Current News

Vermont Business Magazine People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, NA, today announced that it awarded $52,000 to Vermont non-profits during its most recent grant cycle. Funding was allocated to 11 non-profit organizations in support of activities that ranged from basic needs services and affordable housing initiatives, to education and workforce development programs. Some of the grant recipients included:

• Committee on Temporary Shelter, Burlington
• Groundworks Collaborative, Brattleboro
• Martha’s Kitchen, St. Albans
• The Mentor Connector, Rutland

The People’s United Community Foundation also contributed 19 percent of its funding to local United Way organizations across its footprint through the People’s United Bank employee match campaign. Recipients included United Way of Northwest Vermont, United Way of Rutland County and United Way of Windham County.

Vermont Business Magazine The Trump administration’s Title X gag rule took effect Thursday in every state but Maryland, after a ruling by a panel of the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Just Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed a spending package that would block the gag rule from being implemented, Planned Parenthood said in a statement, because it’s dangerous, it’s unethical, and it’s illegal –– and now the Senate must act.

Planned Parenthood is the only Title X provider in Vermont. Trump’s gag rule makes it illegal for health care providers in the Title X program to refer patients for abortion, and also blocks access to care at Planned Parenthood by imposing cost-prohibitive and unnecessary “physical separation” requirements. Planned Parenthood has a limited emergency fund that will allow affiliates to continue care for patients in the short term, while seeking further emergency relief from the 9th Circuit.

Vermont Business Magazine Bardo: A Night In The Life took home a New England Emmy award this weekend for audio work by Dave Rice, Audio Engineer; Josh Sicard, Sound Technician; and Joe Egan, Audio Mixer. Bardo is a collaboration between Vermont PBS and Higher Ground to transport viewers from live performances to the life of the performer. The series combines behind-the-scenes conversations between host Ryan Miller of the band Guster and an exciting array of artists, with live HD concert footage filmed by Vermont PBS at Higher Ground.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Teddy Bear Company has announced big plans to celebrate 38 years in Bear business: A birthday bash of epic "paw-portions." On Saturday, June 29^th from 11am – 2pm, the sprawling Vermont Teddy Bear campus in Shelburne will be host to this FREE event, open to Bear lovers of all ages, shapes and sizes. The birthday celebration will feature diverse activities and food options the whole family can enjoy, while the factory's daily tours and retail shop will be operating and open to all visitors.

Free Family Activities

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced actions on the final group of bills passed by the Legislature. Bills delivered with a message or statement are noted and linked below. They included S18, the consumer justice bill. Scott said he did not object to the essence of the bill but believes it may well be pre-empted by federal law and thus not provide the assurances consumers in Vermont might assume with its passage. But he let it become law without his signature in any case.

On June 19, Governor Scott signed bills into law of the following titles:

Vermont Business Magazine At a public ceremony Thursday in Dover, Governor Phil Scott signed H513, An act relating to broadband deployment throughout Vermont, which invests in expanding broadband connectivity throughout the state.

Vermont Business Magazine This week Governor Phil Scott signed three bills, which will support the state’s economic and workforce development efforts. They expand worker recruitment initiatives, grow the emerging distilled spirits industry and streamline infrastructure projects at state airports. Governor Scott signed S162, which supports economic development at airports, and H13, which supports the spirits and craft beverage sector, during a public ceremony at Caledonia Spirits’ new production facility and tasting room in Montpelier on Wednesday. A third bill, H533, aimed at expanding Vermont’s workforce and other economic development initiatives, was signed Thursday.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement as he voted in support of joint resolutions to block the transfer of $8 billion in weapons to Saudi Arabia and other states in response to President Trump’s announcement of a “national emergency” over Iran, which was intended to bypass statutory Congressional oversight over arms sales.

Vermont Business Magazine Jensyn Acquisition Corp (NASDAQ: JSYN), a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) and Peck Electric Company, a leading commercial solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company, announced today that they completed their previously announced combination. The business combination was approved by Jensyn’s stockholders on June 19, 2019, with more than 87% of the voted shares voting in favor of the business combination. Holders of 492,037 shares of Jensyn common stock exercised their redemption rights in connection with the business combination.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Kristi Morris, of Springfield, to complete the term of Representative Robert Forguites, following his passing earlier this year. “I’m pleased to appoint Kristi to the House of Representatives and appreciate his enthusiasm for serving the people of Springfield,” said Governor Scott. “His engineering, management and business experience will bring an important perspective and expertise to his work and will be valuable to the Legislature.”

Vermont Business Magazine Twenty-four Vermont food producers will participate in the Summer Fancy Food Show hosted by the Specialty Food Association in New York City from June 23^rd through June 25^th. The event is North America's largest marketplace devoted to specialty food and beverage producers. Exhibiting offers specialty food producers the chance to connect and promote their products to national and international buyers across every major buying channel.

Vermont Business Magazine Electric net fencing, secure housing and a few other measures can help protect back yard chickens from wildlife predation; Vermont’s turtles on are on the move again this spring, and Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is asking for the public’s help in keeping them safe; there are still openings for youth at the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Departments Green Mountain Conservation Camps.