Current News

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.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center is one of 25 hospitals to be honored this year for Environmental Excellence by Practice Greenhealth, a leading national advocate for sustainable practices in health care. The Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award, Practice Greenhealth’s highest honor for hospitals, recognizes efforts to address links between the environment and human health, use data to demonstrate successes, and show leadership in their local communities and across the health care sector.

Vermont Business Magazine Funding is now available for organizations and projects in Orleans, Essex, and Caledonia Counties through the Northeast Kingdom Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation. The fund awards modest grants up to $5,000 in support of projects that benefit the people and communities of the Northeast Kingdom. Nonprofits, schools, and grassroots organizations are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. September 3, 2019.

The Northeast Kingdom Fund was established in 2011 by the Community Foundation and local partners as a permanent philanthropic resource to support the people and communities of Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties. Visit vermontcf.org/nekfund to learn more and apply.

Vermont Business Magazine US Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L Chao announced June 24 that the Federal Aviation Administration will award $495 million in airport infrastructure grants, the second allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports across the United States. Morrisville-Stowe State Airport, Northeast Kingdom International and the Franklin County State Airport were the beneficiaries of nearly $1 million in the FAA grants.

Vermont Business Magazine Forty-five Vermonters who have taken employer-sponsored Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) classes, in partnership with the Community College of Vermont (CCV), have earned a combined total of more than 1,100 college credits. APL is part of CCV’s Prior Learning Assessment program, which provides college credit for knowledge gained in the workplace, in the military, or through volunteerism.  

CCV’s director of prior learning assessment, Melissa DeBlois, says the program offers employees a path to reaching their full professional potential. “Whether they need a degree, certificate, or a certain number of credits to continue their professional development and growth within an organization, prior learning assessment can help.”

Vermont Business Magazine Dousevicz Inc and Heidenberg Properties Group have joined forces to develop an independent, assisted and memory care housing community adjacent to the Berlin Mall. Following the Town of Berlin Development Review Board’s approval of zoning applications for 98 units of senior housing—the first development of its kind in Berlin—the project has moved to the next key phase, with Dousevicz Inc submitting an application for an Act 250 permit.