Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has conditionally awarded funds to Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District (CVSWMD) to wrap the district’s box truck with messaging around recycling and composting in support of Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law (ACT 148). The $3,250 grant, issued by the ANR’s Department of Environmental Conservation, is intended to help “educate and build public awareness of these requirements and emphasize the importance of recycling and organics diversion.”

CVSWMD will use the grant to pay for a portion of the costs to cover the district’s box truck with a street-art style graphics designed by U-32 students Jake and Josh Ehret. The truck is on the road several days of the week within CVSWMD’s 19 member towns.

Vermont Business Magazine Castleton University announced a series of updates Thursday as part of its ongoing process to align its budget with current and future enrollment trends. The plan currently being implemented is a result of a four-month-long collaborative, exhaustive, and transparent approach to an organizational restructure that has identified cost-savings opportunities and growth initiatives. The restructuring, which was announced in February in response to a 3 percent operating deficit due to a decline in its traditional first-year student enrollment, seeks to align the university’s operating budget with the enrollment realities faced by colleges and universities across the country. The process was focused on enhancing the student experience, strengthening and expanding academic offerings, and positioning the University for sustainable growth into the future.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC), based in Brattleboro, has announced the award of a grant in support of efforts to become a certified electronics recycler to Sadoff E-Recycling & Data Destruction of Omaha, Nebraska. The grant, which was funded by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), will allow Sadoff to become the second recycler in Omaha to be certified to the R2 Standard, and only the third in Nebraska.

“We are excited to receive this grant as it allows us to achieve certification to the R2 standard, this achievement will allow us to grow our business in Nebraska which will result in a greater positive environmental impact for the safe and secure recycling of electronics throughout the state and region” said Markus McDonell, Quality & Management Systems Manager, Sadoff E-Recycling & Data Destruction.

by Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts, ANR Secretary Julie Moore and Commerce Secretary Mike Schirling From Vermont’s inception, freedom and unity have spurred innovation. John Deere invented the tractor. Ben and Jerry created world-class ice cream. Environmental leaders like George Perkins Marsh defined conservation. The state’s rich history highlights how Vermonters and their values have led the way. Innovation continues today. Farmers are working with engineers, scientists and researchers on projects that improve the environment while improving their finances. Biodigesters transform manure to electricity. Perennial plants and grasses transform bare soils into buffers to protect rivers, and lasers help milk cows.

Green Mountain Grain & Barrel producing locally-sourced, locally-made oak barrels.

by Christine McGowan Woodworkers by hobby and Vermont National Guardsmen by training, Tony Fletcher, Josh Waterhouse and Mac Broich are finding their niche as coopers for Vermont’s craft spirits industry. Green Mountain Grain & Barrel was founded in 2016 with a simple goal: to be the sole producer of barrels for Vermont distilleries, wineries and breweries.

Vermont Business Magazine Granite Air Center, Inc in Lebanon, NH, is partnering with Norwich Solar Technologies of White River Junction, Vermont, to install a 218.1-kilowatt DC, Net-Metered Photovoltaic (PV) System on the main hangar rooftop at their facility, and is the largest solar array in the City of Lebanon to date. Completed in early May 2018, the solar array will provide Granite Air long-term energy cost reduction and stability through the integration of clean, renewable solar electricity.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Electric Co-op (VEC) held its annual meeting Saturday, May 12 at Smugglers’ Notch Resort, and members elected directors to the board, heard updates from VEC staff, checked out a vendor showcase, and marked VEC’s 80th year, among other things. Approximately 200 members attended.

Vermont Business Magazine AllEarth Renewables wishes to congratulate all of the participants in the recent Vermont Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fair, and to announce the winners of the event’s AllEarth Renewables special awards. Held on March 24^th at Norwich University, the 59^th annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Fair showcased the work of Vermont public, private and homeschooled students in grades 5-12 who have won local science and math fair competitions. The students displayed projects that tackle questions and pose solutions arising from the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.AllEarth Renewables sponsored awards for the best high school project in either solar or wind renewable energy.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont announced today that it has reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement with its faculty union, United Academics. The agreement is subject to approval by the UVM Board of Trustees and ratification by the union’s membership.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Senate Wednesday afternoon, in a vote of 52-47, passed a measure to restore net neutrality rules to prevent Internet Service Providers and Cable Companies from imposing paid prioritizations schemes, or from blocking or throttling certain websites. The Congressional Review Act Resolution, cosponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), now heads to the House of Representatives to be voted on. Leahy earlier brought the Senate Judiciary Committee to Vermont for a hearing to listen to Vermonters’ reasons for supporting net neutrality.

Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)

On Consideration of S.J.Res. 52
To Restore Net Neutrality Rules

May 16, 2018

Vermont Business Magazine PC Construction, among the nation’s largest employee-owned construction companies, has announced that longtime leader Jay Fayette has been named president of the company. Fayette has been with PC Construction for 22 years and has more than 38 years’ experience in the building and infrastructure industries. PC has also named seasoned construction executive David Crawford as Chairman and CEO of the company. Crawford brings nearly 50 years of experience in construction, including eight years as CEO of Sundt Construction, where he led the company through a transition to employee ownership. Crawford has served on the PC Construction Board since 2017 and previously chaired the board of the Design-Build Institute of America.

PC is Vermont's largest construction firm with $600 million in annual revenues, according to VBM's Vermont 100+.

Vermont Business Magazine Sanel Auto Parts, Co has announced that the company is joining NAPA AUTO PARTS. Under its new name, Sanel NAPA, the company will continue to be independently owned and operated by the Segal family, the fourth generation to lead the company. Sanel is based in New Hampshire with stores in Vermont. Sanel NAPA will be purchasing eight additional NAPA stores, three in New Hampshire, four in Maine and one in Massachusetts. By joining NAPA, Sanel will be able to provide increased inventory in stores, enhanced access to more products and parts, and faster supply chain logistics to deliver more efficiently at competitive prices. Sanel NAPA will now be a single source for more than 525,000 quality parts, sourcing products and services from over 1,600 manufacturers from multiple distribution centers, with improved retail and wholesale merchandising programs to meet the multiple needs of customers.