Current News

Vermont Business Magazine A first-of-its-kind research boat is under construction for the University of Vermont. A 64-foot aluminum catamaran, the hybrid-electric vessel will be a floating classroom and laboratory—and model of seaworthy sustainability. With two AC electric motors, backed up by two 306-horse-power diesel engines, the vessel will be able to run on all-electric power for trips under two hours. This will provide a low-emissions boat with few vibrations—nearly silent for students and researchers, and less intrusive for studying fish and other wildlife on the lake. The boat also has an advanced new catamaran hull form that has been optimized to minimize resistance at low speeds, accommodate battery storage, and ensure stability even in rough weather.

Vermont Business Magazine Each year members of the Vermont Technology Alliance contribute several million dollars in financial contributions and in-kind support to community and non-profit organizations in Vermont – and 2020 was no different. Even this year, given the economic impact of COVID-19 and the limitations of social distancing, many businesses have continued to make a positive impact on Vermont communities and organizations.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) has been leading the fight in Washington to provide direct benefits to working families as they struggle through the pandemic and economic downturn. Sanders is fighting for $1,200 for every worker earning less than $75,000 a year, and $2,400 a couple earning less than $150,000 a year. Each child would receive a benefit of $500. This is what existed in the CARES Act passed in March. Currently, negotiations have the benefit set at $600 per adult and $600 per child. At this level, approximately 445,000 Vermont adults and 153,000 children — roughly 93 percent of the state’s population — would receive these benefits. This amounts to over $345 million in direct benefits going to Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine WhistlePig announced Wednesday that Moët Hennessy, the world leader in luxury wines and spirits, has agreed to become WhistlePig’s partner in bringing its premier aged rye whiskey to consumers in selected markets around the world. In addition, as part of this agreement Moët Hennessy has acquired a minority stake in WhistlePig. The partnership and minority investment will have no impact on WhistlePig’s distribution partnerships in North America and is focused on building WhistlePig and the brand outside of North America. WhistlePig is based in Shoreham, Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand today highlighted the department’s investments in 2020 that are building prosperity and strengthening the nation’s rural businesses and communities.

by Kevin Ellis At 300,000 deaths and a crippled economy, we are now on the verge of another stimulus bill from Congress to keep the country afloat. Unemployment checks are running out along with paycheck protection and renter forgiveness. Lacking a stimulus bill, we will see even worse income inequality and hardship for hard-working people on the edge - evictions and hunger while the stock-holding class watches their unearned income hit record highs. But there is another issue we need to tackle: who gets the stimulus money? Corporations or people? For months, corporations have been lining up at the federal trough via their lobbyists and lawyers and political contributions for a bite at the next COVID bailout apple.

Vermont Business Magazine Manufacturing Solutions Inc (MSI) of Morrisville commits to an environmentally and fiscally sustainable future by installing a large solar panel array on their warehouse facility that is projected to offset 50 percent of the annual electric consumption of MSI's operations. The new roof-mounted American-assembled solar array is made up of 1,361 individual 395 watt Hanwha Q.Cell modules that feed five 100kw SolarEdge Inverters. In total, the system generates 538kw of solar energy. With Vermont's net metering program, the energy produced will offset an estimated 50 percent of the electrical needs of MSI's facility. The solar array stimulated local business in construction and installation through the use of local SustainableVT's expert involvement.

Vermont Business Magazine A new nature preserve will be established by the Town of Cambridge, the Vermont Land Trust announced today. The town acquired the land from Sally Laughlin, who worked together with the Vermont Land Trust and the Cambridge Conservation Commission to create the new community resource. The 51-acre Peter A. Krusch Nature Preserve, named after Laughlin’s late husband, will include forest, meadows, streams and ravines, and will be open to all. It will also improve access to the adjoining Cambridge Pines State Forest, one of Vermont’s few examples of old forest.

Vermont Business Magazine A new analysis by Rewiring America shows that transitioning to 100% clean energy through electrification would save Vermont as much as $973 Million in energy costs each year while dramatically reducing economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions. The Rewiring America Report, “No Place Like Home: Vermont. Saving money and creating jobs by electrifying America’s households,” finds that savings would mean up to $3,603 ​per year​ in savings to each Vermont household’s energy bills.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott is seeking applicants for appointment to the new three-member Cannabis Control Board. All members will be appointed by the Governor after being vetted by the Cannabis Control Board Nominating Committee.

Vermont Business Magazine Despite the Vermont Department of Health reporting that statewide cases fell below 100 for the second straight day, the VDH reported that Vermont has exceeded more than 6,000 total cases. More importantly, there were five more deaths for a total of 105. The last two weeks have been the deadliest in Vermont since the beginning of the pandemic. Chittenden and Franklin counties have been particularly hard hit.

Vermont Department of Health Health Commissioner Mark Levine, M.D. said at last Friday’s press conference that it’s now been about two weeks since Thanksgiving, but so far, we have not seen a “surge on a surge” of COVID-19 cases. “None of our recent contact tracing efforts have revealed clusters of cases coming from this holiday,” Dr. Levine said. “We hope this means that Vermonters either avoided Thanksgiving gatherings or kept them small … and we truly appreciate that.” However, said Dr. Levine, “These numbers are not something we should develop a new comfort level around.”