Current News

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine Several years ago, transportation officials in Vermont had an economic development idea to use the popularity of the ski industry to expand the state’s regional airports near those resorts. Newport is the latest beneficiary. Development at the airports would not only organically benefit the ski resorts, but it would boost regional economic development. But it’s been only in the last couple of years that millions of dollars has been allocated and work has been done.

The newly named Northeast Kingdom International Airport (formerly Newport State Airport) in Coventry cut the ceremonial ribbon on what has been $17.1 million in upgrades. They include: extending the runway another 1,000 feet to 5,300 feet to allow for commercial flights; expanding the apron; new bonded warehouses; upgraded septic and water. The airport is now a Foreign Trade Zone to allow for international commerce.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has approved nearly $11.8 million in financing for commercial, agricultural, energy and small business projects totaling $29 million. VEDA approved more than $5.07 million through the Authority’s Vermont 504 Loan Program. VEDA’s Vermont 504 Corporation, with SBA’s approval, makes SBA 504 loans to eligible and qualified borrowers, funding these loans through SBA-guaranteed debentures which are sold to private investors. The proceeds of the debenture are subsequently loaned to the borrower.

“VEDA is pleased to provide financing for projects that will help small businesses grow, strengthen family farms, and increase the availability of renewable energy in Vermont,” said Jo Bradley, VEDA Chief Executive Officer.

Included among the projects approved for financing through the Vermont 504 Loan Program:

by Erin Mansfield vtdigger.org One hundred thirty-two projects worth $1.3 billion. That’s the latest inventory of the information technology projects underway across Vermont state government, according to public documents from the department that provides oversight. The numbers from the Department of Information and Innovation outline the cost to implement, maintain, and operate each project over its first five years. Not all of the projects will be done at the same time. And in the case of Vermont Health Connect, some figures represent the closest estimate the state could come up with as of October 1.

The Department of Vermont Health Access, which oversees Medicaid programs and Vermont Health Connect, is involved in the vast majority of IT projects, $866.1 million worth, to deliver health care and other services to vulnerable populations or replace outdated systems at the Agency of Human Services.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Precision Tools (VPT), headquartered in Swanton, Vermont, a manufacturer of high quality precision medical bur blanks for the OEM medical industry, and Vermont HITEC, Inc, a non-profit organization dedicated to high-quality workforce development, has announced an education and apprenticeship program that will bring Machine Operator jobs to Vermont over the next several months. A Machine Operator is responsible for the operation of various cylindrical grinding machines as well as the operation of multiple computer controlled (CNC) equipment.

by Joshua E Brown University of Vermont For decades, phosphorus pollution has been contributing to unwanted algae blooms in many lakes—including Lake Champlain. A raft of recent research has pointed a finger at eroding streambanks, suggesting that their washed-out soils are a major source of this phosphorus flow. But a new UVM study complicates that picture, raising questions about whether, in fact, streambank erosion is a culprit in Lake Champlain’s phosphorus problem. The new research shows that, indeed, eroding streambanks may increase the raw-total amount of phosphorus that ends up in the lake—but, unexpectedly, some of these soils might decrease the amount of phosphorus available for algae to use in their growth.

The Vermont Women’s Fund welcomes Susan Stamberg of National Public Radio as the featured speaker for its annual benefit on November 12, 2015 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the UVM Davis Center in Burlington, Vermont. Famous for her 14 years as news anchor for National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, Stamberg was the first female broadcaster to anchor a national nightly news program. She also hosted NPR’s Weekend Edition/Sunday for three years. Her voice is familiar to a nation of listeners, particularly for the interviews she conducted with nationally-recognized figures in fields from arts to politics to entertainment.

“Ms. Stamberg is a trailblazer in her industry,” said Meg Smith, director of the Vermont Women’s Fund. “It is an honor to have her speak in support of women and girls in our state.”

Vermont Business Magazine Fat Toad Farm will be partnering with artisan cheesemaker and certified B Corporation, Vermont Creamery, in order to source a year-round supply of fresh, local goat’s milk, to support the increasing demand for their award-winning Goat’s Milk Caramel Sauces. At the end of 2015, Fat Toad Farm’s herd of goats will be relocated to Ayers Brook Goat Dairy, opened in 2013 by Vermont Creamery. As the country’s first demonstration goat dairy, Ayers Brook Goat Dairy serves to develop and model best practices in dairy goat herd and feed management – with the goal of spurring the growth of the dairy goat industry in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine As part of a voluntary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant program, the Burlington International Airport (BTV) will release a draft updated noise exposure map. These maps are required for airport officials seeking federally-funded noise mitigation grants, and are meant to help address the neighbors and community concern about aircraft noise. This updated noise exposure map, or “NEM” will lead to changes regarding FAA recognized aircraft noise exposure and allow BTV to continue to have access to federal dollars for noise mitigation projects. The NEM uses a FAA-approved joint use methodology to account for the noise impacts of all airport activities.

The draft NEM document will be presented at a public meeting on Monday, November 9 at Chamberlin School in South Burlington between 6:00-8:00 pm. Comments received before 4:00 pm on Thursday, December 10 will be incorporated in the final submission to the FAA.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Public Service Department today released for public comment a draft addendum to the 2016 Electric Plan. The Electric Plan is incorporated into the 2016 Comprehensive Energy Plan (CEP). This draft addendum was not available in time to share for public comment concurrent with the CEP public comment period which recently concluded, so it is being made available for comment now through December 11, 2016.

by John McClaughry The Climate Change Warriors are ramping up for a full scale effort in Montpelier two months from now. Not content with the decade long carnival of subsidies, taxes, mandates and sweetheart deals to enrich the renewable energy complex, they’re now going for the brass ring – making you pay the Carbon Tax. The carbon tax campaign flies the flag of “Energy Independent Vermont”, a coalition of nine environmental lobby groups led by the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG).

Vermont Business Magazine As part of its "Bring Change" campaign, the TD Bank on Main Street hosted a community coin counting event that raised $2,329.84 for the Montpelier Food Pantry. Customers, neighbors and others all came to donate their spare change, which TD matched up to $2,000 in coins counted. When community member Paul brought in his saved coins amounting to $42.57, he commented, "When folks are in need the community rallies together. I've had this coin sitting around for some time and when I read in the paper that TD was doing this for the Montpelier Food Pantry it didn't take me long to figure out this is the place to bring my change to help out my community."

Vermont Business Magazine Women in Chittenden County searching for a new adventure need look no further. Burlington Adventure Boot Camp for Women announces ISMA Certified Personal Trainer Travis Gervais as the new owner/trainer. Gervais, an Essex Junction resident and St Albans native, holds seven different fitness certifications including AAAI, HKC, and Adventure Boot Camp, as well as completed seven marathons, four 50K runs, three 50 mile runs and most recently, the TARC 100 mile run in Massachusetts.

“I have a passion for fitness and enjoying bringing that passion to my clients,” said Gervais. “Working hard and having fun is at the core of all of my workouts and training sessions.”