Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Community Bank N.A. recently presented a $1,000 donation to Pathways Vermont to support its fourth annual Community Table Dinner, held on Oct. 23 at Pathways Vermont Community Center in Burlington. More than 70 guests, including those in need, attended the free dinner, which featured farm-to-table produce and local products from Vermont farms and businesses.

Photo (left to right): Pathways Vermont Executive Director Hilary Melton, Community Bank N.A. Commercial Banking Officer David Blow and Pathways Vermont Development Director Patrick Gallagher.

Vermont Business Magazine If you are 22- 40 years old, The Vermont Futures Project and the Northeast Kingdom Young Professionals Network would like to learn your insights about Vermont's current economic challenges, your personal economic and work aspirations, and your recommendations on how to secure Vermont's future to be a great place to work, live and play. 

Photo: NEK YPN Members at an October Planning Retreat.

Vermont Business Magazine MVP Health Care today announced that beginning on January 1, 2020, families, individuals, and employers in Vermont will have access to new and innovative benefits that can improve their overall health and well-being. At the start of the new year, MVP’s members will have access to a no-cost Health Savings Account, on-demand telemedicine visits, low-cost prescription drugs, a national network of providers, and can earn up to a $600 through its WellBeing Rewards Program.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Public Service have launched EnergySaver.vermont.gov to provide resources, links and practical advice to help Vermonters save energy and money by heating and cooling their homes more efficiently.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is urging customers to stay away from downed lines after an overnight storm slammed the region. GMP crews worked through the night restoring power to more than 21,000 customers as the Halloween storm hit the Northeast with heavy rain and strong winds leaving about 800,000 customers without power region-wide and still climbing. GMP crews were positioned around the state to respond quickly and safely for customers, and GMP brought in nearly 100 line workers from Quebec, Massachusetts and Maine in advance of the storm to help. Forecasters say the strong winds will intensify and continue through this afternoon, and more outages are expected and widespread damage means restoration work could be slow going in some locations.

Vermont Business Magazine Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC) recently held a public ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch its new private nursing suite designed for breastfeeding or pumping by nursing mothers. The event, held in the Primary Care Clinic off the Main Lobby of Mt. Ascutney Hospital, introduced the Hospital staff and general public to the lactation pod, constructed by leading nursing suite manufacturer Mamava of Burlington, VT. The brightly decorated nursing suite provides a comfortable, friendly, private space for mothers and babies, with occupancy-activated lighting, two benches, a fold-down table, power outlet and USB port, plus ceiling vents and an exhaust fan for comfort.

Vermont Business Magazine VEC crews are out working to restore power across VEC territory after high winds hit the region overnight.  As of 5:30 a.m. this morning, over 1,600 VEC members in 26 different towns were without power.  Another more significant wind event is expected later this morning with up to 60 mph winds anticipated in some places.  New outages are expected.

Saturated ground, heavy rain, and high winds all combined to contribute to a significant number of outages all across the state.  Power restoration efforts are underway but will be slowed by downed trees and flooded roads. VEC is well prepared to restore power as soon as safely possible.  We have mutual aid crews lined up if needed and are prepared to offer assistance to other utilities when we are able.

VEC urges members who are without power to stay safe and keep the following in mind:

Vermont Business Magazine On October 31, 2019 the Federal Register published the interim final rule establishing a Domestic Hemp Production Program.  Upon its release, this interim final rule becomes effective for all states without hemp pilot programs.  Vermont continues to operate under its pilot program enabled under the 2014 Farm Bill. This interim rule represents the beginning of the development of the final rule that addresses testing and recordkeeping requirements, acceptable THC levels, crop disposal, and the general authority for states to obtain primary regulatory authority over hemp production.

Vermont Business Magazine  Norwich University will observe Veterans Day by conducting a Corps of Cadets review in honor of all veterans, past and present. The reviewing officer and guest speaker is Brigadier General John Lawlor, U.S. Army Reserve, Norwich Class (Master’s) of 2010, Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.

Honored guests at the event will include the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston, Massachusetts, the oldest chartered military organization in the western hemisphere, and will feature remarks by Captain Nicholas Schiarizzi, the 311th Captain Commanding.

Veterans, their guests, and community members are cordially invited to attend the Veterans Day Observance on the Upper Parade Ground at Norwich University on Friday, November 8, 2019, at 3:15 p.m.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Thursday that Vermont organizations will receive 10 grants totaling nearly $8.8 million from the U.S. Department of Justice to support crime victims and strengthen services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

The announcement comes as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month draws to a close. Leahy worked to introduce a Senate resolution this week “expressing the sense of the Senate that Congress should continue to support efforts to end domestic violence, provide safety for victims of domestic violence and their families, and hold perpetrators of domestic violence accountable.”

Vermont Business Magazine The new Quantitative Assay Apps from BioTek Instruments, Inc. provide convenience and simplicity for researchers performing four commonly used detection-based applications: absorbance-based BCA, Bradford, Lowry protein assays, and fluorescence-based DNA assays. These easy-to-use Apps are powered through Gen5™ Data Analysis Software and are compatible with BioTek microplate readers equipped with the relevant detection mode, including the popular Cytation™ and Synergy™ multi-mode readers.