Current News
by Brandon
Vermont Business Magazine The recently completed legislative session was dominated by a host of new legislative initiatives that will help those who make their living working the land, will grow the Vermont economy and make the Green Mountains more affordable. Legislators and Governor Phil Scott directed more dollars toward the Working Lands program, an investment that will help support viable agriculture, food and forestry businesses, with a specific focus on dairy farmers with valued-added production.
by tim
For ocean species to survive climate change, large populations needed
Vermont Business Magazine A Noah’s Ark strategy will fail. In the roughest sense, that’s the conclusion of a first-of-its-kind study that illuminates which marine species may have the ability to survive in a world where temperatures are rising and oceans are becoming acidic. Two-by-two, or even moderately sized, remnants may have little chance to persist on a climate-changed planet. Instead, for many species, “we’ll need large populations,” says Melissa Pespeni, a biologist at the University of Vermont who led the new research examining how hundreds of thousands of sea urchin larvae responded to experiments where their seawater was made either moderately or extremely acidic.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The Town of Colchester held a ribbon cutting Tuesday evening for the Roosevelt Highway Solar Array, one of two new large-scale solar projects that have been using energy and saving money since they came online in December 2018. These two farms will generate electricity to the equivalent of approximately 70 percent of the Town’s annual consumption. After payback of all capital and operating costs these projects are expected to reduce costs by $964,000 over the expected life of the arrays.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the national trade association for the U.S. solar industry, announced today that Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) is now an official SEIA affiliate. REV becomes the 15th SEIA state affiliate, and the first in New England, growing a network of organizations committed to building and advancing solar markets around the country.
“We are thrilled to see this partnership come together and to expand our affiliate footprint into New England,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA. “The state and region are ripe with solar potential, and we look forward to working with REV to build on our sector’s strength in the Green Mountain State.”
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) is offering a new bill credit for members purchasing electric lawn mowers. The new incentive, which adds to the list of several other VEC Energy Transformation Program incentives, takes the form of a bill credit of $1,000 for the purchase of commercial grade electric lawn mowers and $50 for the purchase of residential grade mowers.
by tim
by Richard Berkfield and McKenna Hayes, Food Connects At the 3rd Annual Southern Vermont Economic Development Summit, I hosted a panel exploring the value of tech within the rural economy and the many ways that it is impacting our communities. I’m compelled to share this experience with a wider audience.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum invites members and the public to its Annual Meeting and a showing of the 1935 film "Schlitz on Mt. Washington" at 5:30PM June 20, 2019. "Schlitz on Mount Washington," an entertaining 20-minute skiing farce is narrated by Lowell Thomas and shows where Warren Miller may have gotten some ideas for his later movies. The plot follows the adventures of the adventurous Dr Wolfgang Schlitz who attempts to climb Mt Washington armed with an umbrella and a well-travelled suitcase packed only with a formal dinner jacket and spirits.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine New owners – John and Cassie Tiffany – will be taking over management at Green Wind Farm and began by transitioning their animals to the organic land in Fairfield.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine After completing five years of service, Champlain College President Don Laackman has decided to step down, effective June 28, 2019. The Board of Trustees has accepted his resignation as announced in a letter to the college community today. Dr Laurie Quinn, Champlain's Provost and Senior Vice President for Academics, has been appointed Interim President, effective July 1, 2019. It is anticipated that she will serve in this capacity until a new permanent President begins.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine It was a short but successful season in the sugarbush. The 2019 Vermont maple syrup production totaled 2.07 million gallons, up 7 percent from the previous year, according to King Whetstone, Regional Director of the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Northeastern Regional Field Office. Vermont remains the top producing state in the nation. Vermont produces nearly half the national total and more than twice the next largest state (New York).
Production has been going up in recent years, despite a small slump in 2018, as more taps and more technology like vacuum taps and reverse osmosis machines increase yields and volume.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Three female founded startups were selected to receive cash awards totalling $35,000 at the seventh annual LaunchVT Demo Night. All eight startups in the 2019 cohort have been partnered with local businesses and will receive professional services worth over $100,000. Demo Night, LaunchVT’s annual investor showcase and pitch event, comes at the end of an eight week intensive program where entrepreneurs in the LaunchVT cohort work with a dedicated coach, strategic advisors, and each other to refine their business models, hone their pitches, and prepare for the future.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, announced that it has awarded $5,000 to Vermont Works for Women in Winooski. This brings the total grant amount from People’s United Community Foundation to $41,000 since 2010. Peoples also announced donations to Spectrum Youth and Family Services in Burlington, Mentor Connector, COTS, Mercy Connections, and the Intervale Center.