Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governors and state legislators routinely praise small businesses for their contributions to economic growth and job creation, but states actually give big businesses the dominant share of their economic development incentive awards, according to a study of 14 states. In Vermont, 63 percent of awards valued at 83 percent of dollars awarded went to "big businesses," according to the report.

This analysis of more than 4,200 economic development incentive awards in 14 states finds that large companies receive dominant shares: 70 percent of the deals and 90 percent of the dollars. The deals, worth more than $3.2 billion, were granted by programs that are facially accessible to both small and large companies.

Vermont Business Magazine SolarCity (NASDAQ: SCTY), the nation's #1 solar provider, will host an all-day hiring event on Wednesday, October 21, with the aim of adding 500 employees to its sales force across 10 states, including Vermont. SolarCity, which provides more than one out of every three new solar power systems in the US, provides local solar sales, installation and service from more than 80 facilities. The company employs more than 14,000 in the US and had been adding more than 500 new employees per month in 2015, on average. The new hires will help it meet growing demand for solar in the Northeast, the Mid-Atlantic and California--among the fastest growing solar markets in the country.

The simultaneous events will take place on Wednesday, October 21 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the following locations:

Vermont Business Magazine Susan Koch, a Union Elementary School Kindergarten and First Grade teacher in Montpelier, has been selected as the 2016 Vermont Teacher of the Year (VT-TOY), the Agency of Education announced today. In addition to teaching first grade, she has encouraged and developed the Educating Children Outdoors (ECO) Program in Montpelier. This outdoor education program has now spread to all of the grades at Union Elementary. All students are given the opportunity to learn in a natural setting throughout the entire school year.

Also recognized are:

· Alternate Anne Marie Mahar, a science and biology teacher for grades 11-12 at Rutland High School; and

· Finalist Stephen Rand, an English teacher at Harwood Union Middle and High School for grades 9-12.

Vermont Business Magazine US Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Dr Gregory Parham visited Slopeside Syrup in Richmond Tuesday joining USDA Rural Development State Director Ted Brady who announced that the maple producer was one of six Vermont forest and agricultural producers receiving $734,045 in USDA Value Added Producer Grants. The grants will help Vermont farms and forestry operations build a natural pork supply chain, produce more naturally raised turkeys, make artisan yogurt and gelato, create goat milk truffles, develop maple energy snacks and study new wood-based products.

Vermont Business Magazine In the third quarter of 2015, the Vermont Community Loan Fund (VCLF) provided $790,000 in flexible, supported financing to small businesses, early education and child care programs, affordable housing developers, and community-focused organizations, to support job creation, safe and affordable homes, high-quality early care and vital community services throughout Vermont.

Commenting on the busy lending period, VCLF Executive Director Will Belongia said, “Loan after loan, quarter after quarter, year after year, the Vermont Community Loan Fund’s work creating access to capital continues to show great benefits for Vermont: stronger, healthier communities, new jobs, safe, affordable homes, families on the rise. The opportunities we create for all Vermonters go far beyond the dollars and cents."

Projects financed in the 3rd Quarter of 2015 include:

Vermont Business Magazine Today Governor Peter Shumlin and Corrections Commissioner Lisa Menard announced that Cheryl Ward Elovirta has been appointed Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Corrections (DOC), making the first all-female leadership team at the Department in Vermont history. Elovirta replaces Menard, who was appointed Commissioner after Andy Pallito was appointed Commissioner of Finance. Elovirta brings 19 years of human service and criminal justice experience, most recently serving as a Field Services Operations Manager for the Department of Corrections.

“Cheryl brings incredible experience working with the Vermont corrections system,” Shumlin said. “Her leadership and comprehensive knowledge of the Department make her ideal for the role and we could not be more pleased to welcome her as Deputy Commissioner.”

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington's Mach7 Technologies, a global provider of enterprise medical image management solutions, has been named the Asia Pacific Medical Imaging Informatics Company of the Year by global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. Each year Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that demonstrates outstanding achievement and superior performance in the field of medical imaging informatics.

Frost & Sullivan notes that Mach7 Technologies delivers innovation and flexibility stating, “Mach7 moves imaging data from monolithic, interoperability-resistant PACS to modular, customized enterprise image management solutions through a PACS-neutral back-end-infrastructure with sophisticated enterprise PACS viewers. Not only does this make imaging data highly accessible, it also improves mobility and quality of service for radiologists.”

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine Following the August report that showed weakness but no change in the unemployment rate, the September Vermont jobless rate increased one-tenth as all three broad measures were negative: the Labor Force declined; employment was down, and unemployment was up. The Vermont Department of Labor announced today that the seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for September was 3.7 percent. This represents a one-tenth of a percentage point increase from the revised August rate (3.6 percent).

The national average in September was 5.1 percent. Vermont’s unemployment rate is eighth lowest in the country, after being 4th lowest in August. New Hampshire's unemployment rate dropped two-tenths and is now tied for third lowest. September represents the first over-the-month increase in the unemployment rate in the past 12 months. SEE TABLES BELOW.

Vermont Business Magazine Porter Airlines is resuming seasonal service between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Burlington. Tickets are available now on www.flyporter.com or by contacting a registered travel agent. Service begins December 17, and runs until April 3, two-times weekly. Porter continues to be the only airline offering non-stop scheduled flights to Vermont from Canada. A Vermont getaway offers travelers the peace and tranquility of quaint New England charm along with the best of modern life. Visitors can enjoy world-class accommodation, award-winning restaurants and unique boutiques for shopping.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin today in Montpelier recommended using funds from the Vermont Enterprise Fund to attract over 120 jobs – more than 50 in the Northeast Kingdom and up to 73 in the Bethel/Royalton area. In addition to the jobs, the $700,000 in awards would more than pay for themselves, generating millions in state revenue. The Enterprise Fund was established to help the State move quickly to seize opportunities and encourage the retention or creation of jobs throughout Vermont. Under the design of the Fund, legislative approval is required from the Emergency Board, which met today, is made up of the Legislature’s fiscal committee chairs. Along with approving the allocation, the E-Board also increased the Fund from $1 million to $1.2 million, but declined for now to increase it further for next year.

Vermont Business Magazine Approximately 150 Airmen from the 158th Fighter Wing in Burlington returned home from missions supporting the Pacific Command Theater Security Package, most recently in Japan. Air National Guard members were welcomed home Monday afternoon. The personnel and 10 F-16 Fighting Falcons were deployed to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan and Kunsan Air Base in South Korea.

"The Vermont Air National Guard is very proud of their contribution to regional security and stability in the Pacific," said Major General Steven Cray, the adjutant general, "We look forward to their return and reuniting them with their families."

VTANG photo shows Vermont guard members boarding their plane last April.

Vermont Business Magazine Created by legislative action during the past session, the Government Restructuring and Operations Review Commission (Commission) has begun work. The Commission is soliciting feedback and ideas on “areas where partnerships between the public and private sectors could provide long-term improvements in quality and cost-effectiveness of management or service delivery” and state government’s “consistency with a results-based and outcomes-based focus . . . .” Members of the public, businesses, service providers, partners, vendors and others who have information, suggestions, or informative experiences with how Vermont State Government is organized and operates are encouraged to get involved. Reports and recommendations will be submitted to the Vermont Legislature on February 16, 2016 and November 15, 2016.

The Commission is comprised of: