Current News

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.

Vermont Business Magazine While the electric vehicle (EV) was invented nearly 50 years before the gas-powered automobile came onto the scene in 1885, widespread adoption of EVs has been slow. Part of the reason for the sluggish transition from gas-powered cars to EVs in recent years has been an insufficient number of EV charging stations. Today, Governor Phil Scott announced what he called an important step in accelerating EV adoption by introducing Vermont’s new Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment program (EVSE). This program will deliver millions of dollars to communities across the state to install electric vehicle charging stations.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health was notified last week that a horse in Windham County tested positive for West Nile virus. The horse had not been vaccinated against the virus and has since died from the infection. Testing was conducted as part of a Health Department and Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets program that provides free mosquito-borne disease testing of susceptible animal species. There have been no reported cases of West Nile virus among humans in Vermont this year.

Vermont Business Magazine A new survey from Champlain College Online shows that not only are the majority of Americans concerned about cybersecurity threats, but many are willing to consider returning to college to pursue a cybersecurity education—especially if their employer pays for it. The State of the Cybersecurity Workforce and Higher Education survey, conducted through Engine Insight’s Online CARAVAN omnibus, asked US adults ages 18 and up for their opinions on and awareness of the cybersecurity field, as well as the role that higher education plays in it.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Code Academy (BCA), an organization that provides accelerated technology education programs, graduated participants of its sold-out inaugural 12-week coding bootcamp last week. The students, mainly adults looking for new skills and new careers in technology, were part of BCA’s launch of the state’s first immersive coding bootcamp. The second session will begin September 17, and a few open spots still remain.

“The inaugural bootcamp for Burlington Code Academy was an enormous success for our team, the students, and ultimately the local tech economy,” said Benny Boas, BCA co-founder. “It is thrilling to watch people gain a set of skills that prepares them for the next evolution of their professional career. We look forward to kicking off our next course, starting September 17.”

by John McClaughry Here are sixteen incisive questions that citizens might want to pose to candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, and the legislature as Election Day 2018 approaches.