Current News

by Mike Smith Wednesday is Veterans Day. We normally celebrate by thanking a veteran or current military member. But when you think of it, we really need to say thanks to more than just the veteran. Most of us never experience the long, sometimes dangerous, time away from home and family that military members endure. It creates hardships that few of us understand, even if we can sympathize. It’s extraordinarily difficult for servicemen and women to be gone for long periods of time. Missing holidays, milestones and the daily life of our families can be unbearable, even with technology that helps keep families connected. Beyond the obvious danger, contemplating how life back home moves ahead without you is simultaneously comforting and concerning.

Vermont Business Magazine A new study published online November 5 in the American Journal of Psychiatry casts a shadow on light therapy’s status as the gold standard for treating SAD, or seasonal affective disorder. While the treatment is effective at addressing acute episodes of SAD, a SAD-tailored version of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is significantly better at preventing relapse in future winters, the study found. Led by University of Vermont psychology professor Kelly Rohan and funded with a $2 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, it is the first large scale study to examine light therapy’s effectiveness over time.

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice (RAVNAH) has announced that it has been named a Top Agency of the 2015 HomeCare Elite, a recognition of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States. Now celebrating its 10th year, the HomeCare Elite™ identifies the top Medicare-certified agencies. Winners are ranked by an analysis of publicly available performance measures in quality outcomes, best practice (process measure) implementation, patient experience (Home Health CAHPS®), quality improvement and consistency, and financial performance.

RAVNAH is one of only two home care agencies in Vermont to achieve the distinguished designation in 2015, and is the only homecare agency in Rutland County to receive such recognition.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont was only one of four states to earn an "A" for low preterm birth rates, according to a national report. Portland, OR, had the best preterm birth rate of the top 100 cities with the most births nationwide, while Shreveport, Louisiana has the worst, as reported in the 2015 March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card, which for the first time graded cities and counties around the nation and revealed persistent racial, ethnic and geographic disparities within states.

The report also looked at six Vermont counties (see chart below). Chittenden, Rutland and Windsor received "A" grades, Franklin received a "B" and Washington and Windham got "Cs."

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State Representatives Kesha Ram (D-Burlington), Corey Parent (R-St. Albans), and Diana Gonzalez (P/D-Winooski) announced on Monday the formation of the Vermont Future Caucus, becoming the ninth state to join the Millennial Action Project’s (MAP) State Future Caucus network. Through this partnership, Vermont will join a nationally recognized coalition of young elected officials determined to break through partisan gridlock in order to govern cooperatively and revitalize our democracy. Ram has announced she is running for lieutenant governor next year.

“There is too much at stake for the next generation to let partisanship trump progress,” said Ram. “Young people need real solutions to address the cost of higher education, the ability to afford having a family, and access to meaningful job opportunities. I am glad to have partners from all sides of the aisle recognize the importance and urgency of this work.”

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, October 24, locals shopped till they dropped – and raised more than $22,000 to fight hunger. During the 6^th annual Charity Sale, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel and its customers collectively raised $22,790 for the Vermont Foodbank and JCEO Plattsburgh Foodshelf. On Monday, Lenny’s owners Mark and Todd McCarthy presented a check for $17,450 to Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles. Wednesday, Lenny’s will present a check for $5,340 to the JCEO Plattsburgh Foodshelf.

“What an incredible donation!” said Sayles. “We are deeply grateful to Lenny’s and their loyal customers for their years of partnership. Together we are ensuring that our neighbors have the food they need during times of great need.”

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center recently announced the appointment of Doug Gentile, M.D., to the position of chief medical information officer. In this position, he will oversee the information services (IS) teams who work on projects in the clinical areas of the medical center. He will also serve as the liaison between medical center providers and IS staff who work on the electronic medical record. Prior to accepting this position, Dr Gentile served as the medical director for clinical information systems, overseeing staff who develop computer information systems for applications such as clinical decision-making, electronic imagery, clinical documentation and provider order entry systems.

Vermont Business Magazine In May, VEC reached its annual cap on net metering installations. To control the cost of the net metering program, the VEC Board of Directors voted not to exceed the annual cap, and VEC asked the Public Service Board (PSB) if VEC could continue accepting net metering applications in 2015 to count towards the 2016 annual cap. In September, the PSB gave its approval for this request. The PSB ruled that projects that submitted applications since June can construct in 2015 and even interconnect with VEC’s permission. Net metering is the program that allows members to install small-scale renewable generation such as solar panels and wind turbines.

Vermont Business Magazine Today the Clean Water Fund Board recommended spending a projected $10.4 million to reduce nutrient pollution in Vermont’s waterways. The funds will be administered by state agencies in 2016 and 2017, once the legislature approves the plan next session. Nutrient pollution carried in runoff can fuel excessive plant and algae growth in Vermont’s waters, such as blue green algae blooms in Lake Champlain.

Vermont Business Magazine The Norwich University Corps of Cadets and broader community will pay tribute to all veterans on Tuesday, November 10 with a special remembrance ceremony at 1 pm on the Upper Parade Ground. Highlighting the ceremony will be guest speaker Brigadier General Gary W. Keefe ’86, chief of staff of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. Keefe graduated Norwich with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and commissioned in 1986. He completed his active duty service in 1992, at which time he joined the Massachusetts Air National Guard with the 104^th Fighter Wing as an active guard/reservist. Keefe holds a Master of Science in Management from Lesley University and attended Air War College, National Defense University, and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Vermont Business Magazine Tradewind Aviation will soon launch the first scheduled flight to Stowe, Vermont, in over 30 years via their scheduled shuttle service. Operating between Westchester County Airport in New York and Morrisville-Stowe State Airport in Vermont, the new route was created in conjunction with Stowe Aviation following their $27 million renovation program at the Morrisville-Stowe State Airport. Tradewind will be the only carrier to offer scheduled flights directly to the popular ski destination and its flights will offer the comfort and convenience of a private charter for the cost of a single seat. Travelers visiting from the New York metro area typically must succumb to a commercial flight to Burlington, Vermont, followed by a one hour drive, so this direct one-hour flight gives skiers more time to hit the slopes.

Vermont Business Magazine General Fund revenues totaled $115.80 million for October versus the monthly target of $116.51 million, -$0.72 million or –0.61% short. The shortfall was due primarily to the “Other” category which fell -$1.19 million below target. Personal Income Taxes of $63.93 million exceeded target by +$0.46 million or +0.72%, while Corporate Income Taxes of $23.14 were essentially on target. The October results caused a small back slide in cumulatively year-to-date General Fund receipts. However, cumulative total of $456.06 million remains above the Y-T-D target by +$4.19 million, or +0.93%. Y-T-D October revenue receipts for FY 2016 exceed the prior year (FY 2015) results by +$21.74 million, or +5.01%.