Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Employees at Southwestern Vermont Health Care gathered on Friday, March 1, 2019, for a photo to celebrate Dress in Blue Day in honor of Colorectal Cancer Screening Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States. Americans of average risk and age 50 and older should be screened every 10 years. According to the American Cancer Society, if Americans followed screening recommendations, the colon cancer death rate could be cut in half.  

by Brandon Arcari, Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Board of Trustees announced February 22 that Dr Suresh Garimella of Purdue University will be the university's next president. Trustees revealed February 4 that Garimella was the sole finalist candidate to replace Tom Sullivan as its next president. Sullivan plans to step down in the Summer of 2019. The Vermont Cynic, UVM’s student-run newspaper, was first to report that trustees had elected Garimella. Garimella currently serves as Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships at Purdue University. He is also a PhD in mechanical engineering. Garimella had been the presumptive new president when he met with the media February 14.

Vermont Business Magazine Stratton Mountain Resort announced today more than $6 million in capital spending for the 2019- 20 season. With this investment, guests will see further refinement to the Stratton experience from mountain biking and terrain based learning, to paving and lift operations.Continuing from last year’s investment, Stratton’s new lift serviced mountain biking is slated to open to the public in early August, pending permit approvals.

Vermont Business Magazine This March Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) will launch the new Measure What Matters workshop series, modeled after the B-Corp Impact Assessment, to help their members better support their communities, reduce the impact of their operations on the environment and to create the best workplace for their employees. This series provides business leaders the opportunity to learn from some of the best companies in New England, see how they measure up against industry leaders, and find new ways to improve their business operations. Workshop attendees will leave with ready to use tools for change and an expanded network of professionals who believe in business as a power for good.

Vermont Business Magazine A new Progress Report released today by Energy Action Network (EAN) highlights how meeting Vermont’s energy and emissions commitments will require state action far beyond what is already occurring, with major benefits awaiting Vermonters and the state economy. EAN, a Montpelier based non-profit, works with state and federal partners to compile the comprehensive total energy and emissions progress report for Vermont each year.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan today announced his intent to file a lawsuit against the federal government over a new Title X funding regulation. Title X is the only national federal grant program that is dedicated solely to providing comprehensive family planning and preventative health care. In Vermont, 10,000 people rely on Title X for their healthcare. The new rule includes a “gag rule” that limits providers’ ability to give neutral, factual information to their patients about abortion, and prohibits abortion referrals. The new rule also redirects funding priorities from the CDC’s birth control recommendations to only “natural family planning methods.” In Vermont, the only recipient of Title X funds are the 10 Planned Parenthood health care centers located around the state.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Student Assistance Corp is joining a 27-state effort to teach families the power of saving for education and training after high school.   The national campaign, launching today, dubbed “For Their Future” is led by College Savings Plan Network, part of the National Association of State Treasurers, with the goal to reduce college debt for new generations.

“Every dollar saved is a dollar you don’t have to borrow,” said Vermont State Treasurer Beth Pearce, who is the immediate past president of NAST. “Investing in education is the most important financial advantage you can provide for future generations. “On March 4 we start our march forth, joining together to set our kids and grandkids on a better path with 529s.”

Vermont Business Magazine In a statement Southern Vermont College President, David R Evans announced the decision by the college's board of trustees to close the college this summer after the New England Commission of Higher Education hearing on February 28. The commission was concerned about the financial viability of the college. SVC is based in Bennington. This is the second college closing announced in Vermont this year and also in southwestern Vermont. Green Mountain College in Poultney announced in January that it also would close at the end of this semester.

Leonine Public Affairs Lawmakers approached the unofficial halfway point of the legislative session with a flurry of activity in the committee rooms and on the House and Senate floor. It was the final week before the Town Meeting Day break, when lawmakers will return home to meet with constituents and attend Town Meeting Day festivities. When lawmakers return on March 12 they will have four days until the crossover deadline for policy bills on March 15. The crossover deadline for money bills is March 22.

Vermont Business Magazine Randolph officials have announced the hiring of Joshua Jerome as their new Director of Economic Development. Jerome will oversee economic development initiatives such as business recruitment, assessing work force housing, zoning regulations, infrastructure investments to allow growth and streamlining the permitting process. Jerome will also work to capitalize on existing successes that have brought new life and job opportunities to Randolph: expansion of LEDdynamics, which will bring an additional 40 jobs to the region; creation of the Randolph Region Re-Energized (R3) community group; coordination of skill needs by local businesses with education providers; and addressing the need for lodging for visitors by local businesses and others within our community.

Vermont Business Magazine The UVM Medical Center reached a tentative agreement late Friday on a new three-year contract for the 340 technical employees represented by the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals. This is the same union that represented nurses in bitter negotiations last year, but which also resulted in a new contract last September.

Vermont Business Magazine Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health CEO and President Joanne M Conroy, MD, has been named to Modern Healthcare’s inaugural listing of Women Leaders Luminaries. These are executives whose careers have been defined by reshaping the industry. They’re perennial figures in Modern Healthcare’s recognition programs. The profiles of all the winners are featured in the February 18, 2019 print issue of Modern Healthcare and at https://www.modernhealthcare.com/community/top-25-women/2019/.

In its either year, the biennial recognition program honors the top women healthcare executives who are influencing the policy and care delivery models across the country. In doing so, they are also highlighting the continued need to nurture diversity in our organizations.