Current News

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.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s congressional delegation announced September 14 that U.S.D.A. Rural Development has awarded four grants totaling $204,200 to help combat the opioid epidemic in Vermont. “Vermonters in every corner of the state have been touched by the opioid epidemic and while real progress is being made, we have more work to do. These federal grants will be especially critical to helping Vermonters access treatment and succeed in recovery,” Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.,) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Rep. Peter Welch said.

by Brett Rusch, MD September is Suicide Prevention month and the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) empowers communities to take action to support our Nation’s Veterans. Each community across the country plays a role in supporting Veterans, but as an individual you may not know what to do or where to start. You don’t need to have special training to support the Veteran’s in your life, and we can all do something to help a Veteran who is going through a difficult time. Even seemingly small actions can have a huge impact: Preventing suicide begins with just the willingness to Be There.

Showing your support can be as simple as sending a Veteran a text message- inviting someone over to catch up or sharing a positive thought are both great ways to communicate that you care. Your words could be exactly what a Veteran in crisis needs to hear, and could be a reminder of the many people out there who are willing to listen.

Vermont Business Magazine Christine Hallquist is honored to receive the endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders in her bid to be the next Governor of Vermont. Bernie has been a tireless advocate for all Vermonters. The Senator’s 2016 presidential campaign brought his principles to the national stage, where he sparked a new wave of democratic engagement.

Vermont Business Magazine The Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB) is one of 10 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Vermont to receive federal funding to further their efforts in combatting the national opioid crisis and its impact on the local community. Two years ago, CHCB had 250 patients in treatment for opioid use disorder; today, as one of the largest primary care “spokes” in Chittenden County, they provide treatment to 430 Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine Mt Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC) will once again offer flu vaccinations to help residents of the Upper Valley avoid the physical discomfort of flu season. But to help residents avoid waiting in line, MAHHC now offers express appointments during regular business hours on designated flu shot days.

“We want to encourage everyone to receive their shot this flu season by removing any potential inconvenience” says Joseph Perras, President, CEO and Chief Medical Officer of MAHHC. “Flu season typically runs from October to May, with “peak season” between December and February so we urge everyone to take this important step now to help avoid a potential encounter with the flu virus” noted Margaret Worth, RN, CPHQ, CIC Infections Preventionist/Quality Specialist at MAHHC.

Vermont Business Magazine The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation launched the newest initiative of the Southern Vermont Workforce Center of Excellence, the Pipelines and Pathways program. The launch of the program took place at Leland & Gray High School, and was attended by representatives from Leland & Gray, Twin Valley Middle-High School, Bellows Falls Union High School, Brattleboro Union High School, SeVEDS Municipal partners, the Vermont Community Foundation, McClure Foundation, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Economic Development Brett Long, Commissioner Kurrle from the Vermont Department of Labor, and Secretary Dan French from the Agency of Education.

Education Secretary Dan French joined the discussions. BDCC photo.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Student Assistance Corp will offer free workshops at local high schools beginning in early October through November to help families fill out financial aid forms. These informal workshops offer guidance on filling out the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and the Vermont State Grant application. The FAFSA is the basis for determining eligibility for federal Pell grants, the Vermont State Grant, financial aid from the school that the student attends, and for student loans.

Students and parents also can ask questions and learn about the college financial aid process, including how to apply for scholarships. Internet access will be available and space is limited.

Vermont Business Magazine The Killington World Cup Committee (KWCC) awards $207,000 to more than 15 nonprofits in the Northeast area. Eight of the nonprofits being in Vermont - include the Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond, The Green Mountain Valley School in Waitsfield, The Kelly Brush Foundation in Burlington, The Killington Ski Club in Killington, The Middlebury Ski Club and The Stride Foundation for Female Athletes in Middlebury, The Pico Ski Education Foundation in Rutland and The Woodstock Ski Runners in South Pomfret. Also expanding through seven states, the competitive grant opportunity supports programs that increase winter sports participation for youth and assist with competition and training infrastructure.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine DE Lorraine Sterritt, the 17th president of Saint Michael’s College and the first woman to hold that title, was direct, clear, optimistic and warmly personable in her Saturday afternoon Inauguration Address that celebrated roots, scholarship, confident aspirations and the primacy of serving others. Her lyric speech with a hint of her Northern Ireland homeland focused on service to the college and to each other.