Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Keurig Dr Pepper (NYSE: KDP) announced today that its Board of Directors authorized a quarterly dividend program and declared its first quarterly dividend on the Company's common stock. KDP will pay a dividend of $0.15 per share, payable in US dollars, on October 19, 2018, to shareholders of record on October 5, 2018. KDP said in a press release that it has determined that the former Dr Pepper Snapple Group dividend reinvestment plan ("DPS Direct Invest") will remain in effect for the current dividend, and the Company expects to replace the DPS Direct Invest program with a new shareholder funded plan, beginning with the next quarterly dividend.

by Secretary Anson Tebbetts Our country needs to find a better way to pay dairy farmers. This is probably not news to many, but the devil is in the details. Farmers nationwide work 24/7 to produce the fresh milk that becomes the cheese, butter and other dairy products that are always present, with an endless supply and many choices, in the grocery store.

However, farmers are not getting a fair price for their product. While “fair trade” is a familiar concept for international products like coffee, farmers right here at home are paid based upon an outdated, complex system that marginalizes their work and the sustainability of the working lands that we all enjoy. An oversupply of milk nationwide has resulted in suppressed milk prices for more than four years, and put many Vermont farmers into a state of economic insecurity that has forced them to make difficult choices about their future.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Libraries is partnering with Rooted in Vermont, a grassroots campaign celebrating how all Vermonters enjoy local food, to explore all of the great food that Vermonters can find right in their backyard. Libraries across the state will be hosting programs October 1 through October 7 that will feature and discuss local food activities that Vermonters have been doing for generations such as hunting and fishing, gardening, and foraging.

Vermont Business Magazine High school senior girls from across Vermont will join together in Burlington for the Distinguished Young Women of Vermont program to be held November 24, 2018 at the Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center. Participants will compete for cash and college-granted scholarships and the opportunity to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Vermont for 2019.

Vermont Business Magazine Following several apparent overdose deaths in Rutland County and additional overdose incidents around Vermont, all within a 72-hour span, state health officials are warning people who use street drugs to take extra care to reduce the risk of accidental overdose, and to have the overdose reversal medicine naloxone (Narcan) on hand.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the National Audubon Society and Audubon Vermont announced the appointment of David Mears as Executive Director of Audubon Vermont and Vice President of the National Audubon Society. Mears comes to Audubon from Vermont Law School, where he most recently served as the Associate Dean for Environmental Programs.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine You'd better hurry if you want to fly non-stop to Orlando next winter for $59. Low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines is introducing non-stop flights from Burlington International Airport (BTV) with service to Orlando International Airport (MCO). The new flights were announced today at a press conference with airport and airline officials, Mayor Miro Weinberger and Governor Phil Scott. This fare is available through this Friday for flights beginning in February 2019.

Vermont is the 44^th state to be served by Frontier (flyfrontier.com), which is a competitor of Spirit and other low-cost carriers.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center has become one of the first participants in the Vermont Gas Renewable Natural Gas Program, which is currently capturing methane from a landfill in Quebec. The hospital has committed to purchasing renewable natural gas equal to 50 percent of its regular usage at several local doctor’s offices and other locations. These facilities will move to 100 percent renewable natural gas in 2019.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that James and Richard Eastman of Newport, doing business as Richard Eastman Trucking, were fined $3,500 for dispensing diesel fuel into the empty bed of a tractor trailer, which resulted in the discharge of approximately 10 gallons of diesel fuel onto the pavement and soils surrounding the fuel pump.

Vermont Business Magazine “Understanding Vermont’s Opioid Crisis” is an eight-part series highlighting the science of addiction as well as the cultural, social and economic challenges associated with addiction. Pat McDonald and Ben Kinsley, hosts of Vote for Vermont on ORCA Media, Montpelier, and Ed Baker, host of the Addiction Recovery Channel on Channel 17, Town Meeting TV, Burlington developed the series in cooperation with the Vermont Opioid Coordination Council. It features experts in the field of substance use disorder, state and local health, education and public safety officials, and members of community-based organizations, all focused on addressing and preventing addiction.

“I appreciate the work behind this project, as we continue our efforts to address the opioid crisis. This includes increasing our understanding of its impact, causes and solutions, while reducing the stigma of addiction,” said Governor Phil Scott.

Vermont Business Magazine Later this week Vermont will take center stage as cannabis experts from across the United States gather to discuss the industry during the Healing Powers Of Cannabis. Conference at the Vermont College of Fine Arts starting Saturday September 15th. The event will feature a wide range of topics including panel discussions on the State of Cannabis in New England and how commercial and cottage industries in Vermont can coexist.

Champlain Valley Dispensary CEO, Shayne Lynn and Director of Sales and Product Development, Bridget Conry will be among the panelist for these two important discussions they hope will educate the public.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) today announced a multi-year agreement with GlobalFoundries (GF) to provide the Essex-based chip manufacturer, formerly IBM, with more stable energy costs. The plan is subject to regulatory review and approval by the Vermont Public Utilities Commission. It would lower GF's rate by 2.73 percent starting January 1, 2019.