Current News

by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Sears parent company Transform has announced the closing of 96 Sears and Kmart stores including the Umall location on Dorset St in So Burlington. Here is the press release announcing their decision and a list of all closures.

Since purchasing substantially all the assets of Sears Holdings Corporation in February 2019, Transformco has faced a difficult retail environment and other challenges. We have been working hard to position Transformco for success by focusing on our competitive strengths and pruning operations that have struggled due to increased competition and other factors. To support these initiatives, our owners (along with a third-party investor) have recently provided the company approximately $250 million in new capital.

by katie

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General T.J. Donovan announced today that his office has reviewed the officer use-of-force incident that occurred on March 11, 2019, in Burlington, Vermont. The Attorney General’s Office is declining to prosecute Burlington Police Department Officer Cory Campbell for charges related to the use of force against Douglas Kilburn. Based on the totality of the circumstances, the Office concluded that it was reasonable and justified for Officer Campbell to use force to defend himself. It should be noted, however, that Officer Campbell’s actions in his second interaction with Mr. Kilburn, while justified under the law, did contribute to the situation in which the need for self-defense arose. Training and accountability on de-escalation techniques are essential to ensuring that officers are not putting themselves and citizens in danger.

by katie

Vermont Business Magazine Spot The Dog, a Vermont-based dog reflective wear company, announced today that both its “Puppy Plaid” Reversible Bandana and “The Flip” Reversible Bandana are included in this year’s Oprah’s Favorite Things holiday gift list featured in the December issue of O, The Oprah Magazine and on OprahMag.com

by katie

Vermont Business Magazine The U.S. Department of State has recognized School for International Training with the English Language Fellow Top Producing Institution Award, which celebrates SIT’s position as the institution that has prepared the largest number of TESOL professionals to become Fellows.

by katie

Vermont Business Magazine As we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day, the American Red Cross recognizes those who have served our country - our veterans – and offers support to them at every step – from the time a service member takes the oath, through active duty, to their transition to becoming a veteran.

by katie

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Labor today celebrated the fifth annual National Apprenticeship Week during a proclamation signing at Benoit Electric in Barre.

by katie

Vermont Business Magazine A new solar project benefiting Upper Valley Haven not only promotes a more sustainable future, it helps them save money and serve more people in its 40-year mission to provide food, shelter, education, and support services related to poverty in the Upper Valley.
The Net Metering Credits produced by the 150-kilowatt Newbury Scotch Hollow Solar project also benefits the Town of Newbury and Newbury Elementary School in the form of reduced power bills for 25 years. The project was successfully developed by Norwich Solar Technologies and is hosted on Town of Newbury land in a former gravel pit on Scotch Hollow Road.

by katie

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? In a matter of minutes, Rainville had mocked up a design on the computer and created a sample using a laser cutter. As she left Maple Landmark to make the short 1-mile journey to work, Carrie took with her several sample pieces for them to try.

by katie

Vermont Business Magazine The Richards Group is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement to merge with IPG Employee Benefits, based in Keene, NH. The two firms have long been leaders in employee benefits consulting across the twin state region, and the merger further strengthens their collective offering to clients.

“We’re delighted to have Walter Rohr, John Round and their team join The Richards Group. IPG has an excellent team, strong client relationships and a terrific reputation”, said Drew Richards, Vice President of The Richards Group. “We’ve had clients in Keene for years and have had considerable growth in Cheshire County over the past decade. We’re thrilled to be part of the vibrant community in Keene and joining with IPG certainly deepens the commitment we’ve already made to the area.”

by katie

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets is now accepting applications for two grant programs that provide support to Vermont schools and early care providers who want to establish or expand their farm to school programs. Both the Infrastructure Grant program and the Farm to School Child Nutrition grant program are open to any Vermont licensed and registered early care provider or Vermont school, including consortiums of schools or early care providers

by katie

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center Cardiac Rehab Program recently announced the expansion of available sessions in their cardiac rehab gym for Phase II patients. Phase II refers to patients who are in the acute phase of their recovery after a cardiac event.  According to the American Heart Association, patients with certain conditions and procedures will benefit from a cardiac rehab program. These include a heart attack, heart failure, angina, coronary artery disease (CAD), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery,percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and valve replacement.

by katie

Vermont Business Magazine A discussion on "invisible" diversity and identity has led Castleton University faculty and staff to launch an initiative called CU/See Me.

Peter Kimmel, Dean of the College of Health and Sciences, said this home-grown initiative serves as a way for members of the Castleton family to get together to recognize diversity and identity in a positive way.