Current News

Lamoille Economic Development Corporation Helping our economy grow by developing tools and providing business assistance is the core of Vermont’s economic development plan. Putting this assistance together to benefit Lamoille County residents is what Lamoille Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) has done with our half-million dollars in available funding.

Vermont Business Magazine Completed in 2016, Downstreet Housing and Community Development’s four-story building on the corner of Summer Street and Keith Avenue in downtown Barre City is one of five recipients of the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award. Governor Phil Scott will be one of the award presenters at a private ceremony on August 31.

Burlington Electric Department The Burlington Electric Department issued a peak day alert for today, August 29, as part of its Defeat the Peak program launched last summer, encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage today from 3:00-6:00pm. Please note the time change since yesterday’s announcement. Burlington Electric also had issued a peak day alert yesterday, resulting in the greatest savings seen under the program so far, equivalent to the electricity needed to power 550 homes, or 284.1 kilowatts.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Health Network announced today that longtime General Counsel Spencer Knapp will step down at the end of September. Deputy General Counsel Eric Miller will take over the position at the start of the new fiscal year on October 1. Knapp has served in various roles including outside counsel and board member for more than 40 years. Knapp first began work on behalf of the hospital in the 1970s. He was instrumental in helping the organization through the rough seas of the Renaissance Project in the early 2000s, as well as helping to lead the formation of the UVM Health Network six years ago.

Eric Miller served as US Attorney under President Barack Obama and as principal and managing partner at local law firm, Sheehey Furlong and Behm, PC. He joined the UVM Health Network in May 2017 as deputy general counsel and senior advisor.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and members of his Administration will bring their “Capitol for a Day” initiative to Bennington County on Thursday, August 30. The governor, along with members of his cabinet and extended cabinet, will spend the day in Bennington County, meeting with area constituents, lawmakers, local partners and state employees. According to the governor's office, the initiative aims to give regional constituents direct access to Administration leadership, as well as giving Administration officials an opportunity to visit local businesses, schools, community organizations and state and local offices.

The Administration has visited Rutland, Caledonia, Windsor and Franklin counties and aims to visit each of the state’s 14 counties throughout 2018.

#VTCapitol4aDay hashtag.

WHEN: Thursday, August 30

8:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.

Vermont Business Magazine Berkshire Bank Foundation is excited to announce $1,118,000 in philanthropic investments to 294 nonprofit organizations during its initial two rounds of 2018 grant funding. The funding will allow organizations to transform possibilities into a brighter reality for over three million individuals. Among the awardees is The Mentor Connector in Rutland.

Vermont Business Magazine Morse Block Deli in Barre celebrates its second anniversary under the ownership of Stefano Coppola. As a trained and experienced Chef, Coppola brings to the now four-year-old establishment new ideas and a new look guided by his personal values and mission to provide local, fresh and wholesome food. He takes great pride in this as each local partner is prominently displayed on the wall next to the sandwich menu. Not only do you find hearty, mouthwatering sandwiches, but all of the items can be enjoyed with craft beers, cider and wine. The deli display contains local food products like cheeses, organic eggs, Vermont Salumi sausage, and more.

Vermont Business Magazine The Lamoille Housing Partnership (LHP) and Housing Vermont (HV) continue their rehabilitation project in Hardwick, the Jeudevine Housing Limited Partnership. The project’s scope of work focuses on structural and interior upgrades, as well as exterior improvements to affordable rental housing and commercial space in three historic Hardwick properties.

“A recent housing needs study of the area continues to support the overwhelming need for rental housing units, both affordable and market rate, for all segments of our population including seniors, working Vermonters, veterans and our disabled neighbors. Although this project does not create new units, it substantially upgrades and preserves existing units,” explains LHP executive director, Jim Lovinsky.

Vermont Business Magazine The GMP Rutland Innovation Home will be given away to the winner of the contest that launched in February. Contestants had to write an essay about what they’d bring to the Rutland community and why they want to live in the GMP Rutland Innovation Home. GMP bought the property from the city for $1, and dozens of area businesses and organizations donated time and materials to build a super-efficient home with the latest in energy technology.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Treasurer’s Office is now accepting local investment financing proposals. The Local Investment Advisory Committee, or LIAC, is soliciting financing proposals in the areas of weatherization and housing improvement. The State Treasurer’s Office manages an ongoing process of local investments that began in 2014 when the Vermont State Legislature passed a law that established a Local Investment Advisory Committee. Pursuant to Act 188 of 2018, the Treasurer, in consultation with the LIAC, is authorized to invest up to $5,000,000 in weatherization and housing improvement.

Vermont Business Magazine Stratton Mountain is closing out the summer season with the first ever Blues, Brews and BBQ. Set for Saturday, September 1, visitors to southern Vermont’s highest peak can sample a selection of the state’s notable craft beers and ciders.

Vermont Business Magazine Longtime Vermont State Police member Jean-Paul (J.P.) Sinclair, who first joined the agency in 1987 and in the decades since has investigated some of the state’s highest profile criminal cases, will retire next month following 31 years of service to Vermonters. Sinclair, a captain, became the Vermont State Police’s chief criminal investigator in 2013 and has worked as a detective in various capacities for more than 20 years. For the past year, Sinclair has led the VSP’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

“Once I got into criminal investigations I just knew this was exactly what I wanted to do. It’s an amazing group of people who make me proud every day,” Sinclair said, referring to his colleagues. “It’s a thrill to be in this chair and to see the work that goes on every day, the successes in any number of cases every day. It’s just very gratifying.”