Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment numbers rose modestly last week. Claims had spiked to nearly a 1,000 in April but about half of that peak now. Claims for the week of May 11, 2019, totaled 434, up 54 from last week. Claims were 77 more than they were at this time last year.

Vermont Business Magazine Police officers from across Vermont, family members, state and federal officials, and members of the public will gather Friday, May 17, 2019, at the Vermont Police Academy in Pittsford to pay tribute to law-enforcement officers and other first responders who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Vermont Business Magazine FirstLight, a leading provider of fiber-optic data, Internet, data center, cloud and voice services to enterprise and carrier customers in Vermont and throughout the Northeast, announced Thursday that it has acquired Maine Fiber Company (“MFC”). This transaction will further enhance its fiber network throughout the State of Maine. 

Vermont Business Magazine Union Bankshares, Inc (NASDAQ – UNB), the parent company of Union Bank in Morrisville, today announced the results of voting at the company’s annual meeting of stockholders held on May 15, 2019. Approximately 87% of the Company’s outstanding shares of stock were represented at the meeting. Incumbent directors Steven J. Bourgeois, Dawn D. Bugbee, John M. Goodrich, Nancy C. Putnam, Timothy W. Sargent, David S. Silverman, John H. Steele, Schuyler W Sweet and Neil J. Van Dyke were reelected to a one-year term. At the annual meeting the shareholders also elected Joel S. Bourassa for the first time to a one-year term on the Union Bankshares Board of Directors. Election of directors was by plurality vote.

Vermont Business Magazine New England is expected to have sufficient resources to meet peak consumer demand for electricity this summer under both typical and extreme weather conditions, according to ISO New England Inc, the operator of the region’s bulk power system and wholesale electricity markets. This summer, under typical weather conditions, electricity demand is forecasted to peak at 25,323 megawatts (MW). Extreme summer weather, such as an extended heat wave, could push demand up to 27,212 MW. More than 32,000 MW of capacity is expected to be available to meet New England consumer demand for electricity.

by Tom Rogers, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department Vermont is a wildlife viewing showcase.  With a variety of habitats for wildlife to choose from, Vermont contains vast green woods, bogs straight out of a fairy tale, and even alpine tundra on top of its highest peaks. The state is an avian crossroads, where snowy owls spend the winter and magnolia warblers spend the summer. From birds singing to moose bugling to fish jumping, here are Vermont’s premiere wildlife watching opportunities.

Get splashed by trout jumping up Willoughby Falls

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Electric Department (BED) launched a new electric lawn mower (E-mower) rebate campaign, called Mow Electric, which will help the Burlington community fight climate change and provide BED customers with the opportunity to save money with a $100 rebate on residential E-mowers and a $3,500 rebate on commercial-grade E-mowers.  BED is the first utility in Vermont to offer residential E-mower rebates and the utility offering the largest commercial E-mower rebates in the state. The potential environmental benefits of mowing electric are significant, with one study suggesting that the pollutioncaused by one hour of operating a gas-powered lawn mower is equivalent to driving one car for 160 miles.

Vermont Business Magazine The following street closings are planned in conjunction with the University of Vermont’s commencement ceremonies over the weekend, provided the weather is good and ceremonies are held outside on the UVM green.

​Vermont Business Magazine On Sunday, May 12th, the Marlboro College community celebrated the college’s latest graduates with a ceremony in Persons Auditorium. Degrees were conferred upon a total of 49 graduates, including 26 undergraduates and 23 graduate students, who were applauded for their Plans of Concentration, Capstone projects, and many other accomplishments.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is launching two new rebate programs for customers looking to green up their heating and cooling, and their commutes. GMP customers can get a $400 rebate when they buy a cold climate heat pump. Customers can also get a $200 rebate when they buy an electric bicycle at participating Vermont bike shops.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Environmental Consortium and Vermont Technical College (VTC) announced that registration is open for their annual environmental Conference, The State of Vermont’s Water. The conference will be held June 11, 2019 at VT Technical College in Randolph, VT. The conference will include topics like groundwater and storm water rule updates, nitrates and chloride in water, agricultural best practices, permits, and more.

Vermont Business Magazine The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) announced Wednesday that Grace Oedel will be leading the organization as its new executive director, starting July 1, 2019. During the last 30 years, under the leadership of the late Enid Wonnacott, NOFA-VT has grown to become an active, thriving organization deeply woven into the fabric of Vermont agriculture, with a $2.6 million operating budget encompassing many diverse programs managed by a team of 20 talented staff. NOFA-VT has a devoted Board of Directors, and a passionate and committed membership.