Current News

Vermont Business Magazine As families shop for last-minute ingredients to complete their Thanksgiving feasts, a recent study by the University of Vermont and Hunger Free Vermont serves as a reminder that the grocery store is a pressure point for nearly 60,000 Vermonters who are food insecure. According to Hunger Free Vermont, a nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in the state, food insecurity and hunger are caused by a lack of affordable housing, low wages, high unemployment, a decrease in nearby affordable grocery stores and lack of public transportation. Currently, nearly 18,000 Vermont children are affected by food insecurity.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine With strong numbers from the personal income tax, Vermont General Fund revenues exceeded their targets by nearly 7 percent in October. PI is the most import GF revenue source and it well offset a poor showing by the corporate income tax. Corporate tends to be less predictable but is still ahead of expectations for the fiscal year-to-date. Rooms & Meals, the second largest GF revenue source, edged ahead of its target. R&M has been a consistently strong revenue source the last several years and for the most part reflects tourism activity.

Vermont Business Magazine Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH) has welcomed Gordie Eurich and his daughter, Ellen Eurich, as Honorary Chairs of its annual Fall Appeal. The Eurich’s relationship with CVHHH dates to 2010, when Gordie, with his wife Casey and the couple’s business partner Ian Downing, opened SlopeStyle Ski & Ride, an outdoor gear shop in Montpelier. The opening of the store coincided with CVHHH’s annual fashion show, then called Colors of Autumn. Ellen walked the runway in the show, wearing winter gear from SlopeStyle. For the next few years, Casey had the opportunity to dress models in the show, a task she enjoyed and which gave her the chance to showcase her style and personality.

Gordie Eurich and his daughter, Ellen Eurich

Vermont Business Magazine The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) has recognized Rutland Regional Medical Center as one of 83 ACS NSQIP participating hospitals that have achieved meritorious outcomes for surgical patient care in 2017. As a participant in ACS NSQIP, Rutland Regional is required to track the outcomes of inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures and collect data that assesses patient safety and can be used to direct improvement in the quality of surgical care.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging (SVCOA) is searching for individuals to participate in its Senior Companion Program after experiencing a recent decline in volunteer numbers. “We’ve seen a relatively drastic drop in senior companions throughout southwestern Vermont, with the greatest shortage coming in Bennington County,” said Aaron Brush, Volunteer, Senior Companion and Caregiver Coordinator with SVCOA. “The Senior Companion program is a terrific opportunity for individuals to provide companionship to older Vermonters in their communities while also receiving various benefits for their service.”

The Vermont Senior Companion Program matches volunteers age 55 and up with older Vermonters who need general companionship, as well as assistance with basic errands such as shopping and getting to appointments, among other activities.

​Vermont Business Magazine Gifford Health Care’s Menig Nursing Home in Randolph Center has an overall Five-Star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), according to the latest reports published by the federal agency. Created to “to help consumers, their families, and caregivers compare nursing homes more easily and to help identify areas about which [they] may want to ask questions,” the CMS rating system publishes reports on the Nursing Home Compare page at medicare.gov. The most recent ratings incorporate data reported through September 30.

by John McClaughry The Vermont Digger headline a day after the elections well captured the enthusiasm of the newly elected legislative majorities: “Democratic supermajority comes with sky-high expectations.” The final House tally was 102 Democrats and Progressives, 43 Republicans, and five independents. The Senate will be 24-6. Both chambers now have the 2/3 majorities needed to override any veto by Republican Governor Phil Scott.

Vermont Business Magazine AARP has announced the launch of a major new advocacy campaign urging Congress to stand up to the pharmaceutical industry and protect seniors from any attempts to raise patient drug costs by reversing the Medicare Part D doughnut hole deal. AARP will release two national television ads, as well as radio, digital and print ads and video of real patients struggling with high drug costs. The ads will run in Washington, DC, and a number of battleground states around the country.

Vermont Business Magazine As snow sports enthusiasts and members of the community surrounding Stratton Mountain, many of us can directly relate to the importance of having a state of the art medical facility in our back yard. The Carlos Otis Clinic is equipped for everything from runny noses to catastrophic emergencies and we are all extremely fortunate to be able to call upon their services should the need arise.

The Carlos Otis Clinic in turn, counts on the community for support. Right now, the exciting new addition to the Carlos Otis Clinic is a state of the art ambulance! In an effort to support this new, and much needed ambulance we are asking you to join TPW Real Estate and TPW Management’s effort to close the gap of the final $25,000 needed to defray the overall cost of $250,000.

Vermont Department of Health Thanksgiving is about more than the food – okay, it’s mostly about the food. But it’s also a day of enjoying family and friends. Be sure to check these tips to guarantee a healthy, food-safe holiday.

Department of Finance and Management Commissioner of Finance & Management, Adam Greshin, has announced a public forum for comment on FY 2020 State budget development. Pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 306(d) the governor is required to develop a process for public participation in the development of goals and a general prioritization of spending and revenue initiatives.

Vermont Business Magazine With a dip in temperatures and the help of more than 10 inches of natural snow, southern Vermont’s highest peak is opening for its 57th season on Wednesday, November 21. Lifts at Stratton Mountain Resort will begin spinning at 9 am for the 2018-19 winter season. Opening day trails open include favorites like Frank’s Fall Line, Black Bear and Polar Bear, as well as Runaway to Yodeler. All terrain accessed from the summit and Ursa lift is recommended for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders only. Intermediate terrain can also be accessed from American Express. Beginner terrain and terrain park features will be accessible from the Cub Carpet.

Stratton file photo by Hubert Schriebl.