Current News

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.

Vermont Business Magazine Greater Burlington YMCA President & CEO Kyle Dodson announced today that NorthCountry Federal Credit Union has made an eighth annual gift of $100,000 to support Y Youth Development programs in the community. Combined with seven consecutive previous $100,000 gifts and earlier program funding, this brings NorthCountry’s support of the Y to more than $800,000 over a decade.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State Auditor Doug Hoffer today released the findings of a performance audit that details Medicaid monitoring and billing deficiencies at the Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA). In 2015, the State Auditor’s Office (SAO) discovered that there was no process to disenroll Dr. Dynasaur members from Medicaid for non-payment of premiums.

Vermont Business Magazine The State announced today that it has reached a final agreement with Saint-Gobain for the properties on Bennington’s east side affected by perfluooctanoic acid (PFOA) contamination. As part of the agreement, 245 homes on the east side of Bennington are eligible to receive municipal water service. In total, the state has now secured the extension of waterlines to 470 homes or businesses in Bennington and North Bennington.

Vermont State Police As part of the ongoing criminal investigation into the March 14 death of Douglas Kilburn in Burlington, the Vermont State Police has received formal notification that the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office has issued its determination of the cause and manner of Mr Kilburn’s death. The office listed the cause of death as “undetermined terminal mechanism due to multiple underlying conditions,” with the contributing conditions being “hypertension; cardiac and cerebral vascular disease; obesity; diabetes type 2; and skull fractures due to blunt impact.”

Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont encourages everyone to join the fight to reduce the effects of heart disease and stroke on women. This year Blue Cross affirms its strong commitment to the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women luncheon through a range of contributions, from financial support to event planning and staffing, and leading an event breakout session.

Vermont Business Magazine The Quechee Hot Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival,  the longest running hot air balloon festival in New England, has been named one of Five Spectacular Balloon Festivals in the US, according to Visit the USA.com, the official travel site of the USA, recently announced. The Quechee Hot Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival joins an impressive list of festivals that have been running for decades all over the nation, from Alabama to California, including the famed Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque in New Mexico.

Vermont Business Magazine FirstLight, a major provider of data, Internet and cloud services to enterprise and carrier customers in Vermont, announced today that is adding an encrypted wavelength solution to its suite of services. The solution is designed to support businesses that require a resilient, cost effective solution that simplifies end-user security management with an integrated web-based application network tool, without impacting performance.

Vermont Business Magazine Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, a 19-time Grammy award winner who has recorded more than 100 albums and performed on concert stages throughout the world, will deliver the main address and receive an honorary degree at Dartmouth’s 2019 commencement on June 9. Ma’s multifaceted career is a testament to his enduring belief in culture’s power to generate trust and understanding. Whether performing new or familiar works from the cello repertoire, collaborating with communities and institutions to explore culture’s role in society, or engaging unexpected musical forms, Ma strives to foster connections that stimulate the imagination and reinforce our humanity.