Current News

Vermont Business Magazine JPMorgan Chase today announced that it is now able to accept government deposits in all 50 US states. This milestone is significant because most states require or encourage banks to have a local branch presence to be eligible to receive or hold government deposits in the state, often described as a qualified public depository. As the only bank to achieve this status today, JPMorgan Chase is expanding its banking services to new states and municipalities, improving accessibility to innovative and secure financial solutions that help public entities operate more efficiently and dedicate more resources to serving their communities. This announcement signifies the completion of a multi-year, collaborative effort to expand the firm’s services to the public sector and reach new markets across the country, including Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Saint Michael’s College cupola – the most recognizable symbol used to represent the school – has returned to campus today to be placed upon a new pedestal. Construction on the cupola’s new site began in September and is ongoing. The cupola formerly adorned Founders Hall, the oldest building on campus, for more than a century before the building was taken down in May 2021. After considerable study, the College had determined that bringing Founders Hall up to modern standards would be too costly. The cupola, however, was able to be saved.  

Vermont Business Magazine ABC Supply Co. Inc, the nation’s largest wholesale distributor of roofing, siding and other select exterior and interior building products, has acquired the United States distribution business of Kaycan, a leading manufacturer and distributor of siding and other products, from Saint-Gobain. This includes the location in Williston on Boyer Circle, behind the FedEx facility. ABC Supply has an existing Williston facility off Williston Road behind Vermont Paint. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT), along with its tri-state partners in New Hampshire and Maine, today announced the launch of a more user-friendly and greatly enhanced New England 511 website that will enable travelers to plan better for trips in the region. The improved website works well on smart phones and features new functions such as customizable text and email alerts for specific roads and counties. In addition to searching the website’s map for areas with traffic congestion or active construction, users can now search for EV charging stations, view updated road conditions this winter during weather events, and more.

by Anore Horton & John Sayles September 28 marked the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in more than 50 years. Elected officials, people who have experienced hunger, advocates, non-profits, and private-sector leaders came together to discuss solutions to the ongoing injustice of hunger. Far too many in our country know the experience of not having enough food, including many neighbors here in Vermont. Important advancements came from the first conference of this kind, held in 1969, including changes to food and nutrition policy, major expansions of what is now called SNAP/3SquaresVT and School Lunch Program, and the creation of the Supplemental Feeding Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC).

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) recently approved a $9.1 million grant to Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom (WCVT), in partnership with Maple Broadband, to expand fiber-optic broadband in parts of Addison, Bridport, Ferrisburgh, New Haven, Panton, Waltham, and Weybridge. The source of the grant funding is the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This project will extend WCVT’s fiber-to-the-home network to approximately 2,000 additional customers in parts of Addison County in the Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom service area. The network is capable of delivering broadband speeds of up to 1 Gigabyte.

by Heidi Mohlman Tringe and Dennise Casey Working for an elected official is a tremendous honor. Each of us wore many hats and had different responsibilities in public service, including Deputy Chief of Staff, Communications Director, Deputy Press Secretary, Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs, and DC Director. During our time in public service, we were lucky to be part of a team of people with diverse views and life experiences and an office culture that encouraged discussion and debate. It shaped our lives and careers in many ways, and we are increasingly grateful for the opportunity to serve our great state. We worked hard, make no mistake, but our public service also propelled us onto non-profit boards and statewide leadership positions. It gave us privilege and afforded us opportunity. And we feel an ongoing obligation to give back.

Vermont Business Magazine The next guest on Medical Matters Weekly is Mariella Filbin, MD, PhD, a leading researcher working to find a cure to children’s brain tumors. The show airs on Facebook Live at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19.

The show is produced by Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) with cooperation from Catamount Access Television (CAT-TV). Viewers can view on facebook.com/svmedicalcenter and facebook.com/CATTVBennington. The show is also available to view or download as a podcast on svhealthcare.org/medicalmatters.

Vermont Business Magazine Friends and partners of Green Mountain United Way celebrated at the Barre Opera House in person for the first time in three years on October 6. Led by Executive Director, Tawnya Kristen, on the Opera House stage, nine awards were given to community members to honor their contribution to Green Mountain United Way and the communities they serve.