Current News

The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce recently held its 64th Annual Meeting at the newly renovated Calcutta’s Sports Bar & Restaurant at the Fox Run Golf Club in Ludlow.

Scott Duffy of Rockledge Farm Woodworks was announced as the 2021 Member of the Year for being selected as the business to represent Vermont at the “Made in America Day” at the White House (although the event last fall had to be cancelled due to Covid), stepping up to co-chair the inaugural “Best of Vermont” Summer Festival committee, and his service on the chamber board of directors.

by Janice St. Onge The pulp and paper industry is not known for its cutting-edge technology or pushing the frontiers of innovation. In fact, little has changed in the 150 years since wood pulp was first used to make paper at the Smith Paper Company. But where others may see an aging industry, Pam Cowan, chief marketing and financial officer at Pulmac Systems International, sees one that is ripe for change.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermonters whose employment has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can again take a free class or training through the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) this fall. The Vermont State Colleges – Castleton University, Community College of Vermont, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College—are offering numerous training options at all four institutions across many high-demand industries and via online and in-person formats.

Vermonters can learn more about these opportunities and register for classes at http://vtworkers.vsc.edu.
This opportunity is available to Vermonters in addition to the scholarships and free tuition programs previously announced by the VSCS.

Vermont Business Magazine Yesterday, workers, small business owners, advocates and legislative leaders came together for the premiere of “We Believe in Paid Leave”, a video campaign lifting up eight stories from throughout Vermont, highlighting the critical and urgent need for the passage of an equitable and robust national paid family and medical leave solution. We know that 65% of Vermont’s workers don’t have access to paid family and medical leave and that the consequences are dire in the event of a personal or family medical emergency. We also know that no one chooses when they get sick or injured and that for most families, nine months is not enough time to save for an adequate parental leave.

Vermont Business Magazine Thursday the House passed nine out of 12 of the annual Appropriations bills to fund the government that included Rep. Peter Welch’s legislative priorities and funding for nine community projects. The appropriations bills include increased funding for affordable housing, public health infrastructure, education, and green energy projects, among other Welch priorities.

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Tuesday joined Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), and 14 additional Congressional colleagues in reintroducing legislation to create an alternative to incarceration for eligible parents and caregivers, while providing the resources they need so their children can stay safely at home instead of entering the foster care system.

The Finding Alternatives to Mass Incarceration: Lives Improved by Ending Separation Act (FAMILIES Act) would allow federal judges to divert parents and caregivers from incarceration into a comprehensive program that would better serve them, their families and society by offering resources, services and training to meet their unique needs. The legislation is modeled after successful programs in Oregon and Washington state that have kept hundreds of families together and been key to reducing recidivism.

Vermont Business Magazine AM Best will moderate a session focused on innovation and the state of the captive insurance market at the 2021 Vermont Captive Insurance Association’s (VCIA) Annual Conference. AM Best also will participate in other capacities, including as a platinum sponsor of the event. The VCIA conference takes place August 10-12, 2021. This is the largest Captive conference in the world and Vermont is the leading domicle for captive insurance firms in the United States.

LEAP Game Of Logging (8 LEAP Credits per Level). Levels 1 - 4 are mandatory for all Non-Mechanized LEAP loggers. If it’s been over 5 years since taking all four levels then taking a L5 (Refresher) is mandatory. Levels 1& 2 are being offered this year. If you would also like Levels 3 & 4 this year, let me know, otherwise you may take them next Spring. Levels begin August 6.

Vermont Business Magazine This family-fun Vermont tradition features midway rides and games, live music, livestock events, horse shows, a demolition derby, truck and tractor pulls, ATV drag racing, 4-H exhibits, Homemakers Building demonstrations, poker tournaments, opening night fireworks, favorite fair food and more. The $15 pay-one-price admission includes unlimited midway rides, live entertainment, track events and parking.

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc (NASDAQ: CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company based in Rutland, today reported its financial results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2021. Revenues were $215.9 million for the quarter, up $27.1 million, or up 14.4%, from the same period in 2020. Net income was $11.8 million for the quarter, down $(0.3) million, or down (2.7)%, from the same period in 2020.

Senator Patrick Leahy I rise on the Senate Floor today to urge that the Senate take up and pass H.R. 3237, the $2.1 billion Emergency Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, with an amendment at the desk. The amendment is the result of bipartisan compromise between myself and Vice Chairman Shelby, and I want to thank him for his hard work and his friendship. The bill subsequently passed the Senate unanimously and then was approved by the House. It now goes to President Biden, who is expected to sign it.