meadows Fund We find out who we are when we are pushed to our limits. In August 2011, the power of water pushed Vermont hard – and revealed the power of our Vermont community. Tropical Storm Irene was a momentous event in Vermont’s history, and the response to Irene showed our remarkable identity as a people and as neighbors who care for each other. In the time since Irene, our state has confronted the new reality of more frequent and intense storms. We have been working together as a state and as communities to be better prepared and more resilient together. However, we have more to do.

by Gary Franklin A new federal law protecting confidential business information became effective on May 11, 2016. The adoption of the Defend Trade Secrets Act (the “Act”) arose from the federal government’s recognition of the importance of trade secrets and the devastating impact on the economy from their misappropriation. Trade secret theft causes annual losses of more than 2 million jobs and over $300B to the American economy undermining the means and incentive for entrepreneurs to innovate. 

Vermont Business Magazine Phil Scott, Republican candidate for governor, will be joining Vermonters across the state this weekend in celebration and commemoration of their five-year commitment to restoring Vermont’s communities in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene. As Lt. Governor, Phil saw first-hand the on-the-ground recovery effort, which continues to this day, and the hard work that many Vermonters poured into rebuilding our state. The tour is an opportunity for Phil to reconnect with those communities that banded together five years ago.

Schedule:     Saturday, Aug 27^th 4 – 5 p.m.: More-Fest Auto and Antique Tractor Show

• Moretown Elementary School, Moretown, Vt.  

Sunday, Aug 28^th 10 – 10:45 a.m.: White River Resilience Festival

Vermont Business Magazine - Senator Patrick Leahy Friday announced that he will participate in three debates in this fall’s campaign for the United States Senate.  The three debates will be hosted by Vermont PBS, Vermont Public Radio and Channel 17 and follows precedent established in previous elections.   Leahy welcomed and encouraged other media outlets to collaborate on these debates. 

Leahy spokesman Jay Tilton said: “Senator Leahy is looking forward to having a positive, issue oriented debate with his opponents this fall, just as he has in previous cycles.”

Tilton noted Leahy agreed to two of these debates before Republican candidate for Senate Scott Milne issued his “debate challenge.”

Vermont Business Magazine - With Hurricane Irene still fresh in all of our minds and observing the fifth anniversary of that devastating storm this weekend I would like to share a story from the Baton Rogue Business Report. Like Vermont, Louisiana is struggling after horrible flooding hit their state and in [articular, Baton Rogue. The people and businesses of Louisiana need our help. Five years ago, Vermonters and people from throughout the country came and helped our state, its people, their communities and businesses and without that help, who knows where we would be today. I urge our readers to help the people of Louisiana any way they can. The story below has a link where you can make a donation to the Louisiana Small Business Rebirth Fund. Thank you for your support. - John Boutin, Publisher, Vermont Business Magazine

Attorneys and staff of Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC are mourning the loss of Attorney and Director Eric A. Poehlmann, 46, who died this week while hiking in Colorado. 

“We are all deeply saddened to learn of Eric’s untimely death,” said Paul H. Ode Jr., managing partner and chief executive officer at DRM. “Eric was a skilled legal craftsman and one of the firm’s top litigators. He was highly regarded by our clients. He was loved and respected by everyone at the firm. He will be sorely missed.”

Eric A. Poehlmann

Poehlmann joined DRM after graduating from Cornell Law School in 1996. He was named a director in 2005.

Vermont Business Magazine - Senior officials and congressional staff gathered today to commend the City of Barre for a comprehensive project that will limit future flood damages to its downtown businesses and residences, and to commit the support of state and federal agencies to similar projects statewide. The event at City Hall Park came five years after Tropical Storm Irene devastated many communities across Vermont. An  official “Commemoration Day” proclaimed by Governor Peter Shumlin is this Sunday.

Vermont Business Magazine - By Michael Bielawski Vermont Watchdog The 28-turbine Stiles Brook Wind Project proposed by Spanish company Iberdrola Renewables, were it to go forward, would not only be the largest in the state but also the most intrusive.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Teddy Bear Company is donating over 200 Little Hero Bears at this weekend’s Shelburne Volunteer Fire Department 75^th Anniversary celebration. “Our Little Hero Bear program has been in place for over 10 years and is our way of helping first responders across the nation,” says Vermont Teddy Bear Company CEO Bill Shouldice. “It is a unique program and one that we are proud to share with the Shelburne Volunteer Fire Department for their 75^th anniversary.”

The Little Hero Bear program helps children in crisis during emergency events. Every time a Little Hero Bear is purchased, Vermont Teddy Bear donates a second Little Hero Bear to a police department, fire department or rescue squad. These donations ensure that kids get the comfort they need when they need it most: during crisis situations. To date, over 15,000 Little Hero Bears have been donated to first responder units across the country.

Vermont Business Magazine - In the face of a recent spate of heroin overdoses and growing fears that, in addition to fentanyl-laced heroin, a more dangerous version of the drug called carfentanil is poised to move into the state, Gov. Peter Shumlin and Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD announced today that the Department of Health has issued a standing order for the opioid overdose rescue drug naloxone (brand name Narcan®) for all of Vermont. This allows any pharmacy to dispense the life-saving drug to anyone – without a prescription.

In addition, the Governor said he was pleased that Walgreens will begin offering naloxone without a prescription to customers beginning September 1, and has installed a safe medication disposal kiosk in its South Burlington store that allows individuals to safely dispose of unwanted medication year-round at no cost.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University welcomes the largest incoming class in its history this fall with approximately 900 new students. The Class of 2020 brings a strong academic background with average SAT scores of 1040 and an average grade point average of 3.07. Seventy-nine members of the class have received extremely competitive three or four-year ROTC scholarships, and seventeen students will join the Honors Program. On Sunday, Aug 22, Norwich welcomed approximately 600 first year members of the Corps of Cadets, called Rooks, for a week of orientation. On Wednesday, Aug 24, Norwich welcomed approximately 300 civilian students: about 270 residential and 30 commuter students. The first day of class begins on Monday.