Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Michael Kennedy has been selected to receive the prestigious 2022 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Second Circuit. Chief Judge Debra Ann Livingston of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will present the award to Kennedy later this fall. Known as the “ethics guru” of Vermont, Kennedy has been bar counsel for the state’s Professional Responsibility Program since 2012. As bar counsel, Kennedy advises attorneys on issues related to legal ethics and Vermont’s Rules of Professional Conduct. He also screens disciplinary complaints and administers the program for resolving complaints via nondisciplinary dispute resolution methods. He teaches continuing legal education seminars on legal ethics and professional responsibility, which often incorporate trivia quizzes. He produces a popular legal ethics quiz in blog format each week.

by Alison Whritenour, Donna Carpenter & Matthew McCarthy The right to choose is a moral and economic imperative; Vermont businesses cannot be silent. As business leaders, we consider a person’s right to choose to be not only a moral imperative but an economic one as well. In short, a Vermonter who can make decisions about their own reproductive health care, including whether to become pregnant, use birth control, or seek abortion care, is a Vermonter with a firm grip on the reins of their financial future.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce hosted a new event, entitled The Wellspring Forum, to capitalize on the historic election cycle and further the advocacy organization’s commitment to growing the business community and the Vermont economy. US House Candidate Becca Balint and State Treasurer Candidate Mike Pieciak spoke directly to the Vermont Chamber Board of Directors and other leaders of the Vermont business community in a series of bilateral conversations moderated by Vermont Chamber President, Betsy Bishop.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Patrick Leahy is pleased to announce the lineup of workshops and presenters for the 25th Annual Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference (WEOC) on Saturday, October 1 at the Vermont Technical College campus in Randolph. “Every year the WEOC organizing committee does an exemplary job of bringing in experts who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise, at no cost, with Vermonters. It’s an opportunity for attendees to improve their skills, learn about alternative careers, or gather information on starting or growing their business. Every year, we hear from attendees who came away inspired. Marcelle and I are pleased to announce this year’s list of workshops and presentations,” Leahy said.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointments of a chair and two members to the Green Mountain Care Board. Owen Foster, of Jericho, has been appointed chair, and Dr David Murman, of Waterbury, and Robin Lunge, of Berlin, will serve as members on the five-member board. Among its duties, the GMCB is the regulatory body for hospitals and health insurers. The GMCB is expected to release hospital budget approvals this month.

Vermont Business Magazine VEDA (Vermont Economic Development Authority) will open up applications for their Short Term Forgivable Loan Program on September 15, 2022. The VEDA Short Term Forgivable Program will provide financial assistance to businesses that continue to experience current and ongoing harm due to COVID-19 pandemic. Similar to the PPP loans of 2020, this program will offer 100% forgiveness of loans for funds used towards approved expenses which include but are not limited to payroll, utilities, loan interest, and rent.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont have fallen 10 cents to back under $4 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. The average price today is $3.90, which is 50 cents less than a month ago and 83 cents more than last year. The lowest price in the state is in Troy ($3.47/g) and the highest price is in Killington ($4.59). Gasoline prices in Vermont have also started to close the gap with the average national price, which has fallen 8 cents in the last week to $3.72/g. State and national prices had been running about the same until the beginning of summer.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) Thursday introduced the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act to begin the process of possibly designating segments of these waterways as part of the National Wild and Scenic River system. Vermont Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vermont) introduced companion legislation in the US House of Representatives. Nulhegan River emanates from Nulhegan Pond in Brighton in Essex County and is a tributary of the Connecticut River.

Vermont Business Magazine Following a national search, The University of Vermont Health Network today named Sunil “Sunny” Eappen, MD, MBA, as the health system’s next President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr Eappen, who comes from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, part of the Mass General Brigham network, will lead the organization forward in the next phase of its evolution into a more integrated and equitable health system. He will be responsible for oversight of all operations, including the flagship academic medical center, five community hospitals, children’s hospital, multi-specialty physicians group, and home health and hospice agency. His appointment will be effective November 28, 2022, and he will succeed John R Brumsted, MD, who is retiring after leading the health system for more than 10 years.

Vermont Business Magazine Michael Goldberg, the court-appointed receiver for Jay Peak Resort, announced September 8 that the original bidder, Pacific Group Resorts, Inc (PGRI), has made the highest and best final bid of $76 million to buy Jay Peak following an auction with multiple bidders on September 7. PGRI’s initial stalking horse bid was $58 million. The other bidders were not named. The prevailing bid remains subject to approval by the United States District Court in Southern Florida during a final hearing tentatively scheduled for September 16, 2022.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) is thrilled to present the 2022 Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership to Zoe Richards, Chair of the Burlington Conservation Board and Director of Burlington Wildways, in recognition of her dedication to preserving and expanding access to Burlington’s natural resources and wild spaces. VNRC and Jens Hilke of the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife will co-present the award to Zoe at VNRC’s Annual Meeting at Hula in Burlington, on Thursday, September 22nd.