Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Rebecca Holcombe became the first Democrat to announce her candidacy for Vermont governor. The former teacher, principal and Vermont Secretary of Education is seeking to use her experience as a lifelong educator "to create a Vermont that works for every Vermonter and expands opportunity to every corner of the state." She was Education Secretary under Governor Peter Shumlin and Governor Phil Scott, against whom she would run if she won the nomination. Scott has not yet announced his own candidacy, but is expected to seek a third term. Holcombe had been considered as a possible opponent. No governor has lost re-election since 1962, when Republican F Ray Keyser Jr lost to Democrat Phil Hoff.

Camp Ta-Kum-Ta Our 35th Summer Program is set to begin on July 21st where we will welcome approximately 75 Campers who have or have had cancer to have the time of their lives just being kids! At Camp Ta-Kum-Ta our campers get an experience that they would not be able to get anywhere else. Our campers will arrive at TKT in South Hero on Sunday, July 21nd, for a book themed week and will be greeted by an opening activity that will make story books come to life!

Vermont Business Magazine Hyperbaric Vermont is pleased to announce several exciting developments following a successful 2018 calendar year. Hyperbaric Vermont recently relocated it’s Colchester facility to 41 IDX Drive, Suite 271 in South Burlington, Vermont. This newer and brighter location allows Hyperbaric Vermont to continue to provide quality affordable treatment to patients while reducing rent and utility burdens.

Vermont Business Magazine More than 4,400 cyclists, walkers, rowers, and golfers raised a record-breaking $3.3 million at the Hanover for The 38th Annual Prouty, the largest charity challenge north of Boston. Each year on the second weekend in July people from all over the country join together to raise money for Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Money raised provides funding for pilot projects in cancer research, equipment for research labs and patient and family supportive services, which provides services like massage, reiki, creative arts and support groups.

Vermont Business Magazine Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), a leading discount closeout retailer headquartered in Rhode Island, celebrated the grand opening of its new store at 241 South Main Street in Rutland on Saturday. This 45,850-square-foot location, a former Hobby Lobby store, marks the retailer’s 139th store in the northeast and the second in the state of Vermont – the first located in St. Johnsbury. The opening restores vibrancy to this formerly-vacant retail location as well as creating 50 new jobs.

Vermont Business Magazine People's United Financial, Inc (NASDAQ: PBCT), the holding company for People's United Bank, NA, announced Monday an agreement to acquire United Financial Bancorp, Inc (NASDAQ: UBNK), the holding company for United Bank, in a 100% stock transaction valued at approximately $759 million. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals and the approval of United Financial Bancorp, Inc shareholders.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced an additional $1.5 million in funding to further enhance school safety and security. The Department of Public Safety is now accepting applications for grants to further build school security infrastructure. This second round of funding for the School Safety and Security Grant (SSSG) Program was included in the Capital Bill (Act 42), passed during this year’s legislative session and signed by Scott.

The $1.5 million will allow Vermont schools and supervisory unions to purchase enhancements to existing security systems or school infrastructure, as well as new school security systems or technology to enhance school safety.

by Lisa Ventriss, President of the Vermont Business Roundtable Early in my time at the Vermont Business Roundtable we authored a report titled Having the Courage to Change; it targeted our state’s looming workforce crisis. That was 2006. Children who were entering kindergarten that year are now graduating from high-school and the workforce crisis is no longer looming. As every employer knows, it’s here. And last week, a second major credit rating agency downgraded Vermont’s bond rating, citing the state’s aging population and shrinking workforce.

Vermont Business Magazine The Board of Directors of the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum in Stowe has selected Abby Chafee as their new Executive Director. "We anticipate that her infectious enthusiasm for skiing and riding, her extensive leadership and fundraising experience will mesh well with the Museum's goals for the future," say Board Co-Chairs Poppy Gall and Greg Morrill.

Vermont Business Magazine Community Capital of Vermont is looking for an executive director. If you know how to run a non-profit and have financial, economic development, or small business experience, you might be Community Capital's next Executive Director. The application deadline is July 24.

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment numbers fell last week as claims recede after a steep spike, which is typical for the end of school. Summer usually then brings low claim levels. Initial claims for the week of July 6, 2019, totaled 538, down 65 from last week. Claims were 68 more than they were at this time last year.

Altogether 3,748 new and continuing claims were filed, an increase of 53 from a week ago, and 22 fewer than a year ago.