Current News

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.

Morrisville and Johnson residents, community partners join affordable housing group
Vermont Business Magazine Lamoille Housing Partnership (LHP) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of David Ford as the new President of the affordable housing organization’s Board of Trustees, as well as Tess Milner and a Lamoille Community House (LCH) representative who join the Board of Trustees as two new Members at Large.

“I am honored to have been selected and supported by my fellow LHP Board of Trustees, as well as LHP staff, to serve as President of the LHP Board,” says Ford. “I care deeply about the quality of life in local communities, and I’m concerned about the Lamoille region’s increasing need for affordable housing. I view my new role as an important way to help our communities come together to support the housing needs of local residents.”

Vermont Business Magazine In 2019, Vermonters filed 5,447 scam reports with the Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program (CAP). As old scams persisted, new scams emerged. According to the Attorney General’s list of top 10 most commonly reported scams of the year, the Social Security number phishing scam surpassed the IRS scam, knocking it out of the top spot as the most common scam. This phone scam involves calls claiming that your Social Security number has been compromised, suspended, and/or linked to criminal activity. The phony grandchild is also still popular.

Vermonters filed 1,466 reports of the Social Security number phishing scam. Scam reports total more than 40 percent of all contacts CAP had with consumers in 2019, making scams one of the most common consumer issues affecting Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Law School has expanded with the addition of a new immigration clinic and admissions office in Burlington. Located at 162 St Paul Street, the satellite office opened Tuesday morning.

Through its connection to the South Royalton Legal Clinic (SRLC), the new Burlington VLS office will offer legal assistance, particularly on immigration law, through the expanded Vermont Immigration Assistance Clinic. Chittenden County students will also have more opportunity to participate in Vermont Law School’s academic programs through practical, real-world experience gained through workshops and programming.

Public Assets Institute As legislative leaders prepare to tackle pressing issues confronting Vermont, the Scott administration has signaled that they shouldn’t be looking to state government for any more help. If the Legislature wants to combat climate change, expand the availability of high-quality child care, or extend paid family and medical leave benefits, any new investments will have to come from existing programs because state government is doing all it can do.

At least that seems to be the clear implication of the letter sent early last month to House Speaker Mitzi Johnson and Senate President Pro Tem Tim Ashe:

Vermont Business Magazine Members of the Raise The Wage Coalition believe that working Vermonters deserve dignified, equitable working conditions, and anyone working 40 hours a week ought to be able to afford their basic needs. The Legislature convened the second half of its biennium today in Montpelier. The Vermont Raise the Wage Coalition – comprised of more than 30 community groups and statewide organizations – outlined its updated principles and priorities as legislators prepare to increase the state’s minimum wage to livable wage by 2024.

Collectively, Coalition members represent tens of thousands of Vermonters from all corners and regions of the state.

Vermont Business Magazine The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) in Chicago, the leading organization that oversees the standards for physician board certification in the United States, has named Greg Ogrinc, MD, MS its Senior Vice President, Certification Standards and Programs. Dr Ogrinc previously served as the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College and as a hospitalist at the White River Junction (WRJ) VA Medical Center in Vermont. Among his many leadership positions, he served as the Associate Chief of Staff for Education at WRJ and a Senior Scholar for its Quality Scholars program.

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center recently received designated agency recertification from the Vermont Department of Mental Health and the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL). The authorizations recognize Howard Center’s high-quality mental health, substance use, and developmental disability supports and services for Chittenden County adults, children, and families.

Howard Center, one of sixteen designated and specialized service agencies that comprise Vermont’s System of Care, is the designated agency for the Chittenden County region. Designated Agencies are responsible for ensuring needed services are available through program delivery, local planning, service coordination, and monitoring outcomes within their region.

by Jeb Spaulding, Chancellor, Vermont State Colleges System With the Legislature back in session and the Governor putting the finishing touches on his budget proposal for the next fiscal year, it is a good time to remind ourselves why Vermonters deserve meaningful increases in funding for the Vermont State College System (VSCS). The VSCS, which includes Castleton University, the Community College of Vermont, Northern Vermont University and Vermont Technical College, continues to be the in-state destination for two thirds of Vermonters attending college in Vermont, or over 9,500 students, with another 5,000 in continuing education programs.

Vermont Business Magazine The Shires Young Professionals (SYP), a sub group under the Bennington Regional Chamber of Commerce, recently conducted a survey to inquire about the wants and needs of young professionals in the region. The mission of the Shires Young Professional group is to help young professionals and families create deep roots in Southwestern Vermont communities.