Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Lippa’s Estate and Fine Jewelry has announced that Jeffrey Berger, President and CEO will be retiring after 50 years, effective 2020. Lippa’s will be celebrating his long-run management with a store-wide retirement sale online and in their Burlington, Vermont located jewelry store effective November 1st. The sale will feature store-wide savings up to 75% off and is also accessible online at www.lippas.com.

Vermont Business Magazine The Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness is a call to action for all mayors and other state and local leaders to publicly commit to making sure that every Veteran who served America has a home in America. Federal partners for the challenge are led by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness with support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is now accepting applications for the Vermont Produce Improvement Grant program. Produce Safety Improvement Grants (PSIG) can partially defray the costs of implementing on-farm food safety practices to help vegetable and fruit growers transition to compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule and/or meet market demands for on-farm food safety.

Vermont Business Magazine Construction employment increased by 10,000 jobs in October and by 148,000, or 2.0 percent, over the past 12 months, while construction spending decreased by 2.0 percent from September 2018 to September 2019, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said demand for construction is being undermined by uncertainty and tariffs that are part of a series of trade disputes with China, the European Union and other countries.

Vermont Business Magazine Community Bank N.A. recently presented a $1,000 donation to Pathways Vermont to support its fourth annual Community Table Dinner, held on Oct. 23 at Pathways Vermont Community Center in Burlington. More than 70 guests, including those in need, attended the free dinner, which featured farm-to-table produce and local products from Vermont farms and businesses.

Photo (left to right): Pathways Vermont Executive Director Hilary Melton, Community Bank N.A. Commercial Banking Officer David Blow and Pathways Vermont Development Director Patrick Gallagher.

Vermont Business Magazine If you are 22- 40 years old, The Vermont Futures Project and the Northeast Kingdom Young Professionals Network would like to learn your insights about Vermont's current economic challenges, your personal economic and work aspirations, and your recommendations on how to secure Vermont's future to be a great place to work, live and play. 

Photo: NEK YPN Members at an October Planning Retreat.

Vermont Business Magazine MVP Health Care today announced that beginning on January 1, 2020, families, individuals, and employers in Vermont will have access to new and innovative benefits that can improve their overall health and well-being. At the start of the new year, MVP’s members will have access to a no-cost Health Savings Account, on-demand telemedicine visits, low-cost prescription drugs, a national network of providers, and can earn up to a $600 through its WellBeing Rewards Program.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Public Service have launched EnergySaver.vermont.gov to provide resources, links and practical advice to help Vermonters save energy and money by heating and cooling their homes more efficiently.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is urging customers to stay away from downed lines after an overnight storm slammed the region. GMP crews worked through the night restoring power to more than 21,000 customers as the Halloween storm hit the Northeast with heavy rain and strong winds leaving about 800,000 customers without power region-wide and still climbing. GMP crews were positioned around the state to respond quickly and safely for customers, and GMP brought in nearly 100 line workers from Quebec, Massachusetts and Maine in advance of the storm to help. Forecasters say the strong winds will intensify and continue through this afternoon, and more outages are expected and widespread damage means restoration work could be slow going in some locations.

Vermont Business Magazine Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC) recently held a public ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch its new private nursing suite designed for breastfeeding or pumping by nursing mothers. The event, held in the Primary Care Clinic off the Main Lobby of Mt. Ascutney Hospital, introduced the Hospital staff and general public to the lactation pod, constructed by leading nursing suite manufacturer Mamava of Burlington, VT. The brightly decorated nursing suite provides a comfortable, friendly, private space for mothers and babies, with occupancy-activated lighting, two benches, a fold-down table, power outlet and USB port, plus ceiling vents and an exhaust fan for comfort.

Vermont Business Magazine VEC crews are out working to restore power across VEC territory after high winds hit the region overnight.  As of 5:30 a.m. this morning, over 1,600 VEC members in 26 different towns were without power.  Another more significant wind event is expected later this morning with up to 60 mph winds anticipated in some places.  New outages are expected.

Saturated ground, heavy rain, and high winds all combined to contribute to a significant number of outages all across the state.  Power restoration efforts are underway but will be slowed by downed trees and flooded roads. VEC is well prepared to restore power as soon as safely possible.  We have mutual aid crews lined up if needed and are prepared to offer assistance to other utilities when we are able.

VEC urges members who are without power to stay safe and keep the following in mind: