Current News

1% for the Planet, Burlington, Vermont We are so grateful for the support and inspiration from our network of members. To show our gratitude, we decided to recognize our members with our first annual People for the Planet Awards at this year’s Global Summit. The purpose in giving out these awards is not to single out solo performers, but rather to celebrate members who exemplify shared values and attributes that make our movement stronger and that illuminate the path for others to follow. Each one of our awards recognizes a different strand in the weave of our powerful network.

These awards were truly a collaboration with recognition not only from the 1% for the Planet network, but from around the globe as voting was shared through our social media channels and open to the general public. After thousands of votes cast, it was clear that support for our network members is strong. 

Vermont Business Magazine A new study from Business Roundtable finds that international trade supports 89,300 jobs in Vermont, representing more than one out of every five jobs in the state. Trade with Canada and Mexico alone supports 27,600 jobs in Vermont, highlighting the need to preserve and strengthen the North American trading relationship by passing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) this year. 

"The CEO members of Business Roundtable, who lead companies with more than 15 million employees, strongly support congressional passage of USMCA implementing legislation this year. We stand united to preserve and modernize North American trade, which supports over 12 million jobs and a strong U.S. economy," said Tom Linebarger, Chairman and CEO of Cummins Inc. and Chair of the Business Roundtable Trade & International Committee.

Vermont Business Magazine In a long-awaited opinion, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit today ruled that borrowers who took out loans from the Native American-affiliated online lender Plain Green can proceed with their nationwide RICO class action in Vermont federal court. The Second Circuit affirmed a May 2016 ruling by District Judge Geoffrey W Crawford and comes nearly two years after oral argument on Defendants’ appeals. Berman Tabacco of Boston and Gravel & Shea PC of Burlington are Lead Counsel in the case, Gingras, et al. v. Rosette, et al., No. 5:15-cv-00101-gwc (D. Vt.).

Vermont Business Magazine Encore Renewable Energy of Burlington announced today that the historic Silk Mill property on Emerald Street in downtown Keene, NH, has begun generating electricity from a new solar rooftop system. The mill produced decorative silk yarns from textile factory waste in the early 20th century, and today is a mixed-use commercial space for light manufacturing, office, storage, and retail tenants. Tousley Property Management, owner of the building and the new solar project, will cut its energy costs and lock in long-term savings on electricity through the system.

Vermont Business Magazine The Sisters of Mercy, who have served in the state of Vermont for 145 years, are preparing for the permanent closure of their Mount Saint Mary’s Motherhouse (convent) on Mansfield Avenue in Burlington this summer. Despite leaving this location, the Sisters say they will continue to maintain a strong presence in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Community College of Vermont (CCV) will offer seven new certificate programs beginning in the fall 2019 semester. The new certificate offerings are administrative medical assisting, clinical medical assisting, digital media production, funeral director, graphic design, media communications, and studio art. These join the College’s seven existing certificate programs to provide a comprehensive offering of high-value credentials that prepare students for the workplace or further education. Most certificates can be completed in just one year.

CCV academic dean Deborah Stewart says the new certificates were developed with Vermont’s workforce needs in mind. “CCV’s new certificates are the result of the College’s increased efforts to build flexible and innovative programs that meet the immediate needs of Vermont workers, while also providing them with stackable credentials.”

Vermont Business Magazine Junior Environmental Studies major Jillian Scannell has been named a 2019 Harry S Truman Scholar, one of only 62 college junior-year students in the country to win the highly competitive national award. The Truman Scholarship recognizes students who want to make a difference in public service and provides them with financial support for graduate study, leadership training and fellowship with likeminded students.

Scannell was selected for her environmental commitment and campus leadership.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont continues its safety streak to remain one of the safest states in the nation, according to research firm SafeWise. The Green Mountain State beats national rates for both violent and property crime. Vermont comes in with 2.07 violent crimes per 1,000, half the national rate of 4.49. And the safest cities did even better—each of them saw fewer than 1.50 violent crimes per 1,000 citizens.

The strong safety record continues when you look at property crimes across the state. Vermont had 19.89 incidents per 1,000, compared to 27.11 nationwide. The state’s safest cities were all below both national and state property crime rates.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and Commissioner of Public Safety Thomas Anderson today announced that the Department of Public Safety (DPS) will partner with Williston company Margolis Healy, to provide school safety planning, training and exercise assistance to Vermont schools. This partnership marks the second phase of a school safety strategy announced by the Scott Administration in February 2018, following the first phase of a statewide school safety assessment overseen by DPS.

Diane & Thomas Leavitt honored with Community Leadership & Activist Award 

Vermont Business Magazine Close to 400 business leaders, supporters and volunteers were on hand to celebrate Diane and Thomas Leavitt as they received the Alzheimer’s Association Community Leadership & Activist Award at the 10th Annual Reason to Hope Dinner on April 18th, at the Hilton Burlington. Thursday’s celebration has raised over $208,000 for Alzheimer’s care, support and research with more donations arriving daily in honor of the Leavitt’s. 

The Reason to Hope Dinner was led by Co-Chairs Donna Austin-Hawley and Nicole Carignan. Dr. Richard Schneider, President of Norwich University, and Honorary Chair Joseph Boutin paid tribute to Diane and Tom’s commitment their family and their many volunteer, personal and professional contributions to our community.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) filed proposed rules to reform licensing requirements for funeral directors, barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, and estheticians this month. These reforms fall under the scope of a Federal Department of Labor grant awarded to OPR last year and are part of a broader effort to update existing licensing regulations to better reflect the needs of Vermont professionals, consumers, and businesses.

“Because of our work on licensing reform at OPR, Vermont has become a national model for other states,” said Secretary Condos. “These rule filings showcase our approach: cutting red tape where it is necessary to find the right-fit regulation, and appropriate career development pathways, to grow our workforce and ensure protection for the public.”

Vermont Business Magazine BETA Technologies, an aerospace company specializing in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology and recharging pad technology, has been granted $78,742.50 by the Department of Economic Development’s Vermont Training Program. The grant will allow the startup company to train staff in critical areas. Specifically, funding will support aviation safety courses; pilot and flight instructor training, advanced software training and industrial high voltage electrical distribution system training.