Current News

Vermont Business Magazine In recognition of Senator Patrick Leahy’s decades of support for important research and teaching initiatives, the University of Vermont today unveiled a new $3.3 million  fund that will pay tribute to Senator Leahy and his wife Marcelle. The new fund will benefit undergraduate, doctoral and post-doctoral students in two signature programs at the university, the UVM Honors College and the Gund Institute for Environment.

Vermont Business Magazine While weekly unemployment numbers have been inching up in recent weeks, they accelerated that trend last week, but are on par with totals from a year ago. Initial claims for the week of October 19, 2019, totaled 392, up 84 from last week but one fewer than they were at this time last year. Altogether 2,222 new and continuing claims were filed, an increase of 84 from a week ago, and 302 fewer than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine Through a competitive bid process, the state of Vermont has selected NIC’s Vermont Information Consortium (VIC) as its state digital government services provider. The new enterprise services contract is for three years with one three-year renewal option, continuing VIC’s commitment to providing efficient and convenient digital government services to citizens and businesses across the state.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) today announced its financial summary for the 2019 fiscal year. VEDA approved 231 new loans, providing $87.9 million in financing assistance to Vermont entrepreneurs, manufacturers, small businesses, and agricultural enterprises. "It was a record year for our small business loan programs, with over $10.5 million in approved financing for a key sector that drives job creation and our state's economic vitality. Our loan programs provide access to capital at affordable rates for small businesses," said Cassie Polhemus, VEDA's Chief Executive Officer. "Some other trends we're seeing across the state include downtown revitalization projects, continuation of solar installations and diversification strategies from our dairy farmers."

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont) Thursday reintroduced their legislation requiring the government to have reasonable suspicion or probable cause to search or seize Americans’ electronic devices at the border.  Currently, under the so-called “border search exception” to the Fourth Amendment, US government officials can seize or search Americans’ laptops, cell phones and other devices without any showing of probable cause to believe the device may contain illicit content. This raises serious constitutional concerns.

Vermont Business Magazine In a joint statement issued Thursday afternoon, "The Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA) and Secretary of Administration Susanne Young are pleased to announce the State and three bargaining units represented by VSEA, namely the Supervisory, Corrections and Non-Management Units, covering approximately 6000 state employees, reached a tentative agreement on a new two-year contract that will commence July 1, 2020."

"The details of the agreement will be released once the ratification process, requiring the approval of VSEA’s members, is complete.

"Bargaining for this contract commenced in August and has continued on a weekly basis. Agreement was ultimately achieved over two days of mediation with the assistance of Federal Mediator Annie Rutsky."

Source: Montpelier, Vt. – Secretary of Administration Susanne Young 10.24.2019

Vermont Business Magazine Flanked by store owners, hunting and angling groups and supporters of outdoor recreation, Governor Phil Scott in Barre today recognized the important contribution hunting, fishing and related activities have in strengthening and diversifying Vermont’s economy. A new report by the US Department of Commerce finds that Vermont is fourth among states when measured by contribution of outdoor recreation to Gross Domestic Product. This is greater than states like Alaska, Florida and Colorado.

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Craig Cowles, 51, of Richmond, pleaded not guilty today in United States District Court in Burlington to tax-related fraud charges. US Magistrate Judge John M Conroy released Cowles on conditions pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

On September 25, a federal grand jury in Rutland returned an indictment charging Cowles with five counts of tax evasion and 14 counts of structuring bank transactions to avoid currency reporting requirements. According to the indictment, Cowles is the owner of Cowles Excavating, an earth-moving business located in Richmond.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Gas (VGS) and NG Advantage (NGA) announced today a first-of-its-kind initiative to deliver renewable natural gas (RNG) to business and institutional customers – including hospitals – through VGS’ pipeline and NGA’s virtual pipeline infrastructure. This unique partnership allows NGA’s twenty-six current customers and new customers across New England and New York to take advantage of RNG, a benefit that until now has only been available to pipeline-connected users. Before NGA began service in 2013, these customers used No. 2 and No. 6 oil and some even used “bunker fuel” for their process and/or space-heating energy needs.

Vermont Business Magazine Is your local school looking for a great guest speaker? Would students in your town be interested in a field trip to learn how electricity gets delivered across northern Vermont?

Vermont Business Magazine A new study shows the nation is nearing Great Recession levels of mortgage refinancing and Vermont ranks No. 3 among states with the lowest level of recent refinancing. Meanwhile, many of the same culprits from back then (Arizona, Florida, Nevada) are leading the refi boom. It has taken nearly a decade for home values to rebound after the housing bubble burst and homeowners are once again taking advantage of their equity.