Current News
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Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington School District Board of School Commissioners and the Burlington Education Association (BEA) jointly announce that on January 10, a new contract teachers’ contract for the 2019-2020 school year was ratified by both parties. The renewed collective bargaining agreement covers the maximum length of time allowed by Vermont law for this round of bargaining.
The new contract provides an average salary increase of 3.5% and expanded HRA benefits and support for teachers.
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Focuses on civility, affordability, labor force, more people broadens tax base, early education, clean water, electric cars
by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Following an elaborate ceremony featuring foreign dignitaries from Mexico and Canada, the introduction of past Governors Shumlin and Douglas, swearing in of constitutional officers and his own swearing in, Governor Phil Scott today delivered his second inaugural address, calling for collaboration to address Vermont’s most significant challenges. To address Vermont’s demographics - and the ripple effects of those trends on the economy and affordability - the governor emphasized a sense of urgency to expand Vermont’s labor force.
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Vermont Business Magazine On January 9, 2019, the Secretary of State Jim Condos and Department of Financial Regulation Commissioner Michael Pieciak signed a memorandum of understanding outlining their collaborative efforts to explore emerging blockchain technology and its use in the digital recordkeeping practices of the captive insurance industry.
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Vermont Business Magazine The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC), the Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NRPC), the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District (WNRCD) and the Franklin County Conservation District (FCCD) are pleased to announce expanded outreach and services to landowners, municipalities and the public in support of the Vermont Clean Water Act (VCWA) and improved tactical basin planning efforts for Basin 5, the Northern Lake Champlain Direct Drainages. The work is provided through two grants provided by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. Activities began in late 2018 and will extend through the fall of 2019.
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Vermont Business Magazine The latest winter storm in Vermont left more than 4,000 utility customers without power and that’s a small number compared to a November storm that knocked out power to more than 100,000 homes and businesses. According to Waterbury's SunCommon, a growing number of Vermonters are choosing to protect themselves from a less reliable electricity supply with solar powered batteries that kick in when the power goes out.
“It’s amazing because, with solar panels and a battery backup, there’s no interruption during a power outage. The clocks don’t even blink when it switches from the grid to the powerwall. We still had lights, we could use the phone and we didn’t have to stress over the food in our freezer.”
Eric Bauernschmidt, West Windsor
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Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center has awarded $350,000 in grants for community programs that address homelessness, substance abuse, mental health issues, children’s nutritional needs, chronic medical conditions and other physical and socioeconomic barriers to overall good health.The program grants are part of $930,000 in spending through the Community Health Investment Fund for the 2019 fiscal year.
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by Lawrence Zupan Can somebody help me to imagine what the representatives of the State of Vermont, with the 50th or lowest carbon emissions of all states in the Union, are possibly thinking? Or are they thinking? Can a zeal to save the world from the supposed pernicious evils of all things carbon, justify a blindness to the financial and economic consequences to the lower and middle class working Vermonters?
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Vermont Business Magazine Bitter temperatures are expected this weekend and Vermont Gas wants to make sure natural gas safety is top of mind. Temperatures are expected to dip into the negative numbers this weekend.
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Vermont Business Magazine The Rutland County real estate market had its best year in a decade in 2018, soaring back to pre-recession sales volume, with higher prices, significantly increased sales, and the renovation of dozens of formerly troubled properties. The Rutland Regional Chamber of Commerce says that sales, prices and inventory point to a "strong local economy and community."
“From prices to restoration of properties to sales volume, the real estate market in Rutland and Rutland County is back in a big way,” said Mary Cohen, executive director of the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce. Added Steve Costello, co-chair of the Rutland Regional Marketing Committee and a vice president at Green Mountain Power: “The dark days in real estate that started with the great recession are over in Rutland!”
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Vermont Business Magazine After being reelected as expected to the post of House Speaker in the Vermont General Assembly on Wednesday, Speaker Mitzi Johnson announced the committee assignments listed below and delivered opening remarks. The one notable new chair is in the important Transporation Committee, where Republican Pat Brennan (R-Colchester) was replaced with Curt McCormack (D-Burlington). The Republicans will still have a committee chair in the Democratically controlled House, with Mike Marcotte (R-Coventry) taking over business-oriented Commerce. Brennan moves to Ways & Means. The vital tax-and-spend money committees will still be controlled by Janet Ancel (D-Calais), Ways & Means and Kitty Toll (D-Danville), Appropriations.
Vermont Speaker of the House Mitzi Johnson
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Vermont Business Magazine Making it easier to find the information you need is the focus of a new and updated website launched by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM). The changes make it easier for the public to find important resources or contact information as the new year begins. “Customer service is important to our mission. We want to ensure the general public can get the information they need quickly without confusion. Being able to access information quickly is important to farmers and businesses,” said VAAFM Policy and Communications Director Scott Waterman.
Important updates and changes include:
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Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is releasing a new round of funding through the Capital Equipment Assistance Program (CEAP) for phosphorus extraction equipment or technology. The Capital Equipment Assistance Program (CEAP) is available for equipment that will aid in the reduction of surface runoff of agricultural wastes to State waters, improve water quality, reduce odors from manure application, separate phosphorus from manure, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce costs to farmers when they apply manure or implement a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP).