Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Precision Tools, the Swanton manufacturer of high precision tools used in the automotive, medical and aeronautic industries, has added Career & Education Wellness, powered by VSAC, as a new benefit to provide employees and their families with enhanced education and training information.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott on Wednesday announced he’s appointed 100 Vermonters to State boards and commissions during the months of February and March. Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities.

The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website athttp://governor.vermont.gov/boards-commissions to apply.

Appointments made by the Governor during the months of February and March are listed below:

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Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center and Vermont HITEC, a not-for-profit education center, are now accepting applications for a no-cost 8-week Phlebotomy training program that will lead to guaranteed jobs upon successful completion. Up to 8 selected participants will attend an 8-week program starting June 3, 2019, with employment beginning July 29, 2019. There will be 6 part-time and 2 full-time positions available as Phlebotomists, enrolled in a Registered Apprenticeship with stepped-up performance-based wages. All positions are full-time or part-time with benefits at UVM Medical Center.

Vermont Business Magazine Former Vermont Governor Jim Douglas will deliver the commencement address at Castleton University's 232nd graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 18. Douglas was named the 80th governor of Vermont in 2002 and was re-elected for three terms with a majority of the vote. He was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in November 1972, and would become the House majority leader during his third two-year term at the age of 25. Douglas was elected Secretary of State in 1980, a post he held until 1992. He also served as Vermont state treasurer from 1995 to 2002.

"I believe that former Governor Jim Douglas will offer our graduates an important perspective about what can happen when we set aside our differences and focus our energy into creating positive change," said President Dr. Karen Scolforo. "I have no doubt his words will engage, encourage, and inspire."

Vermont Business Magazine Lamoille Housing Partnership (LHP) has announced that the affordable housing nonprofit has been chosen as the first beneficiary of the “Round It Up For Change” program recently launched by Morrisville Co-Op (MoCo.) During the months of April and May, MoCo will donate funds collected from rounded up purchases to Lamoille Housing Partnership. The Round It Up For Change program offers MoCo shoppers the option to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar every time they check out – funds collected will be donated to the bi-monthly chosen nonprofit by MoCo.

MoCo General Manager Michael Hauser describes the program as “a simple platform for fundraising that makes it easy on the donor, ensuring a high likelihood of success for the non-profits.” Now in its second year, MoCo “felt that it was ready to take on projects that not only benefit members and shoppers, but also the community in which we live and operate,” explains Hauser. 

Vermont Business Magazine Buoyed by an increase in its design and development clientele and a strong business climate in Connecticut, Synectic Product Development has invested more than $1 million to relocate from Milford, CT, to a newly-renovated, state-of-the-art facility in Woodbridge, CT. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mack Molding, based in Arlington, Vermont, Synectic serves as Mack’s product development and engineering services arm, focusing on design, research, development, and manufacturing of medical devices and consumer products. With more than 38 years of experience, Synectic has built specialties in design engineering, prototype fabrication, creating intellectual property, pre-clinical testing and manufacturing.

Vermont Business Magazine REI Co-op is opening its first location in Vermont this fall, bringing a wide assortment of quality gear, equipment rentals, experiences and expertise for the region’s most popular outdoor activities to Williston. The new 31,000-square-foot store will be located at Taft Corners Shopping Center, less than a hour's drive from world-class recreation opportunities in Mount Mansfield State Forest and Camel’s Hump State Park. REI Williston will also offer a specialty bike, ski and snowboard shop for customers who need tuning or repair services before venturing to the mountains.

by Jill Olson, Executive Director, VNAs of Vermont We’ve entered the home stretch of the 2019 legislative session. While there are still many weeks of debate ahead, several recent milestones delineate the framework of the debate for the remainder of the session. VNAs of Vermont staff have compiled a “crossover” report outlining the bills that are in play that impact home health and hospice services.

by Katie Keszey Last week, thirteen Community College of Vermont (CCV) students joined CCV president Joyce Judy for the annual Leadership Scholarship luncheon and award ceremony in Montpelier.

Vermont Business Magazine The Springfield Rotary Club held its annual "4-Way Speech Contest" at this week's meeting.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Land Trust is accepting applications for a new award to benefit Vermont farmers. The Eric Rozendaal Memorial Award has been established to honor Eric Rozendaal, a creative, innovative and enterprising farmer from Starksboro. After he passed away last summer, his family and friends raised funds to create an award in his memory, which is now managed by the Vermont Land Trust. One $5,000 award will be given annually for the next 10 years to a Vermont farmer who demonstrates Eric’s values of land stewardship, giving back, and entrepreneurial farming.

Vermont Research News is a bi-monthly curated collection of Vermont research from the University of Vermont Center for Research on Vermont -- focused on research in the Vermont "laboratory" -- research that provides original knowledge to the world and research that adds to understanding of the state's social, economic, cultural and physical environment.