Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of MITI Manufacturing Company’s new facility in the Fairbanks Scales building in Saint Johnsbury. MITI (a division of Montreal-based firm, Sekurcorp) manufactures parking enforcement devices and portable decontamination showers.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) announced today the adoption and implementation of new Employment Security Board Rules (Rules) that establish the Unemployment Insurance Division’s appeals process pertaining to misclassification findings, debarment decisions, and penalties. The new rules go into effect October 1, 2019; however, the Department will not begin to issue penalties or debarment decisions until November 1, 2019.

Additionally, the Department of Labor is announcing the creation of a short-term, no-risk review that will allow employers to request a review of their wage reporting practices without penalty. This program will be in effect between October 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020.  Employers interested in taking advantage of this program may contact the Department at https://labor.vermont.gov/unemployment-insurance.

Vermont Business Magazine Leading specialty food producer Stonewall Kitchen, based in York, ME, announced that it has completed its previously-announced acquisition of the Barre-based Vermont Village brand of Organic Apple Sauces and Apple Cider Vinegar products. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the allocation of $2.8 million in state tax credits for 24 projects statewide, supporting over $40 million in downtown and village center and rehabilitation projects. In 2019, tax credits will offset the costs of major investments to support projects in 14 Vermont communities.

Vermont Business Magazine ASGARD Partners & Co, a private equity firm based in New York, and Merit Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in Chicago, have partnered to acquire the eyewear business of Vermont-based Revision Military Limited, the world leader in protective eyewear solutions for military and tactical use. The transaction includes the sale of the protective eyewear product line, the world-renowned Revision name and branding, the Essex, Vermont, 53,000-square-foot manufacturing operation, and team of 130 employees. Under the guidance of ASGARD, the newly separated Revision eyewear business will continue day-to-day operations with its key management and existing manufacturing team. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Vermont Business Magazine October is employee ownership month. Employee-owned Vermont businesses will join forces for a second year in a row to raise funds for The Vermont Food Bank, which helps provide nutritious food to Vermonters in need. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Peck Company Holdings, Inc (NasdaqCM:PECK), a leading commercial solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company based in South Burlington, announced Tuesday that it has engaged two complementary financing strategies to support its planned growth.

Peck has entered into agreements with NBT Bank, N.A. with branches in Vermont (NasdaqGS:NBTB), which will provide a short-term working capital line of credit and construction loans while also re-financing long-term debt on company-owned solar arrays.

Peck has also entered into a common stock purchase agreement and registration rights agreement with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC, a Chicago-based institutional investor, pursuant to which the company has the right, in its sole discretion, to sell to LPC up to $15 million worth of shares over a 24-month period.

Vermont Business Magazine Today the State of Vermont received a decision from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in response to the state’s September 4, 2018 administrative appeal. The decision upholds the July 3, 2018, Notice of Termination.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Education Child Nutrition Programs announced today its policy for free or reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP), the NSLP Afterschool Snack Service, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The income guidelines are effective from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020. The following household size and income guidelines will be used to determine eligibility:

Free Meals Income Eligibility Guidelines

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Killington Resort has announced the entertainment lineup for the Homelight Killington Cup. Taking place November 29-December 1, the World Cup will once again bring the best women’s technical alpine skiers in the world together with engaging music concerts, movie screenings and more. Killington will host free concerts throughout the weekend featuring Grace Potter, Recycled Percussion, Twiddle and DJ Logic. Headliner, Grace Potter, and Sunday’s act, Twiddle, both hail from the Green Mountain state. 

Vermont Business Magazine Fenwick Brands, a private equity fund focused on providing capital and strategic guidance to emerging brands, has led a $5 million growth financing round for Ursa Major, a pioneer brand in the clean skincare market. Other investors in the financing include Finn Capital Partners and several family offices active in the personal care market. This is the Company's first round of institutional capital.

Ursa Major, a pioneer brand in the clean skincare market, raises $5 million in growth equity financing led by Fenwick Brands.

Vermont Business Magazine Bill Orleans, president of PP&D Brochure Distribution, has announced the hiring of Amanda Brooks as the new manager of the PP&D Call Center and Fulfillment Program. She was recently employed by Gardener’s Supply Company and is a graduate of St Lawrence University. Recently operated by Maxham Warehousing of Worcester, Vermont, PP&D assumed this state contract last year at that site. They have now moved this program to their Pine Street Burlington location.

Current clients include 1-800-Vermont - Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, Vermont Historic Sites, and Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Amanda Brooks