Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The “American Dream” of homeownership and financial independence is a hallmark of middle-class life. But earning and saving up enough money to comfortably afford a down payment and reduce financial stress has become increasingly difficult. Some states, however, offer better conditions for middle class families. In a new study, national research firm SmartAsset looked at metrics related to income, jobs, taxes and homeownership to find the best states for the middle class and Vermont ranks in the seventh spot. This is by far the highest ranking anywhere in the Northeast.

Vermont Business Magazine ’Tis the season for gift-giving and VSAC’s new Gift of College gift card is a game-changer in giving a gift that makes a difference in a child’s future. Vermont Student Assistance Corp, which oversees Vermont’s 529 college savings plan, is partnering with Giftofcollege.com, a registry for online gifts to 529 accounts, to supply the gift cards to Vermont locations of Kinney Drugs and Cumberland Farms.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Tech has announced that the college ranks first in the state for return on investment, according to a national report published last week. The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce just released their First Try at ROI: Ranking 4,500 Colleges report, which is the institute’s attempt to quantify the value of an education in the short and long term. 

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.