Current News

Burlington Telecom finally transferred to Schurz Communications

Vermont Business Magazine Over the last two days, the City of Burlington closed on the transfer of Burlington Telecom to Schurz Communications, marking the final step in the resolution of the city’s years-long financial crisis. The closing was announced Wednesday afternoon by Mayor Miro Weinberger. The closing follows the City Council’s 2014 unanimous decision to transfer Burlington Telecom to Blue Water LLC as part of the settlement agreement with Citibank; the Vermont Public Utility Commission’s February 19, 2019, order to grant certificates of public good and approve the sale; and Monday’s City Council 11-1 vote to authorize the final transaction between Blue Water LLC and Champlain Broadband, which is the local affiliate of Schurz Communications. Schurz is based in South Bend, Indiana. Despite the ownership change, it will still go by Burlington Telecom.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Senate today gave preliminary approval of a measure that would for the first time regulate so-called third-party administrators, the firms that handle Vermonters’ health reimbursement arrangements, health spending accounts and flexible spending accounts. The measure, supported by Vermont-NEA as well as the administration of Gov. Phil Scott, emerged a year after thousands of educators’ medical claims and spending accounts were mishandled in the wake of new health insurance plans that went into effect on January 1, 2018. 

Many of those educators are still sifting through the chaos wrought by the failure of third-party administrators to properly process claims and reimbursements. Many educators and their families avoided medical procedures, left prescriptions unfilled, and were refused care because of unpaid bills. Some were also threatened with collection agencies because of the unpaid bills.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Attorney General Donovan and attorneys general from Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Wisconsin today joined the coalition challenging President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency and his attempt to divert funding appropriated by Congress for other purposes. With these additional states, the coalition challenging the declaration includes 20 attorneys general. The coalition alleges that the Trump Administration’s emergency declaration and diversion of funds is unconstitutional and otherwise unlawful. The group seeks to block the Trump Administration’s emergency declaration, the unauthorized construction of the border wall, and any illegal diversion of Congressionallyappropriated funds.

by Doug Hoffer, Vermont Auditor of Accounts State government is a large and complicated enterprise. People understand the basic mission (i.e., public safety, health & well-being, infrastructure, etc.), but, for most, the inner workings are largely obscure. Some Vermonters try to learn about state government by seeking the documents that describe the mission, funding, and performance of state agencies. These documents include: budgets, performance reports, strategic plans, and information about contracts with vendors, among others.

by Patricia Moulton, President of Vermont Technical College Vermont’s clean and “green” reputation is alive and well. Yes, Vermont is the Green Mountain State, but it is also a leader in clean energy initiatives that boosts the other “green”- our economy. The current statewide pledge of 90 percent renewable energy by 2050 is an important initiative to keep Vermont green and bring home the gr$$n to its economy!

Vermont Business Magazine Students from Essex High School demonstrated their mastery of financial concepts by beating out eight other teams to win the 2019 Vermont Treasury Cup Challenge, a daylong financial education tournament hosted by Vermont State Treasurer Beth Pearce. High schoolers from across Vermont traveled to the State House on March 8^th to test their knowledge of personal finance, economics, and consumer affairs. Second place was won by students from South Burlington High School organized by teacher Jim Shields. Third place went to Missisquoi Valley Union High School students led by educator Jacob Hartman.

Vermont Business Magazine The Northeast Kingdom Young Professionals Network (NEK YPN), a committee of the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to present opportunities to engage and collaborate around the region in the month of March. NEK YPN will represent its work as a part of the new Women LEAD initiative on Monday, March 25, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Eastside Restaurant and Pub, 47 Landing St., Newport. The event is a free fundraiser and mixer, designed to share upcoming leadership opportunities for females in the Northeast Kingdom.

Vermont Business Magazine Vice President Mike Pence addressed credit union leaders Tuesday morning at the Credit Union National Association’s Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, DC. Included in his remarks he acknowledged the accomplishments of Vermont's Sara DeLance, from the Heritage Family Credit Union in Rutland, who was in attendance. DeLance rose from a part-time cashier to senior vice president and last year was named a Vermont Rising Star.

In his remarks, Pence said, "The men and women who run America’s credit unions — each one of you and all those you represent — you really do incredible work every day.  There’s really too many stories to tell today, but let me mention a few.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Edgemont Owners Association, Inc, which operates the public drinking water system serving the Edgemont Condominiums in Killington, was fined $11,250 for failing to take required response measures after a test of the its drinking water system revealed lead levels above the federal action level.

Vermont Business Magazine CashorTrade, the world’s first social network where fans can buy, sell, or trade tickets at face value, has announced the closing of their first seed round. The Burlington-based tech startup raised $400,000, which will be allocated to expanding the CashorTrade staff and services. Additions are under way to the Customer Service, Communications, and Engineering teams in preparation for imminent platform updates.  

The funding will enable CashorTrade’s expanded team to build new features that their users have asked for, including offering a money-back guarantee on transactions made through the platform. Future plans include updates to the user interface and software that will reward fans for buying and especially selling on the platform.

​Vermont Business Magazine The strength and dedication of its employees will ensure Gifford Health Care’s future success, President and CEO Dan Bennett told several dozen community members gathered for the Randolph organization’s 113th Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 9, at Gifford Medical Center.

Vermont Business Magazine On a cold winter day, Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region (CHCRR) volunteers cooked up an award-wining batch of vegetarian chili at the Rutland Chamber of Commerce Chili Cook Off. “We’d never before won a prize,” said Jill Jesso-White, the CHCRR compliance officer and chili cook. “But we have always paid attention to food and nutrition and as part of our focus on health and wellness for our patients as well as our employees.” CHCRR volunteers kicked off National Nutrition Month with this delicious and nutritious recipe developed by CHCRR volunteers.