Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 331 cases of COVID-19 for Thursday (341 Wednesday, 332 Tuesday,151 Monday, 150 Sunday, 261 Saturday, 313 Friday, 263 Thursday, and 327 Wednesday.) The VDH reported three additional deaths, for 629 statewide. April, with 8 to date, but is still on track to have the fewest COVID-related fatalities since last July. Hospitalizations have been elevated in April and today were 57 (up 7).

Vermont Business Magazine Ledyard Financial Group (Ticker Symbol: LFGP) announced a regular quarterly dividend of $0.21 payable May 27, 2022, to shareholders of record as of May 13, 2022. Ledyard Financial Group, Inc., headquartered in Hanover, New Hampshire, is the holding company for Ledyard National Bank. Ledyard National Bank, founded in 1991, is a full service community bank offering a broad range of banking, investment, and wealth management services.

Vermont Business Magazine As part of its Earth Day celebrations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) New England regional office is now accepting nominations to recognize New England people, organizations, government entities or businesses for environmental achievements during the past year. EPA New England will accept nominations for the 2022 Environmental Merit Awards until Monday, May 16, 2022.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Senate has approved an $8 billion budget that includes a significant investment for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) in public power communities. The budget passed the Senate on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. In March, House lawmakers recognized a need for AMI funding for municipal and cooperative electric utilities. The House passed its version of the budget bill with $5 million in one-time funding from the General Fund appropriated to AMI. The Senate Appropriations Committee then provided unanimous support for an additional $3 million in funding, for a total $8 million towards the affordable, equitable implementation of AMI in Vermont’s rural communities.

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center will host a job fair on Wednesday, April 27 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the McClure Gymnasium located at 1138 Pine St. in Burlington. We have a variety of positions available in several departments including facilities, school programs, residential, long-term supports and services, information management, crisis, and more. Visitors who attend the job fair will have the opportunity to talk with Howard Center’s experienced staff, learn first-hand about our organization’s unique and rewarding career opportunities, and win raffle prizes for stopping by the event.

​Vermont Business Magazine In celebration of Earth Day (today, April 22) and to encourage more Vermonters to take steps to use less energy in their homes, Efficiency Vermont is offering free Energy Savings Kits to its customers. Energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The kits contain easy-to-install energy saving measures, and for a limited time also include wildflower seed packets from American Meadows for customers to support pollinator habitat around their homes.

Vermont Business Magazine Peregrine Design/Build is excited to announce that Jillian Bartolo and Griffin Allen, two long-time employees, will be taking over ownership of the company upon Tim Frost’s retirement in 2024. Collectively, Jillian and Griffin bring 20+ years of design & construction experience to this leadership role. For over 32 years, Tim has instilled a strong, family-like culture at Peregrine that is upheld by its dedicated, long-time employees. With such a solid personnel foundation, Tim knew it was important that this new leadership come from within the company.

by Frederick Weston Two years ago, Vermont adopted the Global Warming Solutions Act and committed to reducing our carbon emissions 80% by 2050. The Act isn’t just another dreamy plan: it set near-term targets that must be met if we’re to achieve these legally binding requirements in the least economically disruptive and most beneficial ways for Vermonters. By 2030—a mere eight years from now—the state must reduce its total state greenhouse gas emissions—primarily carbon dioxide—by 40% below 1990 levels—and it should do so while saving Vermonters money.

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc (Nasdaq: CWST) is pleased to announce that seven of its customers were recently honored for their leadership in sustainability at the second annual Casella Sustainability Leadership Awards Ceremony. During the ceremony Casella recognized Cabot/Agri-Mark, GlobalFoundries, Middlebury Natural Foods Co-Op, Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, St. Paul’s School, the town of Stratham, N.H., and Tufts University as customers who are standing out among their peers in their efforts to reach their sustainability goals.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 341 cases of COVID-19 for Wednesday as cases remain relatively high. The VDH reported no additional deaths, which held at 626 statewide. Hospitalizations have been elevated in April and today were 50 (up 5). The record was 122 on January 19. Health officials have focused on this as a key indicator. They had been running over 100 in early February, before a dramatic fall since, ahead of the recent increase. ICU stays, which also have been elevated, but stable, were 3 today (up 1), after being at zero most days in late March. The one-day record there was set December 7, 2021, (31).

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc (Nasdaq: CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company, announced that the Company’s President & Chief Operating Officer, Edwin D. Johnson, plans to retire on June 30, 2022. The Company also announced that its Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Edmond “Ned” R. Coletta, will assume the role of President & Chief Financial Officer effective July 1, 2022. Also, on July 1, 2022, the Company plans to promote Sean M. Steves, its current Senior Vice President of Operations, to Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Solid Waste Operations; and promote Jason M. Mead from his current role of Vice President of Finance to Senior Vice President of Finance & Treasurer.

Vermont Business Magazine Supporting the next generation of Vermont workers is vital to helping employers find long term solutions to their talent gaps. The Vermont Department of Labor and Associated General Contractors of Vermont (AGC-VT) have partnered with this goal in mind, seeking to increase exposure to entry points for careers in construction and related trades. The partnership is headlined by the Vermont’s Largest Career and Job Fair on Tuesday, April 26, but also includes other hiring events and workforce development initiatives.