Current News

VermontBiz Union Mutual Insurance Company announced today that it was recently named one of the 2024 Best Places to Work in Vermont. This is the 11th consecutive year that the Company has received this award, which is based in part on anonymous employee surveys.

“We are especially honored to receive this designation this year, since it is the Company’s 150th year of operation,” Union Mutual President & CEO Lisa Keysar said. “We are proud to be recognized as an engaging, supportive, inclusive employer, and we know that we would not be in this position without the dedication and hard work of all of our employees. Thanks to each and every employee for all that they do to make Union Mutual one of the Best Places to Work in Vermont.”

VermontBiz Efforts to address the local impact of a nationwide workforce shortage in health care will get a boost from two new, transformative nursing programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing degrees.

A collaboration between UVM Health Network, Norwich University and Vermont State University, supported by $1.5 million in grant funding from the federal government and Vermont Agency of Human Services, these programs target the nursing shortage on two fronts: the immediate need for bedside nurses and the shortage of faculty to provide clinical instruction to prospective nursing students.

VermontBiz Average gasoline prices in Burlington have risen 4.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.40/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 100 stations in Burlington. Prices in Burlington are 16.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 5.6 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has declined 2.9 cents in the last week and stands at $3.99 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Burlington was priced at $3.18/g yesterday while the most expensive was $3.79/g, a difference of 61.0 cents per gallon. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.18/g while the highest was $3.79/g, a difference of 61.0 cents per gallon.

VermontBiz The Farm Agronomic Practices Program (FAP) utilizes state funding to help Vermont farms implement soil-based agronomic practices that:

• improve soil quality
• increase crop production
• reduce erosion and agricultural waste discharges

The FAP program also provides education and instructional activity grants to support outreach regarding the impacts of agricultural practices on water quality and current state agricultural water quality regulations. 

by Joyce Marcel, Vermont Business Magazine It is remarkable that during her 18 years on the senior management team of the Vermont Federal Credit Union, Jean Giard, now its president and CEO, helped grow the institution from $160 million to its current size of more than $900 million in assets. And it is still growing. How did she do it? It’s all about company culture, Giard said. “Our staff are the reason we’re growing,” Giard said. “They are the front line. They’re the ones who interact with our membership. They have the relationships, and they do a fantastic job of serving our members and helping them with their financial needs. My team and I have really worked hard to improve our culture.” Giard recited management consultant Peter Drucker’s famous phrase, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”

VermontBiz by Timothy McQuiston Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger and CityPlace Partners expressed confidence last month that the CityPlace mixed-use housing development in downtown Burlington is on pace to be completed by its target date of summer 2026. The estimated $200 million project, which will occupy what was the center section of the former Burlington Square Mall, will comprise a minimum 350 residential apartments, including 70 permanently affordable units; two hotels, providing a maximum total of 350 guest rooms; 40,000 square feet of retail space; and 172,000 square feet of parking.

VermontBiz by CB Hall On March 27, more than 100 participants will gather at the Hilton hotel on Burlington’s lakefront for a seminar on the status of captive insurance in Vermont. This program, which its sponsor, the Vermont Captive Insurance Association, has dubbed its “original captive roadshow,” will feature a panel of nine, including two executives from Vermont enterprises that rely on captive insurance to manage their risks.

Vermont Business Magazine Board Members and presenters will participate remotely through Microsoft Teams. Members of the public can attend board meetings by using the links or call-in phone numbers listed below: April 1, Executive Session: AHEAD Model; Wednesday, April 03, 2024: Board Meeting (1:00 pm), MVP New Non-Standard Gold IV Plan - Potential Vote; Copley Mid-Year Budget Modification Request - Potential Vote; Wednesday, April 10, 2024: Board Meeting (1:00 pm), Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care (VPQHC) presentation: Vermont Hospital Quality Landscape; Wednesday, April 17, 2024: Board Meeting (9:00 am), OneCare Vermont FY24 Revised Budget Hearing; Wednesday, April 17, 2024: Board Meeting (1:00 PM), AHEAD Model Update.

Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Berkshire Bank, is proud to announce the co-sponsorship of the third annual Women In Leadership Luncheon by Project Against Violent Encounters (PAVE). Scheduled to take place at the historic Carriage Barn of Park McCullough in North Bennington, Vermont, on Wednesday, May 15th, from 12pm to 3pm, this event aims to celebrate and empower women leaders while raising awareness about domestic and sexual violence in Bennington County. PAVE, a non-profit agency dedicated to providing free and confidential services to those affected by domestic and sexual violence, is committed to ending violence and offering supportive and educational services to individuals, families, and the community. With their mission aligned with the goals of the Women In Leadership Luncheon, their co-sponsorship strengthens the event's impact and outreach, ensuring that vital resources and support are available to survivors of violence. 

Vermont Business Magazine GlobalFoundries (GF) recently partnered with The Governor's Institute of Vermont (GIV) to host a One Day Adventure: Engineering the Solution at GF's Essex Junction facility. During the event, students experienced the world of engineering at GF with an inside look into real engineering situations through hands-on activities, analytical problem-solving, and opportunities to collaborate. At GIV, students learn from industry professionals, participate in hands-on projects, and explore career options - all while having fun and making friends! Following a welcome from Director of Fab 9 Operations Jean Blunt, students opened the day with a hands-on LED Helicopter activity, followed by a GaN case study presentation by GF team members. 

Vermont Business Magazine WhistlePig Whiskey, the leader in independent craft whiskey based in Shoreham, on March 22 announced their national partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol. WhistlePig’s range of ultra-premium and luxury whiskeys will be exclusive with Southern Glazer’s in 40 markets nationwide. WhistlePig Whiskey challenges American whiskey with world’s firsts, crafted by a new generation of whiskey makers. From revolutionizing Rye Whiskey with the category’s biggest age statements and boldest barrel aging journeys, to launching groundbreaking Bourbon and Single Malt releases, WhistlePig’s boundary pushing style stands apart.

VermontBiz The Vermont State Legislature recently passed a House Concurrent Resolution honoring the late Doc Martin ’20. Coinciding with the anniversary of his passing, the resolution was read aloud from the State House chamber and then delivered to Norwich University by Representative Anne Donahue (Northfield). “I’m so thrilled that we are able to honor Doc in this way,” said Donahue. “He exemplifies many of the reasons we are so proud to have Norwich in our community and in our state.” Representative Ken Goslant (Northfield) added, “I have been excited to see our members of the State House and Senate unite in an across-the-aisle tribute to Doc Martin. He has set a benchmark with his achievements, inspires us continually with his significant contributions, and is a wonderful example of the influence Norwich graduates have had on our country.”