Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Social Sentinel, a Burlington-based company that identifies threatening content on social media, was among the winners of the 2018 Tech Jam awards, presented last Friday at the 12th Vermont Tech Jam. The prizes, given annually by the Vermont Technology Alliance, BTV Ignite and Seven Days, recognize leaders in the state's tech ecosystem.
Social Sentinel won the Innovation award. Burlington Code Academy, a 12-week coding bootcamp, won the Startup award after triumphing in the LaunchVT competition in the spring. Maureen McElaney, founder of the Burlington Chapter of Girl Develop It, is the area's top tech ambassador.

by Bill Schubart The EB-5 debacle in the Northeast Kingdom has posed an interesting dilemma. As Vermonters, we all care about the transparent and just administration of business conducted by our government officials on our behalf. To that end, every Vermonter should want to know what went wrong that brought us to the single largest financial scandal in our history – in which some 700 investors have lost hundreds of millions dollars they invested, and 400 likely will not receive the green cards they were promised.

And I would argue that in this instance, our chief objective should be to investigate and pursue what happened so we might all learn from it.

The Tram Haus Lodge at Jay Peak was the first of its EB-5 projects. VBM photo.

by David R Coates Vermont recently lost one of our most important, influential and relevant leaders for the last 50 years. I was one among many who were fortunate enough to have Fred as a mentor and dear friend. Fred Hackett served our state in so many ways that his loss will leave a profound void for years to come. A statesman who worked tirelessly, both publicly and behind the scenes, for the betterment of Vermont. Never seeking the limelight, just making sure important public policy was sound and meaningful.

Vermont Business Magazine NuHarbor Security, based in Essex Junction, has launched its proprietary Knox Security Certification Program. Cybersecurity is an increasingly important part of business, and external influences such as compliance regulations and customer relations require proof of organizations’ cybersecurity. Along with other next-generation information security services, NuHarbor Security will offer industry-leading security certification to help clients demonstrate their security posture.

Vermont Business Magazine The “Big E” was a big win for Vermont. While the Eastern States Exposition, or “The Big E,” wrapped up for 2018, data collected by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets reinforces the value the event returns to Vermont and its agricultural economy. “Agriculture plays such an important role in Vermont’s economy and our culture,” said Governor Phil Scott. “The Big E is a great way to promote all Vermont has to offer – from our agricultural products, tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities to the many good jobs available here in the state.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles and Agency of Education were recently named winners of the 2018 Government Experience Awards for the online Driver Education Certification Service (DECS). The Center for Digital Government, a leading national research and advisory institute that focuses on technology in state and local government, annually announces winners for their Government Experience Awards, which highlight exceptional progress and delivery of digital government services. The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles and Agency of Education received an award in the Government-to-Government Experience category.

Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) Renal Dialysis unit has joined the hospital as a recipient of the federal government’s highest rating for patient care. “I have an amazing team that works hard every day to ensure patients receive the highest quality care,” said Ruth Rudnick, the director of renal dialysis at SVMC. “To have that care recognized in this way is so gratifying.”

Vermont Business Magazine Moody’s Investors Service announced today that the state’s Aaa bond rating was revised downward to Aa1 with a stable outlook. Downgrading a bond rating leads to higher financing costs. For several years Vermont has maintained a superior bond rating. The state's aging population and relatively high pension liabilities were mentioned as two contributing factors in the downgrade.

Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday evening October 17, 9 entrepreneurs from around Vermont gathered in front of an audience of 200 people at Champlain College in a winner take all final business pitch competition for $5,000, a giant Vermont Teddy Bear and a year-long mentorship provided by the “business bikers” of the Road Pitch motorcycle gang. The big winner was Erik Johnson of Synticos LLC. He's developed the SlurryJet; a faster cutting, increased profitability abrasive jet cutting machine.

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center has been distinguished as among the top 10 percent in the nation, and the only hospital in Vermont, for Joint Replacement, according to a national study by Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. Rutland Regional once again received a 5-Star rating for Total Knee Replacement making it 9 years in a row (2011-2019) and is the only hospital in Vermont to receive this rating. Rutland Regional was also one of only two hospitals in Vermont to receive a 5-Star for Total Hip Replacement (2019), and one of only three hospitals in Vermont to receive a 5 Star in the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), making this the second year in a row for this recognition (2018-2019).

​Vermont Business Magazine More than 30,000 veterans live with bladder cancer and improving care for these Veterans will fill an important gap in cancer care. “This study will help all patients with early stage bladder cancer – that is three quarters of all patients diagnosed with bladder cancer,” according to Dr. Florian Schroeck, a Urologist and Researcher at the White River Junction VA Medical Center responsible for the research grant. The research grant will provide $1.1 million in direct funds over four years.

Vermont Business Magazine The Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) today announced that it has been named a Top Agency of the 2018 HomeCare Elite, recognition of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States. For 13 years, HomeCare Elite has annually identified the top 25 percent of Medicare-certified agencies and highlighted the top 100 and top 500 agencies overall. The VNAHSR has been recognized 10 times in the past 13 years.

The ranking is developed by ABILITY Network, a leading information technology company helping providers and payers simplify the administrative and clinical complexities of healthcare. It is sponsored by DecisionHealth, publisher of Home Health Line and the Complete Home Health ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding Manual.