Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Tom Golonka, Chair of the Vermont Pension Investment Commission (VPIC), announced today an investment return of 24.62 percent for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021. Assets under management increased $1.14 billion during the fiscal year, net of all administrative and benefit payments.

Vermont Business Magazine Union Bankshares, Inc, based in Morrisville, (NASDAQ - UNB) has announced results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and declared a regular quarterly cash dividend. Consolidated net income for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $3.0 million, or $0.67 per share, compared to $2.7 million, or $0.60 per share, for the same period in 2020 and $5.9 million, or $1.31 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $4.9 million, or $1.09 per share, for the same period in 2020.

by C.B. Hall, Vermont Business Magazine At the behest of the Agency of Transportation, the 1850s-vintage railroad depot alongside Route 7 in New Haven Junction is likely to be moved in preparation for the extension of Amtrak's Ethan Allen Express train service north to Burlington from its current northern terminus, Rutland. That's likely to take place early in 2022. Under the plan, the brick building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and stands, with its chimneys, some 29 feet tall, would move about 1.7 miles to a new location adjacent to the town library, on New Haven's North Street. All in, the cost could be in the $750,000 range.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Communications Union Districts Association board voted Wednesday to appoint Laura Sibilia of Dover to the newly established Vermont Community Broadband Board. The Board was created through Act 71, An act relating to accelerated community broadband deployment, to assist and accelerate community efforts to achieve universal access to reliable, high-speed broadband service. The Board will be responsible for awarding grants and assisting the Communications Union Districts in their planning, development, and implementation of broadband projects.

Vermont Business Magazine The Hinesburg Town Forest Committee and the Chittenden County Forester invite the public to visit the Hinesburg Town Forest (HTF) to learn more about responsible forest management and its benefit to wildlife and habitat through two new self-guided tours. Creating and promoting high quality wildlife habitat is dependent on responsible forestry practices and thoughtful planning, both of which are highlighted in the most recent project at the Hinesburg Town Forest (HTF).

Vermont Business Magazine Representatives from Middlebury College, Vanguard Renewables, VGS, Goodrich Family Farm, and the state of Vermont–including Vermont Governor Phil Scott and Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray–celebrated the start of gas production at the largest anaerobic digester in the Northeast on July 21 at an event on the dairy farm in Salisbury, Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine iSun, Inc (NASDAQ: ISUN), a leading solar energy and clean mobility infrastructure company with 50-years of construction experience in solar, electrical and data services, announced its ranking as one of the top solar contractors in the United States by Solar Power World, the industry’s leading source for technology, development and installation news. iSun was ranked 38th overall, and 3rd amongst all commercial & industrial EPC contractors in the United States.

Vermont Business Magazine Turtle Fur, founded in 1982 as the inventor of the ubiquitous fleece neck warmer, is for sale. The owner made the announcement that they intend to sell the iconic Morrisville manufacturer through a broker Wednesday evening.

Vermont Business Magazine Comcast Business today announced it has launched its new wireless mobile service for small businesses, Comcast Business Mobile, nationally across its footprint. Comcast Business Mobile is designed to help small businesses be ready for today and whatever comes next with flexible data options, nationwide 5G coverage, and savings. Comcast Business Mobile benefits from the success and expertise established by top-rated mobile service, Xfinity Mobile.

Vermont Business Magazine This summer, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets’ Produce Program partnered with growers to celebrate the steps they take to bring food from the field to customers. The campaign features Vermont farmers telling their stories, a message that puts a face with the product and invites all Vermonters to value the food they buy, how it’s produced, and who grows it.

by Julie Lowell, Public Assets Institute In March, the American Rescue Plan Act allotted nearly $200 million of relief to Vermont’s local governments—$76.6 million to cities and towns, and another $121 million to Vermont counties—to respond to the COVID health emergency, boost essential worker pay, provide needed government services, and invest in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure. This money will have significant impact, as it is nearly 40 percent of what Vermont local governments collected in municipal taxes in 2020.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Donovan today announced an anticipated settlement agreement in principle with three distributors of opioids sued last year by his office – Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen – and Johnson & Johnson, which manufactured and marketed opioids. The amount of Vermont’s portion of this national settlement amounts to roughly $60 million. The settlement agreement would resolve investigations and litigation over the companies’ roles in creating and fueling the opioid epidemic.