Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont-based NGO Food 4 Farmers has been named a nonprofit partner of 1% for the Planet, a global alliance of more than 1,200 member companies in 40 countries. Bluestone Life, a 1% for the Planet member, sponsored Food 4 Farmers. 1% is a collaborative platform to address environmental issues, with companies like Bluestone committing 1% of their revenues to environmental causes.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Procurement Technical Assistance Center (VT PTAC) is hosting a series of workshops throughout the State of Vermont on the recently released VTrans Job Order Contracts (JOCs). The JOCs will replace the Category I Maintenance and Rental Agreements (CAT I MRAs) currently in use. Experienced procurement counselors will assist Vermont contractors with understanding the new JOCs Response process in this two-hour workshop.

“This workshop is a valuable tool for existing VTrans CAT I contractors or any contractor looking for guidance on submitting a compliant bid proposal for this procurement opportunity,” said Bonnie Sanders, VT PTAC Procurement Specialist.

Intro to VTrans Job Order Contracts (JOCs) Workshops

COLCHESTER

Friday, February 22, 2019

9:00am - 11:00am

VTrans District 5 Office

189 Troy Ave, Colchester

Vermont Business Magazine Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL), a leading broadband and business communications provider and Vermont's largest telecom, has announced it has added a virtual intelligent agent application to its robust portfolio of products and services that improve and enhance how businesses communicate. Consolidated’s virtual agent tool is a cloud-based, intelligent automation solution that enables businesses of all sizes to automate many of the routine and repetitive conversations handled by live agents. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday issued an order granting certificates of public good to Champlain Broadband, and approving the sale of Burlington Telecom to Champlain Broadband, the local subsidiary of Schurz Communications from Indiana. This is the final stage of a process that the city began in 2014, with the resolution of the Citibank litigation and the transfer of assets to Blue Water Holdings, which allowed the city to stabilize its finances and improve its credit rating in order to save taxpayers millions. Bluewater will get $30.8 million and the city will get about $6.3 million.

In response, Mayor Miro Weinberger issued the following statement:

Vermont Business Magazine At a press conference today at Community Health Centers of Burlington, Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) unveiled legislation he has authored to provide relief from skyrocketing insulin prices to diabetes patients in Vermont and across the country. Welch's initiative authorizes the importation of safe, low-cost insulin from Canada and other qualified countries.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Scott today announced that Vermont will partner with the SANS Institute to bring the Girls Go CyberStart challenge to Vermont for a second year, providing high school girls with cybersecurity skills and career exploration opportunities. Girls Go CyberStart is a free, forward-thinking cybersecurity skills program designed to educate and inspire high school girls about the opportunities and rewards of a career in cybersecurity. In the program, students complete games and challenges in which they learn and apply cybersecurity skills including forensics, open-source intelligence, cryptography and web application security

Vermont Business Magazine For the third year in a row, Green Mountain Power earned a spot among the top ten most innovative energy companies in the world, landing at number five in Energy as Fast Company released its prestigious list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2019. GMP joins companies like Apple, Stitch Fix and Peloton on the list. Fast Company highlighted GMP’s groundbreaking work on grid transformation to cut carbon and costs with stored energy.

Vermont Business Magazine Beginning in 2019, completing the updated Vermont version of the Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, the W-4VT, will be more important than ever due to the new federal and Vermont income tax laws. The Vermont Department of Taxes recommends taxpayers update their Vermont W-4VT. The Form W-4VT was updated in January 2019, and even employees who recently updated their W-4s and W-4VTs should check to make sure that they used the most current forms to update withholding. Employers should make certain all new and existing employees complete the updated Form W-4VT.

Vermont Business Magazine Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) reported a fourth quarter 2018 loss per share of (36) cents on an as-reported basis and earnings per share of 60 cents on an operational basis (non-GAAP), which excludes the effects of special items. For the full year, the company reported 2018 earnings per share of $4.63 on an as-reported basis and $7.31 on an operational basis. The as-reported results for the quarter and full year reflected asset impairments and other expenses related to the strategic decision to exit the Entergy Wholesale Commodities (EWC) business.

Vermont Business Magazine AudioEye, Inc (NASDAQ: AEYE) today announced its partnership with Burlington-based Dealer.com, the premier digital marketing solution and partner for auto dealerships. With this partnership, Dealer.com websites will now have the option to include the AudioEye Ally Managed Service Solution, a technology solution that identifies and resolves issues of digital accessibility, to ensure all site visitors experience barrier-free access with an optimal user experience. AudioEye, located in Tucson, is a leader in cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) digital accessibility technology solutions that expands website access for individuals with disabilities while maintaining conformance with ADA-related requirements.

Vermont Business Magazine Grassroots Solar, Inc of Dorset, which has provided solar panels and expertise to Puerto Ricans recovering from Hurricane Maria, is extending its commitment there. In his initial foray, Bill Laberge, president of Grassroots Solar, trained electricians while installing a solar and battery system for a relative of one of his Vermont customers. Then he had donated solar panels delivered to the community, which were installed on a community center in Barrio de San Salvador, in the city of Caguas.

Vermont Business Magazine In 2018 Heroes Home Advantage partners were honored to give back over $17,616 to 6 different Heroes including military, firefighters, health careproviders, and teachers.