Current News

Vermont Business Magazine On Thursday, July 18, the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration will host a roundtable in Burlington, Vt., at Hilton Burlington – 60 Battery Street. The event will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The purpose of this event is to gain valuable insight into which specific federal regulatory burdens present the biggest barriers to small business growth.

Vermont Business Magazine Meredith Corporation's (NYSE: MDP) Travel + Leisure has announced the World's Best Awards 2019, revealing the top travel destinations and companies in the US and around the globe. The Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford, Vermont, was rated the Best Resort Hotel in the Northeast. Results of this 24th annual readers' survey, in which discerning Travel + Leisure readers rated their experiences, are now featured on www.TravelandLeisure.com/worlds-best and span over 90 category lists, including worldwide rankings.

Vermont Business Magazine In June, Stone Environmental accepted an Engineering Excellence Merit Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Vermont (ACEC-VT) for an innovative green stormwater infrastructure design and implementation project for the Oak Street drainage area in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.

. . . Senators Demand To Know Whether Family Separations Will Occur During Upcoming Immigration Raids

Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), joined by fellow Appropriators Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) – who also serve as the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration, respectively – Thursday sent an urgent letter to the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement requesting confirmation whether family separations have been approved as part of the upcoming ICE raids. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today detailed efforts to increase electric vehicle use in Vermont as part of the state’s emissions reduction goals.

“Electrifying the transportation sector will help clean the air and keep millions of dollars within our economy,” said Governor Scott. “While more work needs to be done, Vermont has taken strong steps toward a renewable transportation sector. Accelerating vehicle electrification will continue to be a priority of my Administration.”

Funding is now available for organizations and projects in Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Shaftsbury, and Woodford through the Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth at the Vermont Community Foundation. The fund awards grants up to $4,000 for creative and effective initiatives that support, educate, and empower Bennington area youth, particularly low-income and disadvantaged youth, to be engaged and successful in school, work, community, and life. Nonprofits, schools, and grassroots organizations with a fiscal sponsor are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. September 5, 2019.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Winooski-based BioTek Instruments Inc, will be acquired by Agilent Technologies of Santa Clara, CA, for $1.165 billion, or a whopping seven times annual revenues. BioTek CEO Briar Alpert made the announcement this morning. The deal between BioTek, a life-science tool and software firm, and Agilent (AJ-i-lent), with whom they’ve partnered, will close during the fourth quarter of this year.

Vermont Business Magazine Bullrock Solar, The UVM Health Network Porter Medical Center and The University of Vermont Medical Center announced that through a collaborative effort and a renewable initiative, The UVMHN Porter Medical Center will be the beneficary of an 800-kilowatt solar field developed and constructed by Bullrock Solar and located in Addison, VT. Outgoing UVMHN Porter Medical Center President, Dr. Fred Kniffin has led this initiative to reduce the environment footprint of the hospital. This project represents a significant step toward achieving that environmental goal, additionally it is anticipated that the electrical savings from the solar array will be greater than $650,000 over the next 25 years.

Vermont Business Magazine In June, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC)’s was honored by the Woodstock community with the Annette Compton Fiertz Award. The award recognizes outstanding contributions by individuals or organizations that advance the Woodstock Trails Partnership goals of trail stewardship, outreach and education, volunteerism, and partnership development that supports and enhances the Woodstock trail network. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fresh Network (VFN) invites the public to a delicious tour through Vermont’s finest food and beverages at their 23rd Annual Forum Dinner on Sunday, August 4. Vermont’s chefs and farmers will gather on the shores of Lake Champlain to prepare a grazing dinner celebrating local food. Hosted in the Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms, guests begin the evening with a 5 p.m. cocktail hour when the courtyard is filled with local food producers offering food and beverage tastings. The cocktail hour participants reflect Vermont’s continued leadership in food and drink, from award winning Vermont cheese and beer to products that use maple in unique ways from sparkling water to infused syrup with locally-foraged mint for cocktails.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Fish & Wildlife will now be closing its Hammond Cove Shooting Range in Hartland for two weeks starting July 15, rather than on the earlier announced date of July 8, in order to remove lead projectiles from the long gun and pistol berms. 

Vermont Business Magazine ACORN’s 12th annual Tour de Farms, one of Vermont’s oldest cycling farm tours, is returning to Vergennes, Charlotte and Ferrisburgh. On Saturday, September 21, riders will be welcomed at Adam’s Berry Farm, Boundbrook Farm, Brenderwalk Farm Stand, Nea Tocht Farm, Pelkey's Blueberries / Charlotte Village Winery and Philo Ridge Farm for a day full of fresh flavors. The tour features a 30-mile route, as well as a shorter, family-friendly 10-mile route for those who prefer a more relaxed adventure.