Current News

by Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos For decades, Vermont’s Community Media Centers have provided our residents direct access to each other, our government, and our community events. Now, more than ever, we need a strong network of public, educational and government (“PEG TV”) stations and their Community Media Centers to provide these important services that keep our civic engagement strong.

I have been a longtime advocate for government transparency. The public’s right to know is critical to a democracy where we can audit our local, state, and federal government agencies, and ultimately hold them accountable. My days on the South Burlington City Council taught me first-hand the important role PEG TV plays in keeping our residents informed and engaged.

Brandon Arcari, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont House overrode Governor Scott’s veto of S.23, increasing the state’s minimum wage effective in 2021. The vote passed 100-49, and followed the Senate’s Feb. 13 vote to override the veto 24-6. The bill will raise the state’s minimum wage to $11.75 in 2021, from its current $10.78, and to $12.55 in 2022, and ties minimum wage increases to inflation after those years.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM) is now accepting applications for the Local Food Market Development grant program. This program seeks to increase the amount of Vermont agricultural products being sold through local institutional or wholesale markets. The deadline to apply for this opportunity is March 29th, 2020.

Grants of up to $5,000 are available to farmers, producers, food businesses and value-chain facilitators. Funding will be awarded to the proposals that show the greatest potential in helping address supply chain barriers. Examples include improving product quality, operational efficiency, or food safety procedures, addressing distribution challenges or mitigating financial risk associated with scaling to meet new markets.

by John McClaughry In January 2019 the commission to review and update Act 250 presented a well written report. Its recommendations are now the subject of 94-page bill (H.926) to dramatically reshape the state’s land use and development act.

On the plus side, in light of its 50 years in force, Act 250 was certainly due, or overdue, for thorough reconsideration. This is especially true since the bill that became Act 250 was thrown together over one desperate weekend, to “put the brakes on land development.” I know, because I was an active participant in that process in the House, and voted for it.

On the minus side, a brief trip through the report and bill show that the six legislators on the commission were pretty clearly chosen to bestow every imaginable policy victory upon the Vermont Natural Resources Council, the organization that has battled for stronger regulation over Vermonters’ use of land ever since the Act passed.

Vermont Business Magazine While other financial institutions are shuttering branches, consolidating with other institutions, and reducing services like drive throughs, One Credit Union, based in Springfield, Vermont, opened its doors to a beautiful new branch in the Shaw’s Plaza on John Stark Highway in Newport, NH on February 22. Newport marks One Credit Union’s seventh branch, and its second in New Hampshire.

Vermont Business Magazine United Counseling Service has hired Lori Vadakin as Director of Mental Health and Substance Use Services. United Counseling Service provides support and guidance to help individuals and families improve their quality of life. Vadakin will be responsible for the clinical and administrative oversight of the agency’s system of care for Mental Health, Substance Use Treatment and Community Rehabilitation and Treatment programs.

Vermont Business Magazine When a family learns that the child they have eagerly anticipated is stillborn, what they often want more than anything is more time with their baby. A special bassinet called a CuddleCot extends the amount of time that families can grieve with their child if they choose to. Scarlet’s Mission, a non-profit dedicated to giving families of stillborn babies the gift of time, has donated a CuddleCot to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center’s Women’s and Children’s Services Department, part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC).

Vermont Business Magazine On Monday, Vermont’s House Appropriations Committee voted in favor (6-5) of a bill that would legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis sales for adults 21 and older. S.

by Jack Hoffman, Public Assets Institute US News & World Report is out with its latest “Best States” rankings. Vermont was number five last year, behind Washington, New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Utah. The report adds a new perspective to some of the debates we hear in Montpelier—about Vermont’s strengths, its weaknesses, and what matters.

by C.B. Hall, Vermont Business Magazine A decision over where to store an Amtrak train overnight when the passenger rail provider begins serving Burlington remains elusive, as city and state officials and other stakeholders continue to ponder multiple options. The leading candidates for the purpose, among six that have received public consideration, are a new siding near the McNeil Generating Station just west of Burlington's Intervale Road, and a new siding adjacent to Burlington Union Station, at the foot of Main Street.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Peter Walke to serve as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Walke has served as the deputy secretary for the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) since January 2017, after serving as chief of staff for the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Walke replaces Emily Boedecker, who served as DEC commissioner for three years.

Peter Walke. State of Vermont photo.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) announced Monday that Mamava will join the organization’s Champion Members. VBSR is a business association with over 730 members who work to foster a business ethic that sets a high standard within the Vermont professional community for protecting the natural, human, and economic environments of the state. The support of Champion Members like Mamava is essential to advancing their year-round state-wide work bringing businesses together as a power for good.