Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Berkshire Bank, with branches in southwestern Vermont, was recently named among the winners of the 2019 North AmericanEmployee Engagement Awards. The Employee Engagement Awards honor organizations that put workforce engagement at the heart of their business strategy. This year’s winners demonstrate that employee engagement is now central to organizational success across industries. The honorees span government, hospitality, healthcare, IT, pharmaceuticals, retail, service companies and transport.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State Treasurer Beth Pearce and Governor Phil Scott issued the following statement after Fitch Ratings, Inc. announced their decision on the State’s bond rating.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott on Wednesday afternoon announced the appointment of Mark Anderson as Windham County Sheriff. Anderson fills the vacancy left by his predecessor, Sheriff Keith Clark, who retired June 30 after 12 years as sheriff. Anderson brings more than 15 years of law enforcement experience to the role, including extensive expertise in budget management, drug recognition and records management.

Vermont Business Magazine Earlier today, crews began putting up construction fencing at City Hall Park to prepare for construction of park improvements. The park will be closed to the public starting today, with a goal of re-opening in fall of 2020. With this work, the city will be embarking on the first substantial improvement to the park in years. Opponents of the renovation have so far failed in their legal action to stop the project. They have vigorously fought against removing many of the trees targeted for removal.

Vermont Business Magazine Brattleboro Housing Partnerships today announced the re-organization of its management staff to accomplish major development projects and establish a new foundation for its continued success. According to BHP Board Chair Janet Cramer, effective January 1, 2020, Christine Hazzard will become the executive director of the agency and Christine Hart will remain to manage three major property development projects.

Christine Hart, left, and Christine Hazzard. BHP photos.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) today announced Rhonda Shippee has been appointed to its Board of Directors. Shippee, now retired, worked at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for 37 years, serving as Community and Business Program Director of USDA Rural Development for Vermont and New Hampshire. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The state is no longer counting on an outside force to upgrade the state’s broadband Internet coverage. There is not going to be a single Rural Electrification Act like from the 1930s or an Interstate highway push like from the 1950s. To get high-speed Internet to outlying areas, and even some in-lying ones, several different strategies involving public and private efforts are under way at the state level, but it ultimately will require a local effort to succeed. “No one is coming to save you,” said Representative Laura Sibilia.

Vermont Business Magazine AT&T said today that it has invested nearly $40 million in its Vermont wireless networks during 2016-2018. These investments boost reliability, coverage, speed and overall performance for residents and businesses. They've also improved critical services that support Public Safety and first responders using the FirstNet communications platform.

Vermont Business Magazine Albany, NY, FirstLight, a leading provider of fiber-optic data, Internet, data center, cloud and voice services to enterprise and carrier customers throughout Vermont and the Northeast, announced today that it has acquired Todd Cable Construction, based in Newport, NY.  FirstLight said this transaction will enhance its ability to expand its fiber network and facilitate continued growth by adding a proven team with robust construction capabilities and services. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Vermont Business Magazine The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) will hold hearings open to the public concerning the 2020 Vermont Health Connect insurance rates on Monday, July 22^nd (MVP Health Plan, Inc.) and Tuesday, July 23^rd (BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont) in Room 11 of the Vermont State House in Montpelier beginning at 8 am each morning.

Vermont Business Magazine Sunsoil, formerly known as Green Mountain CBD, planted its 2019 hemp crop on two times the acreage than in 2018, a testament to the brand's dynamic growth and expansion plans. This year, the company planted 100 acres with over 100,000 plants on its USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) certified organic farms in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. While Sunsoil has always farmed and used organic hemp in its products, the company recently received certification by Vermont Organic Farmers as a certified organic processor, a notable step toward communicating its portfolio as organic on its product labels.

Vermont Business Magazine US Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L Chao today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $477 million in airport infrastructure grants, the third allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports across the United States. Morrisville-Stowe will get nearly $1.5 million and NEK International will get over $200,000.