Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Governor’s Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities (GCEPD) recently announced the employer award recipients for the “Spirit of the ADA” Awards. Among those recipients is Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC). The awards will be presented to Molly Perry, (Sr. HR Generalist) and Fran Kelly, (retired, Senior Recruiter) RRMC’s Human Resources Department. In addition, four Project Search sites ; Rutland Regional Medical Center, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and the University of Vermont Medical Center and THE EDGE Sports and Fitness of Burlington will be receiving the GCEPD Partner Award. Project SEARCH® is a business-led transition program for developmentally and cognitively disabled adults between the ages of 18- 40, who learn employability and independent living skills that will help them successfully transition from school to adult life or obtain competitive employment.

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), together with Representatives Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Doug Collins (R-GA), released the following statements after introducing the American Royalties Too (ART) Act of 2018 in the Senate and House of Representatives. The legislation will provide a measure of equity to visual artists by allowing them to receive a portion of the sales price of their art. The ART Act amends the Copyright Act to provide creators of visual art a 5 percent royalty of the price paid for their art when it is resold at auction.

Vermont Business Magazine For the eighth year in a row, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel, Darn Tough Vermont and Smartwool have teamed up to donate over $13,000 worth of socks and support to local non-profits serving the areas homeless. The donations are the result of a joint effort between the three businesses to help provide warm, Merino wool socks and much-needed support to the areas homeless population in preparation for the areas colder months.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and members of his Administration will bring their “Capitol for a Day” initiative to Chittenden County on Wednesday, September 26. The Administration has visited Rutland, Caledonia, Windsor, Franklin, Bennington and Addison counties as part of this initiative, which aims to give local constituents, municipal governments and other partners the opportunity to connect directly with state leadership and staff. The Administration will visit each of the state’s 14 counties as part of this initiative.

Follow along on social media using the #VTCapitol4aDay hashtag.

WHEN: Wednesday, September 26

7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

(Details below)

WHERE: Various locations throughout Chittenden County

GOVERNOR SCOTT’S PUBLIC SCHEDULE

7:30 – 8:10 a.m.

Vermont Business Magazine The State Committee of the Vermont Democratic Party has officially endorsed the following candidates for statewide office in Vermont. The State Party scheduled the endorsement process to take place after the August Democratic primary to remain unbiased throughout the process. On Saturday, at the September meeting of the State Committee, the Party voted unanimously to endorse the Democratic primary winners.

The candidates enddorsed are:

Vermont Business Magazine US Transportation Secretary Elaine L Chao announced today that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will award $366.2 million in grants to improve the safety and reliability of America’s bus systems and enhance mobility for transit riders. Vermont will get $2 million. A total of 107 projects in 50 states and territories will receive funding from FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program.

The Vermont Agency for Transportation will receive funding for the construction of the Bradford Vermont Public Transit Facility. The project will provide a base for rural transit operations for service to a region in east-central Vermont valued at $2,080,000.

A full list of the selected projects is available online.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Department of Agriculture Rural Development has awarded the City of Winooski a package of loans and grants totaling more than $8.5 million for upgrades to the city’s drinking water and wastewater systems, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) announced Tuesday. The infrastructure upgrades are a key element in the city’s vision to undertake a $23 million effort to revitalize Main Street north of downtown, they said in a statement. The proposed project also includes improved pedestrian and bike amenities, undergrounding telecom and cable lines, and rebuilt sidewalks and streetscapes.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington residents will soon have the chance to weigh in on the future of Burlington High School (BHS). The City Council approved a resolution on Monday allowing Burlington School District (BSD) to place a bond question on the November ballot. The bond question will ask voters to allow the district to borrow up to, but not more than, $70 million for the District’s flagship educational institution. Council supported the measure 11-1.

Vermont Business Magazine TD Bank announced today that its Commercial Lending Group in Vermont closed a $3.5 million credit line for NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, based in West Rutland. TD Bank’s capital allows NeighborWorks to provide down payments or second mortgage loans to local home buyers. The line was closed by Chris Hackett, TD Bank senior relationship manager. Through this funding, NeighborWorks anticipates helping 100 prospective homeowners in the area.

The organization's assistance means residents who do not have large cash down payments available can still buy a home and avoid private market insurance costs. Since 1986, NeighborWorks of Western Vermont has worked to strengthen the development of the regional economy by promoting safe, efficient and stable housing, as well as support community projects through education, technical assistance and financial services.

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger and Aviation Director Gene Richards today announced that Fitch Ratings has upgraded Burlington International Airport’s credit rating to “BBB” from “BBB-,” and revised the Airport’s credit outlook from positive to stable. This upgrade is particularly significant. For the past six years, the Airport’s credit rating has been “BBB-,” which is the lowest a bond can be rated to be considered investment grade. A statement from Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger said, "With this ratings upgrade, BTV is crossing an important threshold into greater financial health."

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) announced Monday that Richard Riendeau was fined $9,155 for failing to receive a required permit before commencing heavy cutting on his property in Hardwick. A heavy cut is defined as a harvest leaving a residual stand of healthy trees below the recommended density as defined by the USDA Forest Service silvicultural guides for similar stands. The goal of the Heavy Cut Law is to limit extensive and improper harvesting on large areas of 40 acres or more. Prior to conducting a heavy cut, a Notice of Intent to Cut must be filed and a permit or exemption secured from the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

by John McClaughry For over half a century, the managers of Vermont’s public education system have yearned to consolidate school districts, get rid of “inefficient” small schools, and install progressive ideas that the locals were too obtuse to grasp and implement themselves. Until 2009 those efforts repeatedly failed. But in that year Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca aggressively renewed the push for consolidation. His “Transformation Policy” report recommended that “by July 2012, Vermont’s PreK-12 public education system is constituted into 12 to 24 education districts.” In 2013 Vilaseca explained that “After seven or eight years, if the districts haven’t joined together, then the State will come in.” He did not mean that the State would “come in” with preaching and incentives. He meant that the State would come in with a Big Hammer.