Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Americans waste nearly a pound of food per person each day, but the exact amount of food we trash differs by how healthy your diet is, a new University of Vermont co-authored national study finds. While most people want to eat better by putting more fruit and vegetables on their plates, the study found that higher quality diets were associated with higher levels of food waste. Between 2007-2014, US consumers wasted nearly 150,000 tons of food per day – nearly a pound (422 grams) of food per person each day. Researchers estimate that food waste corresponded with the use of 30 million acres of land annually (7 percent of total US cropland) and 4.2 trillion gallons of irrigation water each year.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Foodbank announced the lineup of workshops for their annual Hunger Action Conference to be held on Friday, May 4th at Killington Grand Resort. The Hunger Action Conference is a full-day educational event that will provide more than 300 attendees from the mission-driven and charitable food sectors with training regarding poverty and hunger, food systems, health, and best practices to help them positively impact those most in need in their communities.

This year’s conference will focus on diversity and inclusion. “The work of ensuring that all Vermonters have access to high quality, nutritious food is an important step toward a more equitable society,” says Vermont Foodbank, CEO John Sayles. “And to truly live those values, it is important that we all embrace diversity and inclusion in this work –both through our interactions within our organizations and with those we serve.”

MEMIC is accepting applications for its Harvey Picker Horizon Scholarship Program for children and spouses of workers who have been seriously injured on the job. MEMIC has awarded $155,000 in scholarships since 2001.

As one of the fastest growing workers’ compensation insurers on the Eastern Seaboard, MEMIC recognizes that although workers’ compensation insurance covers medical treatment and replaces a percentage of lost wages, it cannot eliminate entirely the stress and strain that an injury can cause a family.

Vermont Business Magazine On Monday, 16 April 2018, the RuralEdge (RE) Board of Directors approved the decision to close Scenic View Community Housing, in Westfield, Vermont, because RE can no longer afford to keep the facility operating. RuralEdge announced the decision in a statement issued today.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development announced Tuesday that four Bennington County businesses have been awarded a total of $631,182 in Vermont Training Program Grants from the Department of Economic Development this fiscal year to train more than 675 employees. The grants provide training that leads to improved skill sets and wage increases for upwards of 615 existing employees, and support training for up to 60 new hires.

Vermont Business Magazine The American Lung Association’s 2018 “State of the Air” report found that the Burlington-South Burlington metro area to be the only city in the Northeast to be ranked on all three Cleanest City lists for Ozone pollution, for year-round particle pollution and for short-term particle pollution, based on data from 2014-2016. Compared to the 2017 report, all three reporting counties in the state of Vermont, Bennington, Chittenden and Rutland maintained low levels of ozone and short-term particle pollution while slightly improving exposure to year-round particle pollution.

Vermont Business Magazine A brewing company in Essex Junction has been named the 2018 Vermont Veteran-Owned Business of the Year. Kevin Jarvis and Shawn Trout, owners of 1st Republic Brewing Company, are being recognized by the US Small Business Administration for rapid growth, financial success and community involvement.

Vermont Buisness Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger today announced changes in three City leadership positions: the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Chief Innovation Officer (CIO), and the Chief of Staff. The Mayor appointed Beth Anderson the CAO, named former Chief of Staff Brian Lowe the Acting CIO, and appointed Jordan Redell to serve as his new Chief of Staff.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Federation of Sportsman’s Clubs joined a group of Vermont citizens, sporting-goods stores, and shooting clubs in filing a lawsuit, today, challenging the state’s recently enacted ban on the possession of certain commonly owned firearm magazines.

by Representative Heidi E Scheuermann (R-Stowe) Approximately one year ago, I informed you through a similar email of a proposal that had passed the Vermont Senate Finance Committee to institute a $2 per room, per night Occupancy Fee on all of our state's visitor room nights to fund a Workforce and Supportive Housing Fund.

Vermont Business Magazine Manufacturing Solutions, Inc. (MSI) has been accepted into the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI) program by the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development. MSI received support and assistance throughout the process from the Lamoille Economic Development Corporation. This incentive will support the company’s plans to expand space and improve tooling, resulting in new and improved jobs.

Vermont Business Magazine Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today released its Outdoor Recreation Economy report for Vermont, the first report of its kind that comprehensively captures the power of a vast multi-billion dollar economic engine in communities and across the nation. Every year, Vermont residents alone spend $1.51 billion on outdoor recreation, and at least 128 outdoor companies call the district home. Including the vast number of tourists coming to the state, Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy generates $5.5 billion in annual consumer spending and supports 51,000 jobs. The report states that the industry provides $1.5 billion in wages and $505 million in state and local tax revenue.