Current News

Vermont Business Magazine On Thursday, December 5, Vermont became one of the first places in the US to receive approval from CMS to allow Medicaid reimbursement for inpatient stays at free-standing Institutions for Mental Disease (IMDs). Vermont was granted an amendment to its “Global Commitment to Health” Medicaid waiver which will allow the state to receive Medicaid reimbursement for inpatient stays at the Brattleboro Retreat and Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital for Medicaid patients between the ages of 21 and 64.  

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) announced today the renaming of Accel-VT, a climate economy business accelerator managed by VSJF, to DeltaClimeVT in order to better align with the program’s mission of finding climate change solutions. Delta meaning change. Clime meaning climate. DeltaClimeVT is change for the better.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont is once again the healthiest state in the nation, according to the United Health Foundation’s newly released America’s Heath Rankings annual report. The state moved up three steps to reclaim the top spot in the Foundation’s 30th year documenting the nation’s health trends, challenges and opportunities. For nearly two decades, Vermont has ranked among the top five healthiest states, as gauged by the Foundation’s review of 35 core measures, including health behaviors and outcomes, clinical care, policy impacts, as well as community, environmental and socio-economic factors. Vermont was number 4 last year.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) President and CEO Mary Powell has been named the 2019 ‘Executive of the Year’ by Utility Dive, a leading national industry news publisher. The 2019 Dive Awards recognize the industry’s top disruptors and innovators. These executives, companies, trends, and breakthroughs are transforming the industry. Winners were chosen by the editors of Utility Dive based on thorough and independent research, reporting, and analysis.

Vermont Business Magazine The American College of Surgeons has once again verified the University of Vermont Medical Center, based in Burlington, as a Level I Adult Trauma Center – the highest category for trauma services – as well as a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center. The UVM Medical Center is the only Level I Trauma Center in the state of Vermont, and is one of about 100 in the country. It has been designated a Level I Trauma Center since 1994.

Vermont Business Magazine The work by the Antibiotic Stewardship Committee at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph to address antibiotic resistance, a continuing public health threat across the United States and globally, has resulted in a greater than 50 percent reduction in the use of the drugs with Gifford patients. Overuse of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance, the ability of bacteria to resist the effects of the medications that were once successful in treating them. According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “More than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the U.S. each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result.”

Vermont Business Magazine A century after they began, the 1920s are roaring back to northwestern Vermont with the addition of The Clothier, a speakeasy that also pays homage to the rich retail history of downtown St Albans. Tom Murphy officially opened The Clothier at 22 North Main Street in early December during a party that attracted customers dressed as gangsters and flappers. The Clothier is adjacent to Twiggs American Gastropub, which Murphy also owns. The businesses are connected by “secret entrances,” and patrons of The Clothier can order food from Twiggs.

Vermont Business Magazine is preparing to publish our 33rd annual Vermont 100+, a ranking of Vermont companies based on revenues. Last year we listed nearly 200 companies ranked by total revenues and also ranked by industry. The rankings will be published in our January 2020 issue. To be considered for this prestigious recognition, enter your 2019 revenue figure (or estimate) in the space provided and mail, fax or email back your survey.

Vermont Business Magazine The Woodstock Inn & Resort, in partnership with Arena Snowparks, is constructing two new terrain parks and freestyle terrain at the resort’s Suicide Six Ski Area for the 2019-2020 ski season. The terrain parks are being installed at Suicide Six to cater to a wide range of ski and snowboard abilities. The mountain’s Milky Way will contain smaller, entry-level terrain while Lasky’s Lot will cater to intermediate skiers and riders. Arena Snowparks built five custom features specifically for Suicide Six. The variety of rails and boxes include a 22 foot fat rainbow rail, 30 foot flat down box and a 20 foot flat rail. Both terrain parks are designed to support snowsports progression while also providing optimal teaching areas for the multiple private and semi-private lessons offered by Suicide Six Ski Area and the Woodstock Ski Runners seasonal programs.

Vermont Business Magazine Carrie walked into the Maple Landmark showroom early on a Monday morning with an idea. An employee at a nearby food storage company, she brought a concept from their design team to see what possibilities might be available. The concept, a simple one-piece toggle, would be used as part of their product packaging. Carrie began explaining the idea to Maple Landmark owner, Michael Rainville, when he came up with an idea of his own: why not make a prototype on the spot for her to show her team?

Vermont Business Magazine Besides reducing their environmental impact and saving money, members who have enrolled in Vermont Electric Co-op’s Co-op Community Solar Program often cite convenience and lack of equipment maintenance as major reasons they participate. Under VEC’s Co-op Community Solar Program, members make an up-front payment to sponsor panels for either 10 or 20 years and receive a guaranteed, fixed, monthly credit on their electric bill. By the end of the sponsorship, the total value of the bill credits exceeds the initial up-front payment.

Vermont Business Magazine Over 150 Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) Corporators and community leaders attended the organization’s annual meeting at Northern Vermont University on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The meeting, which marked the end of NVRH’s 2019 fiscal year, highlighted organizational achievements from the past year and featured remarks from NVRH CEO Shawn Tester, NVRH Board Chair Tom Robinson, and the Executive Director of Lumunos Clinicians Wellbeing Services Doug Wysockey-Johnson. The meeting also included election and re-election of Corporators and trustees for the St Johnsbury-based hospital.