Current News

by Suresh V Garimella, president, University of Vermont In my extensive travels across the state, I’ve learned a lot from Vermonters.  Most I have spoken with look at the changes UVM has undergone in the last 15 years—from state-of-the-art new buildings that have transformed our campus to research that has improved the lives of Vermonters, to rising academic quality and robust enrollment—and see a vibrant institution on an upward trajectory that is good for the state.

Vermont Business Magazine In a unique partnership between RiseVT, the lead primary prevention strategy for OneCare Vermont, and the Beverage Association of Vermont, the state association of non-alcoholic beverage distributors, local patrons in stores and restaurants are being encouraged to select low-and-no sugar beverage options from coolers with “Sweet Enough” signage. Sweet Enough is a new behavior change marketing campaign launched by RiseVT this fall to encourage Vermonters to enjoy the sweet things in life, while being mindful of their beverage choices as a part of a balanced lifestyle. Americans consume 3 – 6 times more added sugar than the maximum recommended amount by the American Heart Association and Centers for Disease Prevention (CDC).

Vermont Business Magazine Today Dr Etan Nasreddin-Longo, chair of the Racial Disparities in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice System Advisory Panel, will present the Panel’s report to the Legislative Joint Justice Oversight Committee. The report contains extensive recommendations to the Legislature regarding ways to ameliorate the racial disparities that exist in our criminal and juvenile justice systems. These recommendations include centralizing a bias incident complaint process, significantly expanding data collection efforts, and implementing reforms to reduce racial profiling. The report also discusses root causes of racial disparities and summarizes the Panel’s extensive policy considerations. 

Vermont Business Magazine A new report takes an evaluative look at policies and projects across the country, including 11 case studies, and it draws out lessons learned to guide the implementation of solar in under-resourced communities to ensure long-term economic, equity, and public health benefits. Solar energy can reduce electricity costs and attract further investments, yet disadvantaged communities chronically lack access to the booming solar economy. Financing challenges, limited policy vehicles to support project development, and other obstacles put it out of reach of many working families.

Vermont Business Magazine The American Institute of Architects, Vermont Chapter (AIAVT) announced the recipients of its 2019 Excellence in Architecture Design Awards Program at its annual meeting, held on December 4, 2019, at the UVM Alumni House in Burlington, VT. Six projects—running the gamut from a play structure designed and built by Norwich University Architecture students for a local elementary school, to the new Barr Hill Distillery—were chosen for demonstrating an “extraordinary level of competence” by a jury of Maine peers that selected from 30 entries submitted by AIAVT member architects. 

Vermont Business Magazine The American Institute of Architects Vermont Chapter (AIAVT) honored Richmond-based Birdseye with two design awards at their annual meeting held on December 4th at the University of Vermont Alumni House in Burlington. “We’re truly honored to be recognized for both of these projects,” said Brian Mac, principal architect at Birdseye.

Vermont Business Magazine In response to the publication of the conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2020, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif) issued the following statement: “Congress must vote against this disastrous Pentagon authorization—a bill of astonishing moral cowardice..."

Vermont Business Magazine Vail Resorts, Inc (NYSE: MTN) on Monday announced a series of major capital improvements across its resorts that are designed to make getting on and around its mountains faster and easier through terrain expansions, new lifts and expanded restaurant experiences. This specifically includes Okemo in Ludlow, Vermont, which will upgrade its Quantum lift from a four-person to a six-person, high-speed chairlift and relocating the existing four-person, high-speed Quantum lift to replace the Green Ridge three-person chairlift. Vail is also promising major investments to all its eastern US resorts, which includes Stowe Mountain Resort. which it acquired in 2017 and Mount Snow, acquired last summer.

Vermont Business Magazine Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI), a leading commercial real estate investment services firm with offices throughout the United States and Canada, has announced the exclusive listing for sale of 47,837 square feet of boutique retail and service condominium space located within the Village at Stratton, a mixed-use development at the center of the Stratton Mountain Resort in Stratton Village, Vermont. The price is $18,069,000.

by John R Brumsted, MD There can be no debate: Accessing health care services can be difficult at times, navigating our complex system can be confusing, and we all know that health care costs too much for far too many families. This is why the University of Vermont Health Network is "all-in" on the State's policy demanding real changes in the way we deliver health care and the way we operate the health care system. To achieve these incredibly difficult goals, we became a founding member of OneCare Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has again awarded Northern Counties Health Care and its five medical practices (Concord Health Center, Danville Health Center, Hardwick Area Health Center, Island Pond Health & Dental Center, and St. Johnsbury Community Health Center) Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition.

As stated on the NCQA website, “The Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of care that places the patient at the forefront of care and emphasizes team-based care, communication, and coordination.  Research shows that PCMHs improve quality and the patient experience, and increase staff satisfaction—while reducing health care costs. Practices that earn recognition have made a commitment to continuous quality improvement and a patient-centered approach to care.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Women’s and Children’s Services Department at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), received a donation of four framed posters and one work on canvas from internationally recognized visual artist Susana Aldanondo.