Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has joined Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.), members of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, in introducing the Montgomery GI Bill Parity Act, legislation that would enable members of the Guard and Reserve to concurrently use GI Bill benefts and Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) programs to fund their education.

Vermont Business Magazine Poetry at Bennington, a program of short-term residencies that brings established and emerging poets to Bennington College for public readings and close work with students, has been endowed with a gift of $4 million from longstanding donors to the College. This gift advances the endowment goal of the recently announced $150 million Bennington College capital campaign.

Vermont Business Magazine Speaking before some 1,000 alumni, parents, and friends last Tuesday at New York’s Lincoln Center, President Philip J Hanlon ’77 announced that supporters have committed more than $2 billion to The Call to Lead: a Campaign for Dartmouth, putting the historic fundraising effort at two-thirds of its overall goal. Attaining this milestone just 11 months after the campaign’s public launch—during Dartmouth’s 250th anniversary year—demonstrates the community’s shared commitment to Dartmouth’s distinctive model of education, to driving change that will improve the human condition, and to preparing students for lives of wise leadership.

“We are grateful for every gift to The Call to Lead,” President Hanlon told the cheering audience. “All gifts matter, not just the ones you read about. This is not a campaign where a handful of individuals or families determine our destiny. The best things we accomplish at Dartmouth we do as a community.”

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Olympic Snowboarder Alex Deibold will join leaders from iconic Vermont winter recreation businesses and advocates from Protect Our Winters (POW) to meet with the Vermont Legislature’s Climate Solutions Caucus to discuss the disastrous impact of climate change on the state’s winter economy and the urgent need for legislative action this year.

Vermont Business Magazine The Board of Directors of PC Construction have announced Jay Fayette, a South Burlington, Vermont resident, will serve as president and CEO of the employee-owned construction company. Fayette has been at the company for 24 years and most recently served as President and COO leading the company at a time of heightened competition and alternative project delivery methods.

by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) In Vermont and around the country, we have a major crisis in primary health care. Far too many people are unable to see a doctor or a dentist when they need one. Some people lack health insurance and can’t afford the care. For others, especially in rural areas like Vermont, there are simply no doctors or dentists nearby. The result is that patients become sicker than they should, and some eventually end up in emergency rooms. Others suffer unnecessarily and some even die. Meanwhile, our health care system wastes billions of dollars on expensive care that could be avoided by strengthening how we deliver preventative and primary care.

Vermont Business Magazine Sugarbush Resort has partnered with Protect Our Winters (POW) at their highest level of commitment, joining Patagonia, Burton, Aspen Snowmass, Clif Bar, North Face, REI, Ikon Pass, and other corporate leaders in the fight against climate change. POW focuses on educational, activist, and advocacy initiatives.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation was selected to receive funding for projects to help reduce food waste and loss and divert food waste from landfills by expanding anaerobic digester capacity in the United States. These projects further the federal government’s efforts set forth in the Winning on Reducing Food Waste Initiative.

 “Last fall, EPA, USDA, and FDA came together to create the Winning on Reducing Food Waste Initiative to elevate and streamline our efforts across the federal government,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Funding these innovative projects not only demonstrates EPA’s commitment to this initiative, but also supports waste management infrastructure that can transform food waste into fuel or fertilizer.”

Vermont Business Magazine The US Environmental Protection Agency is making grants available for New England communities to support EPA’s “Back-to-Basics” agenda to reduce environmental risks, protect and improve human health and improve the quality of life. EPA New England’s Healthy Communities Grant Program is accepting applications for projects that will benefit one or more New England communities. EPA plans to award about 10 cooperative agreements, for a total of approximately $250,000 under this funding opportunity. The deadline to submit applications is May 28.

“EPA is very pleased to continue to make funding available for New England organizations to address local environmental health concerns in their communities,” said EPA New England Acting Regional Administrator Deborah Szaro. “These projects can make a real difference protecting human health and the environment, and they are a great example of cooperative federalism in action.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is now accepting applications for the Vermont Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. The annual award recognizes leaders from across the state, celebrating the actions they have taken to advance environmental sustainability. DEC encourages Vermonters to nominate a business, school, community, or entrepreneur for a sustainability project they took on during 2018.

“This award is a great way to show our appreciation for Vermonters and Vermont businesses who are helping protect our environment,” said Governor Phil Scott. “I am proud of the innovative projects that Vermonters accomplish every year and look forward to acknowledging this year’s recipients.”

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont-based AgTech startup Seedsheet today introduced their new “Design Your Own” gardens feature for interactive customization of personal garden kits, along with a revamped website. The newly built, custom website features helpful tips and guides for maintaining a healthy garden for homegrown food, including individual profiles for over 85 plants that can be harvested with Seedsheet.

Vermont Business Magazine Five days after starting their walk from Middlebury, hundreds of climate justice activists arrived at the Vermont State House, calling for immediate legislative action to address the climate crisis. During the journey of over 60 miles, walkers highlighted the climate consequences of the build-out of the Vermont Gas pipeline, while also celebrating and promoting examples of climate solutions.