Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Peter Reed (I) to fill the Orange-Washington-Addison House District vacancy following the resignation of former Representative Ben Jickling (I) in August 2019. Reed has lived in Braintree since 2014, following a 35-year career in banking and securities in Puerto Rico, Chicago, New York and Connecticut. From 2015 to 2019, he managed the Randolph and Bethel branches of Northfield Savings Bank. Reed serves on the boards of the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation and Gifford Medical Center and is active in economic development and community initiatives in the Randolph area.

Vermont Business Magazine The Hoehl Family Foundation has awarded $300,000 to The Curtis Fund’s new Credentials of Value scholarship program, helping hundreds of Vermonters complete career training for Vermont’s high-demand, high-return jobs. The Curtis Fund, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, joined with Vermont Student Assistance Corp (VSAC) to pilot the program last year with 22 learners across eight counties.

Vermont Business Magazine After ranking Number 1 in moving in a United Van Lines survey released last week, Vermont fell three spots to rank Number 10 in the U-Haul survey. Meanwhile, Florida greeted the largest number of U-Haul moving trucks entering its borders versus exiting them, establishing a new Number 1 growth state for the first time in four years. Florida, which ranked second to Texas from 2016-18, bested the Lone Star State for growth this past year, according to U-Haul data analyzing US migration trends for 2019.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) has announced the results of its December 3, 2019, annual election of VMEC Advisory Board members and Board Chair. Re-elected to additional two-year terms were: David Blittersdorf, President/ CEO/ Owner, All Earth Renewables (Williston); Lisa Groeneveld, COO/ Co-Owner, OnLogic (South Burlington) and Ben Riehl, President/ CEO/ Owner, GW Plastics, Inc. (Bethel). Elected to an additional one-year term was Ed Townley, President/ CEO, Agri-Mark Cabot Creamery, Inc (Waitsfield).

Lindsay Kurrle, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development

by Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos The start of the new year provides an opportunity to reflect and set out our intentions for the months ahead. This year, I am asking all Legislators to join me in committing to protect and expand access for Vermonters who are seeking access to public records. The bottom line is: open government is good government! Vermonters shouldn’t have to pay for access to inspect public records their government creates in the course of agency business. Navigating who to ask, and how to request public records is enough of a hurdle for most Vermonters. They shouldn’t also be charged an arm and a leg to inspect those records. Remember, public records access isn’t merely a courtesy that Vermont government extends to the public. These records actually belong to the public. Government agencies and staff are merely the custodians in possession of them.

Vermont Business Magazine Seven Days founders Paula Routly and Pamela Polston announced today that 13 longtime employees are new shareholders in the media company the two women created almost 25 years ago. The holdings of those workers, combined with those of minority owners Cathy Resmer, Don Eggert and Colby Roberts, now represent 49 percent of the business. Financial terms were not disclosed. Routly told VBM that the transaction took place on January 1 and that it includes a five-year buyout of Polston, who will remain with Seven Days. Routly said she also acquired one percent of Polston's shares, giving her a 51 percent stake in the company.

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center is expanding its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Team has hired Patrick Brown and Cael Barkman. The team expansion reflects the commitment of Howard Center to advance its practice within the organization and in the community.

Patrick Brown has joined Howard Center as the new Community Engagement Liaison. Patrick has previously served on Howard Center’s Board of Trustees and as a community partner to the organization for many years.

As a change maker and community influencer, he has demonstrated leadership in developing inclusive communities and his connections span across and beyond Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The J Warren & Lois McClure Foundation has announced available funding for the 2020-2021 school year for efforts that improve equitable access to the postsecondary and career education that leads to Vermont’s most promising jobs. A supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, the McClure Foundation envisions a Vermont where no promising job goes unfilled for lack of a qualified applicant.

The McClure Foundation’s primary interest is in funding growth-stage efforts and programs seeking funding to pilot a model or a big idea, demonstrate effectiveness, expand delivery, or improve systems coordination in alignment with the Foundation’s mission.

by Representative Pattie McCoy (R-Poultney), House Minority Leader Despite a soaring stock market and strong GDP growth, many Vermonters are still struggling to make ends meet. High taxes, skyrocketing insurance premiums, escalating utility costs, and more, are keeping many stuck in a crisis of affordability. At the same time, small businesses that have been the bedrock of our towns and villages are struggling with excessive regulations, a labor force shortage, and intense competition from tax-friendly states like New Hampshire. It is no wonder so many Vermonters are leaving our state.

Vermont Business Magazine The new Cytation 7 Cell Imaging Multi-Mode Reader from BioTek Instruments combines an automated upright microscope, an inverted microscope, and multi-mode microplate detection in a single instrument. This combination of microscopes and multi-mode reading enables applications that would typically require multiple instruments.