Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Castleton University has formed an agreement with Marlboro College that will streamline the transfer of Marlboro students to Castleton. Under the agreement, Castleton will accept currently-matriculated students who are in good academic standing at Marlboro. The University will also provide a financial aid package that will allow current Marlboro students to attend Castleton at a tuition price that is equivalent to or less than what they paid at Marlboro in 2019-20.

Additionally, Castleton will waive application fees and facilitate a transfer process that will provide Marlboro students with a streamlined transition to Castleton.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) is announcing the departure of its executive director, Ben Cadwallader, as of February 7, 2020. Cadwallader has been with the VSO since 2015, and has helped the organization grow as a renowned innovator and collaborator among the arts community. During his tenure at the VSO, Cadwallader not only increased revenue and audience numbers, but he introduced Jukebox, a chamber music project with Burlington’s ArtsRiot and other unconventional venues throughout the state; created a beloved new family tradition in the New Year’s Eve celebration, Burlington Does Broadway; spearheaded collaborations with diversity and inclusivity-oriented organizations and social groups; transformed the organization’s programming; and so much more.

Vermont Business Magazine The Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB) announce the initiation of a comprehensive, nation-wide search for a Chief Executive Officer through ZurickDavis Executive Search Professionals. CHCB also said that Kate Reed will soon take over as Interim CEO. CHCB said in a statement that this is an opportunity to lead and shape a pioneering health care organization; the next CEO will position CHCB to thrive in a changing healthcare environment and to respond to the varied needs of community members.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is building on the success of its customer programs to cut carbon and costs by renewing rebates for 2020 – helping customers find affordable options on electric vehicles, bikes and lawnmowers, heat pumps, and more. GMP launched the rebates in 2019 to reduce costs and customers’ carbon footprints, and customers responded by making thousands of purchases – offsetting 156 million lifetime pounds of carbon, equal to taking 15,000 fossil-fueled vehicles off the road for a year. GMP’s rebates will continue until June 30.

Vermont Business Magazine Efficiency Vermont is wrapping up a year of partnerships in four communities across Vermont, bringing together energy service providers and community groups to expand access to money and energy saving solutions. 2019 was the fourth year of the program, a collaborative effort launched by Efficiency Vermont and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) to bring efficiency solutions directly to residents in selected communities around the state. Residents, businesses, and non-profits in Rutland, Bellows Falls, St. Johnsbury, and Swanton were eligible for free home energy visits and consultations with an efficiency expert and enhanced incentives to bring down the cost of efficiency upgrades. In total, fifteen communities have partnered with Efficiency Vermont since the program launched in 2016, and four new communities have been selected for the upcoming year.

Vermont State Police On January 7, 2020, Carmen Thompson was arrested at 21 Grove Street in Proctor. Thompson's arrest came after a drug investigation conducted by the Vermont Drug Task Force. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) assisted the Vermont Drug Task Force during its investigation.

The investigation involved the use of confidential informants who purchased crack cocaine from Thompson at 21 Grove Street in Proctor. [The location is around the corner from the Proctor Junior/Senior High School on Park Street.]

VSP photo of Carmen Thompson

Vermont Business Magazine Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel raised $4,132 for the Vermont Foodbank and JCEO Plattsburgh Foodshelf through a clever fundraising event this holiday season. For the third year in a row, Lenny’s teamed up with Darn Tough Vermont to create a limited-edition sock. The Vermont Barn Sock was released exclusively at Lenny’s in October and sold out by mid-December. In tribute to the Vermont lifestyle, these socks honor the barns that bring our communities together. Lenny’s donated $2.00 from every pair sold to the Vermont Foodbank in Barre and JCEO Foodshelf in Plattsburgh.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) Wednesday joined Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in introducing a Senate resolution condemning President Trump’s threats to attack cultural sites in Iran and demanding the President refrain from violating the laws of armed conflict. The resolution responds to President Donald Trump’s repeated threats on Twitter and in a press conference that the United States would make cultural sites a target of attack if conflict with Iran escalates. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has contradicted the president and said that the Pentagon would not violate the laws of armed conflict by attacking Iranian cultural sites.

Vermont Business Magazine People's United Bank, NA, a subsidiary of People's United Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBCT), announced today that it completed the sale of its Two Burlington Square location in Vermont on December 31, 2019, to Nedde Real Estate. People’s United Bank will continue to maintain its Vermont headquarters at this location, including a full-service branch, drive-up banking services and three floors of office space. This is the former Chittenden Bank headquarters on Bank Street.

Vermont Business Magazine r.k. Miles, Inc., a third-generation, family-owned building materials supplier based in Manchester Center with locations in Vermont and Massachusetts, announced today that the company will be acquiring Allen Lumber, Inc. with locations in Barre, Montpelier, Waitsfield, and St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Allen Lumber Company, a fifth-generation family-owned business since 1888, has a longstanding, proud tradition of providing quality service, hardware and building materials throughout northeastern Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont JumpStart Coalition is partnering with the Vermont Access Network and the Treasurers office to announce an original video contest for youth with the goal to help them better understand the importance of managing money responsibly. The “Making Money Means Making Decisions” contest theme encourages youth to develop videos that will highlight the benefits of saving and spending money wisely, understanding credit and debt or financial decision making. The contest is open to middle school and high school students. Students may submit videos as a team or individually.

The deadline for student submissions is March 1, 2020 and the winning videos will be showcased at the Financial Literacy Award ceremony in Montpelier hosted by Vermont Treasurer Beth Pearce. In addition, the winners of the contest will we awarded $750 for first place and $250 for second place.

Vermont Business Magazine Country Camper has announced the grand opening of a 16,000 square foot service facility in East Montpelier, Vermont. Country Camper is a full-service, family owned and operated RV dealership with locations in Vermont and New Hampshire. The new facility will enhance Country Camper’s rapidly growing business and help advance the company’s mission to provide excellent service before and after the sale.