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by Lex Osler When my father (Dr. Turner Osler) transitioned from a 20-year career as a University of Vermont trauma surgeon to full-time epidemiological research in 2016, I don't think either of us had any idea where that decision would lead—certainly not to the two of us running a Vermont based company together. Dad's back pain from unaccustomed hours at a desk began an investigation that eventually consumed him. When he started thinking about chairs, prototyping in the basement, and developed what seemed like an obsessive focus on the biomechanics of sitting, I was skeptical. But watching him bring the rigor of medical research to a problem affecting billions of people, I began to think something important might be happening. What started as my father's obsession has become our family mission: QOR360 has now sold 20,000 active chairs across every American state and 52 countries worldwide.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont health officials are recommending health care providers continue to protect children from hepatitis B, a highly contagious virus that infects the liver, through the current, evidence-based vaccination schedule. The hepatitis B vaccine is widely considered one of the safest and most effective vaccines ever made. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the vaccine for all infants since 1991, and rates of the disease – which can cause lifelong liver damage when contracted by newborns and infants – have fallen sharply in the U.S. following widespread adoption of the current schedule.

Vermont Business Magazine Nestled in the hills near the Connecticut River in East Corinth, Martin’s Tree Farm has been growing Christmas Trees for nearly two decades. On Monday, the Martin family welcomed Governor Phil Scott and Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts to their East Corinth property to celebrate the arrival of the 2025 Christmas season. With the help of the Martin’s, the Governor selected two Christmas trees to cut that will decorate the Pavilion Building in Montpelier, which houses the governor’s Office.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Public is once again teaming up with Vermont Foodbank and the Vermont Community Foundation for its 11th annual Giving Tuesday partnership, mobilizing generosity to support Vermonters facing hunger and food insecurity. Now through Giving Tuesday, every gift made to Vermont Public will activate the equivalent of 18 meals for Vermont Foodbank to provide to Vermonters facing food insecurity, thanks to contributions from the Vermont Community Foundation and its fundholders.

Vermont Business Magazine CPR Therapeutics Inc. responded to the allowance today that the company has received a U.S. patent for a set of technologies to improve the efficacy of transthoracic electrical countershock and pacing as treatments for cardiac dysrhythmias. CPR Therapeutics Inc. (CTR-T) is a U.S. medical device start-up developing the technologies to improve the outcomes of patients suffering sudden cardiac arrest and acute life threatening illness and injury. The Company’s core technology is multimodal circumferential thoracoabdominal CPR devices. This newest patent is for devices that are an outgrowth of the Company’s core technologies and are intended to enhance transthoracic cardioversion and pacing.

Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity In mid-November, the Champlain Valley got its first snow — a surprise to many, and a signal that our long, cold season has begun. If you or someone you know needs help staying warm, CVOEO’s Warmth Support Program is here. Reach out early to avoid heating emergencies. Our Community Action teams are ready to help in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle counties.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Commissioner of Taxes Bill Shouldice today released the December 1 education tax rate letter, which forecasts the education tax yields for resident homeowners and the non-homestead tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year (FY) 2027. This year’s letter projects education property tax bills to increase by a statewide average of 11.9%r. The Vermont Legislature last session agreed to cap the education property tax increase at 1.1% for FY26, which reduced the rate from a projected 5.9% increase. The short-term measure resulted from a deal between Governor Scott and lawmakers to provide some relief from rising property taxes. For FY26, a buydown of rates used $118 million, paid for by a mix of surplus general and education fund tax dollars ($77 million from the general fund and $41 million from the education fund). The FY25 increase was nearly 13.8% and resulted in Republicans gaining several seats in the Legislature in the subsequent 2024 general election.

Vermont Business Magazine Lawson’s Finest Liquids will celebrate GivingTuesday, a day dedicated to radical generosity, by donating $100,000 across 69 nonprofit organizations. Marking the B Corp Certified brewery’s most impactful GivingTuesday yet, the 2025 donation will support a range of causes across Vermont with amounts of up to $10,000 going to organizations focusing on food and economic security, healthy communities, natural resource protection, and sustainable recreation. With 35% of this year’s donation supporting nonprofits that fight hunger and food insecurity, the largest single donation will go to the Vermont Foodbank, the state’s largest hunger-relief organization and only food bank that provides 14 million pounds of food annually to people throughout Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has reopened a 5.5-mile segment of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) in St. Johnsbury that had been closed due to flood damage. The trail section from Mt. Vernon Street in St. Johnsbury at milepost (MP) 1.05 to Danville at MP 6.6 is now open. July 2024 flooding damaged numerous sites along the LVRT. During the 2024 and 2025 construction seasons, work was completed on sites that needed repairs, including a recent culvert replacement in St. Johnsbury at MP 1.42 and temporary repairs at multiple sites from MP 1.42 east to Mt. Vernon Street at MP 1.05.

Vermont Business Magazine Mamava, the category creator and market leader in lactation infrastructure and support, today announced the acquisition of TalkBox, a Colorado–based company that designs sound-resistant privacy booths for calls, meetings, telehealth, and wellness. The acquisition marks a major milestone in Mamava’s mission and responds to the growing demand for inclusive, human-centered spaces that provide comfort, privacy, and dignity in workplaces and public environments. Financial terms were not released.

Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity For many of the nearly 4,600 Vermonters without stable housing — including over 1,000 children — a warm place to sleep is not a guarantee. As temperatures drop, it is important to be aware of critical changes to Vermont's emergency housing this winter. Starting December 1, and continuing through March 31, Vermont's emergency motel voucher program will temporarily pause key limits. The usual 80-night cap is lifted during these months, meaning any household that has already reached their limit can re-apply, and any nights used during the winter won't count against their annual total. The overall room capacity limit is also lifted. However, rooms are extremely limited and fill quickly, so immediate action is essential.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Gallagher, Flynn & Company (GFC) will host a free year-end financial planning webinar, “Year-End Planning: What To Do Before the Clock Runs Out,” on Tuesday, December 9 from 12:00–1:00 p.m. The program will feature leading experts from GFC: Tax Partners Chelsea Condos, CPA and Angela Guinness, CPA, and Assurance & Advisory Senior Manager Fran Briand, CPA. With the final weeks of the year approaching, business owners can still take important steps to strengthen their financial position, reduce risk, and plan effectively for 2026. This session will provide clear, actionable guidance rooted in tax expertise, financial analysis, and best practices in year-end business planning.