Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Works for Women announces its 21st annual Women Can Do conference, taking place at Vermont Technical Center in Randolph on October 17, 2019.  Up to 500 high school girls from across the state will participate in dozens of hands-on activities designed to expose them to highly attainable careers considered non-traditional for women. These include jobs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and the skilled trades. Press is invited to make arrangements to visit Women Can Do at any point during the conference (8:30am – 2:30pm).

Vermont Business Magazine F-35s finally arrive in Vermont; Mary Powell to leave GMP, Mari McClure to become CEO Jan 1; GMCB holds hospital budgets under targets, total increase 4.3%; GMP rates increase 2.7 percent; Burlington International Airport awarded $15.9M for taxiway; General Fund taxes missed goals in August; Unemployment rate holds at 2.1 percent, labor force falls; Marlboro College and Bridgeport end merger discussions; and more...

Small Business Administration In February 2017, the two owners and co-founders of one of the most popular breweries in Vermont sold their business. It was significant news throughout Vermont because the brewery was not sold to an out-of-state entrepreneur or “Big Beer,” but to the employees. Bill Cherry and Jeff Neiblum sold 100 percent of Switchback Brewing Company to the Switchback employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Bennington Regional Chamber of Commerce will donate $1,000 in the name of Lindy Lynch to the local Cancer Center Community Crusaders. Lindy Lynch passed away in early August after a long battle with cancer. Before her passing, Lynch was chair of the Garlicfest, as the festival is otherwise known as, for the past 12 years.  Lindy is credited, along with her team of Garlicfest Captains, for growing the Garlicfest over 260% in those years. It is the main fundraiser and event for the Chamber.  Lindy also served on the board of directors for the Chamber and was a Past President of the board.

by Kathy Demars, RN, Executive Director, Lamoille Home Health and Hospice As September, National Suicide Prevention Month, has drawn to a close, I hope that we all carry the messages we’ve heard last month with us throughout the year. Suicide rates in the U.S. have grown by 20 percent in the last decade. They are at the highest level since 1942. Here in Vermont, the picture is even bleaker. Suicide rates in our state have increased by 73.1 percent since 1999.

Vermont Business Magazine St Michael’s Defense LLC in St Johnsbury, veteran-owned and operated by Christopher Haggett and Kenny Timson, has acquired 802traders LLC/Sirearms manufacturing owned by Shawn Straffin. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Vermont Business Magazine With regal marches and a hefty mace, a presidential medallion and the bright silks of regalia, all of the traditions of the academy, the University of Vermont formally installed Suresh Garimella as its 27th president on Thursday afternoon. Bagpipes and several speeches welcomed the new president, who took over the job from Tom Sullivan officially July 1. While Sullivan's seven-year tenure was marked by a $581 million fundraising campaign, expansion of the STEM program, business school and athletic facilities, Garimella has said often that the next crucial step in the university's growth will center on the individual student experience. He noted that this incoming class is the most academically qualified in the school's history, as were the four before it.

Vermont Business Magazine As part of their ongoing celebration of the Cabot Creamery Cooperative’s 100th year, more than 20 Cooperative member farms from across New England and Upstate New York will open their doors and welcome the public to visit their cows, learn about the farms and the people who work them, and give the community a chance to taste some of the World’s Best Cheddar. Fairmont Farm in East Montpelier, UVM Cream in Burlington, Foster Brothers Farm in Middlebury and Rupert Valley Holsteins in West Rupert will all be participating in Cabot’s Open Farm Sunday event.

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Electric Department invites Burlingtonians and other interested stakeholders to participate in the third annual Home Energy Tour on Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 10am to 1pm, featuring five energy efficient Burlington homes. This self-guided tour will offer inspiration on how to reduce home heating and cooling costs, while living comfortably, and give tour participants an opportunity to learn from Burlington home owners who are using solar, heat pump technology, and in-home energy devices plus weatherization to keep their homes warm in winter and cool in summer.

Vermont Business Magazine Dozens of the biggest and fastest-growing tech companies in Vermont will be hiring at the 13th Vermont Tech Jam. This annual free career and tech expo produced by Seven Days is on Thursday, October 17 from 9 am to 5 pm at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction. It’s one of the few times all of these companies come together under one roof to talk with job seekers and students and to discuss the innovative work they do.

Vermont Business Magazine In response to recent crashes in the work zone between Exits 16 and 17 on Interstate 89, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has added safety enhancements following a safety audit conducted this week in partnership with Vermont State Police (VSP).

“Safety is always a top priority, and our highway division experts were able to identify additional measures to improve safety in the Colchester work zone,” said Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn. “We appreciate the support and input from Vermont State Police to work together with a common goal of reducing crashes.”

Vermont Business Magazine A coalition of weatherization advocates gathered at the Aldrich Public Library in Barre Wednesday to publicly launch this year’s Button Up Vermont campaign, urging Vermonters to take steps to prepare their homes for winter to save money, increase comfort, and cut carbon.