Current News

by CB Hall, Vermont Business Magazine It is uncertain whether Amtrak will follow through on its threat to suspend passenger train service to Vermont on January 1, but it is certain that continuing that service would have a huge financial impact on the Green Mountain State.

Vermont Business Magazine Farmers, chefs, food producers and others working in Vermont agriculture are invited to apply to the third round of Vermont Fresh Network (VFN) Conference Scholarship Program grants. This round of funding supports participation in the Food Loves Tech expo, including access to all panel discussions and “The Future of the Cocktail” opening reception. The expo takes place November 2nd & 3rd in New York City.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University will host several thousand alumni and their guests during annual Homecoming festivities September 12 – 16 and kick off the “Year of Distinction,” the beginning of a year-long commemoration culminating in the 200^th birthday celebration in September 2019.

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc (Nasdaq: CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company based in Rutland, has announced that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued a modified permit for the Clinton County Landfill to increase the annual permit limit from 175,000 tons per year to 250,000 tons per year.

Vermont Business Magazine The owner of Stratton is expanding again. Alterra Mountain Company of Denver announced Thursday that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Crystal Mountain Resort in Washington, which would bring the company’s total to 14 year-round mountain destinations throughout North America, including the world’s largest heli-skiing operation. Alterra was formed just last January in a deal between the owners of Squaw Valley and Aspen. Alterra boasts the Ikon pass, which is also available at Killington and Sugarbush, as they compete against rival Vail's Epic pass (Stowe and Okemo).

Vermont Business Magazine Michael Snyder, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR), announced today that funds are available for outdoor recreation grants via the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

These funds will be available to municipalities around the state to protect land and develop or enhance infrastructure dedicated to outdoor recreation. Since 1964, the LWCF program has granted more than $50 million to communities and protected more than 27,000 acres of land for outdoor recreation in Vermont.

“Outdoor recreation is a crucial component of Vermont’s economy and quality of life,” said Commissioner Snyder. “We are pleased to offer this opportunity to communities across the state to preserve and improve their recreation assets.”

Vermont Business Magazine The start of a new school year is the perfect time to take advantage of educational opportunities and initiatives from the Vermont Historical Society (VHS), available for students from elementary through high school. From field trip opportunities to classroom resources to individual learning programs, VHS is committed to providing outstanding educational resources to Vermont teachers and students in all parts of the state.

The Vermont History Museum in Montpelier offers students an opportunity to explore the depth and breadth of Vermont’s story through interactive displays and themed exhibits. VHS offers free admission for school groups, making a day at the museum an affordable highpoint of a trip to the state’s capital.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont maple producers and consumers were feeling sweet relief after an announcement by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) signaling that 100% pure maple products will not be forced to display a standard label declaring “added sugars” on the package. Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan hailed the news as good for Vermont businesses and consumers.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has proclaimed September as “Preparedness Month” in Vermont in conjunction with National Preparedness Month. Dangerous and destructive weather events like floods, windstorms, extreme heat and cold and others, have and will continue to occur in Vermont. While we cannot entirely avoid disasters, we can take actions to diminish their effects by planning and preparing.

“All Vermonters can take a few simple steps to mitigate the effects of a disaster by being well-prepared,” said Governor Scott. “Taking preventative actions and being well-informed is crucial to minimizing the impact of an unexpected disaster.”

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and iFundWomen, a crowdfunding platform for women-led startups and small businesses, announced today the launch of iFundWomen Vermont, a statewide initiative to drive funding to early-stage entrepreneurs. Women-owned businesses have the potential to play a much bigger role in Vermont’s economic development. According to recent data collected by Change the Story, the number of women-owned businesses in Vermont is growing, and between 2012-2017, they grew at twice the rate of male-owned businesses to more than 20,000 without employees. If just 25 percent of these women-owned businesses without employees hired one worker, it would result in more than 5,000 new jobs for Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine ValleyNet has issued a press release reminding Upper Valley customers that it is still operating despite the recent announcement by FirstLight that it has discontinuing service to former ValleyNet email account holders. When ValleyNet divested its dial-up accounts and email addresses to SoverNet (now FirstLight) in 2006, it “pivoted” to bringing universally available broadband to the region, the press release said. Since 2008, ValleyNet has been assisting the East Central Vermont Telecommunications District (ECFiber) in financing, building and operating its fiber-to-the-home network in 24 Vermont municipalities. ECFiber now has close to 700 miles of optical fiber network and will soon add its 3,000 customer.

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc (NASDAQ: CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company based in Rutland, has announced it has acquired the assets of Youngblood Disposal Enterprises of Western New York, LLC and its wholly owned subsidiaries and the assets of Silvarole Transfer, Inc, and select assets of Silvarole Trucking, Inc. Both transactions, whose financial details were not publicized, closed on August 31, 2018, and was announced after the markets closed on Thursday. Its stock is up Friday morning and trading at its 52-week high.