Current News

Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund The Vermont food system plan issue brief on bees and honey describes the value of bees in the production of food crops, along with the various threats to managed and wild bee populations. Bees contribute upwards of $24 billion to the U.S. economy each year, and Vermont is home to 14,553 hives producing 727,650 lbs of honey annually. However, Vermont bee populations and beekeepers are facing challenges. Stressors resulting in bee population decline include pests and pathogens, habitat destruction, and the use of pesticides. Bee loss directly affects biodiversity, food security, and the agricultural economy. Protecting the future of bee populations is necessary to maintain the productivity of pollinators and their contribution to Vermont’s food system and economy.

Vermont Business Magazine For over 10 years, Global Partners LP (Global) has donated grants to local schools throughout New England, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland. These donations are through Global’s collaboration with ExxonMobil’s Educational Alliance Program. This year Global has committed $182,500 to 365 schools. The contribution will specifically help fund Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs. Global Partners has donated $3,500 to 7 schools to support student learning in Vermont.

by Jill Mazza Olson, Executive Director, VNAs of Vermont Late last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its annual proposed Medicare home health payment rule for calendar year 2023. The news is grim. CMS is proposing a substantial cut to Medicare home health services effective on January 1, 2023. The VNAs of Vermont estimate that in Vermont, the proposed rule will amount to a 6.9 percent cut to rural home health agencies in Vermont compared to 2022 rates. Those few agencies in Vermont that are considered “urban” will see a 6.3 percent cut.

Vermont State Police Following an investigation that began after a traffic stop early May 8, 2022, in the town of Essex, the Vermont State Police on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, issued a citation to Dylan LaMere, 30, of Essex on charges of negligent operation and false reports to law-enforcement authorities. LaMere is a trooper with the Vermont State Police assigned to the St. Albans Barracks.

Vermont Business Magazine TD Bank, with branches across Vermont, today announced that Don Baker has joined TD as the Vermont Commercial Market President. Baker succeeds Phil Daniels, who will be retiring later this year after 40 years with TD. Baker previously led KeyBank Vermont. There is no word yet on who will replace Baker.

Vermont Business Magazine In the past week, Becca Balint, candidate for Vermont’s At-Large Congressional seat, has received endorsements from over 60 Vermont elected officials, local leaders, AFT, Professional Firefighters, and the Vermont Building Trades Council. The seat is currently held by Peter Welch, who is running for the retiring Patrick Leahy's US Senate seat.

Vermont Business Magazine A reduction in the number of falls that multiple sclerosis patients experience could someday be among the outcomes of the University of Vermont’s participation in Medidata’s Sensor Cloud Network. UVM, along with eight other highly innovative organizations, is joining the Sensor Cloud Network as part of Medidata’s rapidly expanding approach to patient care. This is part of the first cross-sector collaboration focused on solving the challenges related to sensor integrations, standardization of sensor data, and the development of novel digital biomarkers and algorithms. These will help to create new digital endpoints that could translate into more effective treatments and better healthcare for patients. Fall risk detection is just one of many potential applications.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) Wednesday on the floor of the US Senate called for the USICA conference committee to not approve the billions in corporate giveaways slated for a handful of wealthy and powerful microchip companies, including a $10 billion bailout for Jeff Bezos to fly to the moon. "At a time of massive income and wealth inequality, the American people are sick and they are tired of the unprecedented level of corporate greed that is taking place from one end of this country to the next. They are sick and tired of paying outrageously high prices at the gas pump and at the grocery store while the oil companies and the food companies are seeing profits at an all-time high."

VermontBiz Jon Gordon authored the book The Power of Positive Leadership and has spoken before hundreds of organizations about the value and principles of positive leadership, yet he readily admits he is not a positive person by nature. It takes work to become a more positive person, Gordon says, and that work needs to start at the beginning of every day.

“You can either rise and shine or rise and whine,” Gordon said. “What kind of day do you want to have?”

Gordon shared his insights into how to become a positive force in the workplace in the July episode of the 21st Century Business Forum, a monthly webcast that features one-on-one interviews with some of the nation’s most prominent business minds and thought leaders.

Vermont Business Magazine Strong financial performance contributed to a rating upgrade from Aa2 to Aa1 for Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA)'s multiple purpose social bonds from Moody's Investor Service last week. Aa1 is the second highest possible rating from Moody’s. The rating applies to all outstanding long-term debt under the multiple purpose program and should help lower the cost of affordable housing financing through VHFA. Vermonter investors can purchase VHFA bonds during a sale scheduled for Tuesday of this week.

Vermont Business Magazine Two Vermont startups have been selected to participate in a competitive global accelerator program that connects promising early-stage companies with support, mentoring, free services and the chance to compete for cash prizes. MassChallenge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, announced invitations to 250 startups from 28 countries representing 42 industries to participate in the 2022 US early stage program. Among them were Shiki Wrap and Pictal Health, two new Vermont-based businesses. Last year, Vermont’s SheFly Apparel won the coveted $100,000 MassChallenge grand prize.

Vermont Business Magazine Starting July 16, Vermont is launching the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Callers will be immediately connected to compassionate, caring counselors who are trained to provide support for individuals experiencing everything from emotional distress to a mental health crisis. While they are trained to treat and address suicidality, it is not only for those individuals in crisis. The 9-8-8 Lifeline is also not only for those experiencing challenges with their own mental health. If you are the family member, loved one or friend of someone whom you believe might need help, counselors are trained and ready to answer your call. Beginning July 16, people can access the Lifeline by calling 9-8-8. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.