Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont has joined a growing number of states keeping the U.S. on track to phase down climate-polluting hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, as Governor Phil Scott on Monday enacted a law curbing their use in home and business refrigeration systems, building chillers, insulating foams and aerosols. The governor signed S.30 barring the use of HFCs in major applications where there are safer alternatives, action that was hailed by environmental and public interest groups. HFCs have hundreds to thousands of times the heat-trapping power of carbon pollution, and both contribute to climate change.

Vermont Business Magazine Connor Mill-Built Homes, LLC (CMBH) in Middlebury has announced that Skip Wyer has been named Chief Executive Officer. Wyer will take on the day-to-day leadership of the company and will join CMBH’s board of managers.

by Betsy Bishop, President, Vermont Chamber of Commerce Prevailing post-adjournment reports have sidelined the praise both the Legislature and the Administration deserve for their contributions to Vermont’s economy. While it is tempting to continue debating the 2019 political turmoil, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce instead chooses to celebrate some of the many areas where legislators actively responded to the needs of the business community.

Vermont Business Magazine KeyBank, which operates nine branches across Vermont, has been named an honoree of The Civic 50 by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. The award recognizes KeyBank as one of the most community-minded companies in the United States.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Public Radio has won the 2019 national Edward R Murrow award for Overall Excellence in the small market radio category from the Radio Television Digital News Association. The Overall Excellence award is based on the scope and impact of what a news organization produces — including breaking news, newscasts, features reporting, continuing coverage and digital presence.

Vermont Business Magazine Nearly 300 more Vermonters will be able to upskill their careers over the next 12 months, thanks to a one-time appropriation of $500,000 in the state budget to Vermont Student Assistance Corp. VSAC’s nondegree grant program – newly renamed the Advancement Grant Program – provides adult Vermonters the opportunity to pursue training and credential programs that build the job skills for a variety of industries and occupations. The additional funding represents a 25% increase in the program.

Vermont Business Magazine While there has not been local opposition to what will be the most restrictive plastic bag law in the US, the national American Chemistry Council has issued a statement decrying Governor Phil Scott’s (R-VT) signing Monday of S113 (management of single-use products) that bans certain polystyrene foam foodservice packaging and plastic bags. Plastic bag manufacturers previously stated their opposition to the ban, saying that the replacement products, such as the heavy-duty reusable totes, are made overseas instead of in the US, like the standard plastic bag. The law bans grocery store plastic bags, but not those for produce. The standard paper grocery bag would cost customers 10 cents.

Vermont Business Magazine BioTek has announced that its Synergy H1 and Synergy Neo2 Hybrid Multi-Mode Readers and its Cytation 1 and Cytation 5 Cell Imaging Multi-Mode Readers are validated for use with the MitoXpress and pH-Xtra Assays from Agilent Technologies. The assays may be used alone or combined to measure metabolism in live cells. Instructional Applications Bulletins are available for each multi-mode reader detailing the specific parameters for optimized TRF performance with MitoXpress Xtra Oxygen Consumption, MitoXpress Intracellular Oxygen and pH-Xtra Glycolysis products.

Vermont Business Magazine North Country Hospital of Newport, Vermont was recently honored with an award for exceptional on-the-job safety performance during The MEMIC Group’s Annual Meeting of Policyholders. Only eight employers, out of more than 21,000 MEMIC policyholders across the country, received a 2019 award for workplace safety from the workers’ compensation insurance specialist.

Vermont Business Magazine Castleton University, in partnership with The University of Vermont's Center on Disability and Community Inclusion (CDCI) and the Vermont Assistive Technology Program, has opened an Assistive Technology Tryout Center on the Castleton University campus. Assistive Technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, or rehabilitative devices, software, or equipment that can help individuals with disabilities, as well as students with learning and attention challenges.

by John McClaughry The Long Range Transportation Plan of 1995 reaffirmed as the highest priority the maintenance and improvement of Vermont’s highways and bridges. Hardly anyone disagreed. But beginning in earnest in 2006, climate change activists have succeeded in progressively shifting the emphasis of transportation policy toward reducing CO2 emissions and defeating climate change. Gasoline and diesel fueled-transportation contributes 43% of Vermont’s carbon dioxide emissions.