Current News

by Christine McGowan Skiing backcountry terrain in Vermont is hardly a new idea. Originally a mode of transportation for Vermonters stranded by unpassable, snow-covered roads, skiing in the woods dates back to the early 1900s when visitors from Norway introduced the novel idea of strapping long, wooden slats to your boots to move more easily through the snow.

Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday, November 6th, Superintendent Obeng emailed District staff and parents regarding his decision to step down at the end of our current school year.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Health Network has begun a pilot project to offer Genomic DNA Testing to patients as part of their clinical care. The pilot program is the beginning of an effort to increase the integration of genetic disease risks into routine medical care, which holds promise for providing Vermonters with valuable information to guide their health decisions

Vermont Business Magazine A dozen non-profit organizations were awarded grants from VEC’s member-supported Community Fund recently.

Grants supported literacy, public safety, and addiction treatment, among other needs.

The Community Fund is a program voluntarily funded by VEC members who round up their electric bills, from members’ donations to the fund of patronage capital dollars, as well as one-time donations. The fund makes grants to local organizations that support economic security, energy education, emergency and disaster relief, and community development.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Clean Energy Development Fund is highlighted in the newly released report, Returning Champions: State Clean Energy Leadership Since 2015, by the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA), a national, nonprofit coalition of state agencies and other public organizations. The report provides a comprehensive look at the ways in which states are advancing clean energy and suggests how to further encourage growth. The report highlights that Vermont’s strategic focus on advanced wood heating across state government is building support for wood heat throughout disparate governmental departments. Together, these agencies and departments are presenting a unified vision for the sustainable development of a long-term market that will support clean energy, forest health, economic development, and improved air quality.

Vermont Business Magazine Returning Champions: State Clean Energy Leadership Since 2015, a new report from the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA), highlights the essential role that states are playing to develop and implement effective policies and programs. The report describes the range of strategies and initiatives that states are using to grow clean energy markets, and it provides readers with a concise overview of clean energy trends at the state level.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) restored power to more than 115,000 customers after a damaging storm slammed the northeast on Halloween. A field force of 550 GMP line workers, out of state line workers, tree crews and assessors worked around the clock since Thursday night repairing severe line and pole damage and got the last customers back on Monday.

Vermont Business Magazine Trustees at Emerson and Marlboro Approve Intent to Pursue Strategic Alliance, Targeting Confirmation by July 1, 2020­­

by Jules Older Stuff for the small office/home office. And Planet Earth.

Vermont Business Magazine Sugarbush Resort has begun snowmaking for the 2019-20 winter season in anticipation of its scheduled Opening Day on Saturday, November 23. Snowmakers started making snow late last night at upper elevations of both mountains and plan to continue through the week with a string of cold temps in the forecast. When temps allow later this week, they’ll also begin blowing snow on Inverness at Mt. Ellen and several trails off the Gate House Quad at Lincoln Peak.

In a change from past snowmaking operations, Sugarbush will be focusing opening Gate House terrain before moving over to the Super Bravo side of the mountain, in order to get terrain for all abilities open earlier in the season. Pushover, Lower Pushover, Slow Poke, Sugarbear Road, and First Time are the first set of lower elevation trails where snowmaking will be focused.

Vermont Business Magazine Northfield Savings Bank understands the value of small business in Vermont and the role the SCORE organization plays in supporting that mission. In Vermont, SCORE provides business mentoring and educational workshops.

“The SCORE organization and their many volunteers provide valuable guidance and expertise to entrepreneurs and new businesses here in Vermont.  This is a very important service they provide and this is why we are glad to support them,” said Al Flory, Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at Northfield Savings Bank.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Information Technology Leaders Inc. (VITL) announced the appointment of Beth Anderson as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. During her four-and-a-half years with the City of Burlington, Beth served as the City’s first Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) and as the first woman Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).

As CIO, Beth implemented the City’s BTVStat initiative, working with all City departments to collect data to identify challenges, track progress, and control costs, and to promote accountability, learning, and collaboration. As CAO, Beth led two successful budget processes, which resulted in City budgets that continued historic investment in City assets while limiting taxpayer burdens. Her work to build back the City’s Unassigned Fund Balance, secure clean audits, and set new debt and pension policies played a major role in restoring the City’s Aa3 credit rating.