Current News

by Joyce Marcel, Vermont Business Magazine The City of Burlington is defined by its waterfront, and its waterfront is defined by the work of Melinda Moulton. Moulton has restored, built or rebuilt some of the waterfront’s most iconic structures, including a stunning restoration of the 1916 Union Station at the foot of Main Street. All the while, she has been proving that you can do well by doing good — really. However, life sometimes circles ‘round and bites you on the butt. Long an outspoken champion of commuter rail, Moulton is now fighting the railroads to preserve her legacy.

by Representative Pattie McCoy As the beginning of the 2020 legislative session approaches, Vermonters should be aware that a carbon tax is being revived--again. This isn’t hype or hysteria about the prospect of something that may be proposed. Rather, this is actively being pushed and pursued by Vermont elected officials and interest groups under the guise of a “fee” or “surcharge”.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General T.J. Donovan joined a coalition of states to file a lawsuit opposing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) attempt to revoke portions of a waiver it previously granted to the State of California permitting the state to implement its greenhouse gas (GHG) and zero emission vehicle (ZEV) standards. Friday’s action, filed in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, is part of the states’ ongoing fight to protect California’s Advanced Clean Car Standards. The California standards, which are more protective than those established by the federal government, are followed, in whole or in part, by 13 other states – including Vermont. They are a key part of state-level efforts to protect public health, clean air, and the environment.

Vermont Business Magazione Retail prices for 267 brand-name drugs commonly used by older adults surged by an average of 5.8% in 2018, more than twice the general inflation rate of 2.4%, according to new AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) data released by the local Vermont chapter Thursday. The annual average cost of therapy for one brand-name drug ballooned to more than $7,200 in 2018, up from nearly $1,900 in 2006. 

Vermont Business Magazine Premier designer toy and synthetic celebrity brand Superplastic from Burlington has joined forces with the World's Most Successful Virtual Act - British band Gorillaz - to create a new ultra-limited collector's edition toy - available today on superplastic.co and gorillaz.com/store.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the formation of the Vermont 2020 Complete Count Committee through Executive Order 09-19. The Committee is charged with ensuring a complete and accurate count of Vermont's population in the upcoming 2020 Census. The Committee will comprise private and public stakeholders across Vermont, including state and municipal government officials, state legislators, community organizations and representatives of populations that are historically undercounted in the Census such as the LQBTQ, elderly, minority, immigrant and homeless communities.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Electric Co-op (VEC) today filed a request with the Vermont Public Utility Commission for a rate increase of 3.29 percent to take effect at the beginning of next year.  If approved, this adjustment would be the first VEC rate increase in six years. Over the last ten years, VEC has had an average rate increase of less than one percent a year, well under the cost of inflation.

Vermont Business Magazine MENTOR Vermont recently awarded 25 grants, totaling $348,735, to support youth mentoring programs throughout the state. The 2019-2020 Vermont Mentoring Grants will support more than 100 new and existing program sites, and more than 1,800 adult-to-youth mentor pairs in communities across Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine FUJIFILM Dimatix Inc, has announced that their STEM Internship: High Tech Manufacturing & Engineering has entered into its second year. The program is a partnership between Lebanon High School (NH), Thetford Academy (Vermont), Hypertherm (NH), and FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc (NH). While the concept of teaching high school students about STEM isn’t a new one, this program is unique because it combines onsite learning at manufacturing facilities and curriculums that earn course credits.

Vermont Business Magazine The Scott Administration will be in Addison County on Monday, November 18 for its Capitol for a Day initiative, a 14-county tour launched by the Governor in 2018. The Administration visited all 14 counties last year and Monday’s visit to Addison will mark the 5th stop on the second round of visits. Capitol for a Day is intended to give local constituents, municipal government leaders and other partners the opportunity to connect directly with state leadership and staff.

Vermont Business Magazine On Thursday evening, Burliington Mayor Miro Weinberger received the 2019 Circle of Stars award at the Turning Point Center’s 10th annual Circle of Stars benefit dinner. In accepting the award, Mayor Weinberger called for a next chapter in the fight against the opioid epidemic – one focused on retaining people in medication-assisted treatment and supporting “sustained recovery.”

by Brandon Arcari, Vermont Business Magazine With the piercing fire alarm as a backdrop, local fire trucks descended on the University of Vermont campus late this morning in response to an incident in one of the STEM labs. Both STEM buildings were evacuated as a precaution. One graduate student was injured but not severely.