Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Governor Phil Scott today welcomed Governor Shinji Hirai of Tottori Prefecture, Japan, to sign a Sister State Agreement between Vermont and Tottori Prefecture, Japan’s smallest prefecture.

“On the face of it, one wouldn’t think there would be much in common between Vermont and Tottori, Japan,” said Governor Scott. “After all, we are over 6,000 miles apart and do not share the same language. However, there are many similarities, from our small populations to our beautiful mountains and outdoor recreation. Vermont looks forward to continuing our relationship with Tottori and to broaden the exchanges to include tourism and trade between the two regions.”

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) hailed the announcement this week that the Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA) will receive from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a fiscal year 2017 grant of $2 million to address youth homelessness. The funds, as part of HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project, are being granted to VSHA on behalf of the Vermont Balance of State Continuum of Care, and in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Human Services and the Vermont Coalition of Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs. The Balance of State Continuum of Care facilitates a coordinated approach to addressing homelessness.

Vermont Business Magazine Late Tuesday night, the House of Representatives approved a bipartisan amendment, authored by Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) to appropriate $8.4 million in fiscal year 2019 for the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP). The House Appropriations Committee had recommended a funding level of just $4.4 million.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan today announced the launch of a website to allow Vermonters to provide feedback on a proposed rule affecting clinics that receive Title X funds. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is writing new rules for recipients of Title X funding. Title X is the only nationwide program for affordable birth control and reproductive health care. The proposed rules would implement a “gag rule” on abortion referrals and redirect funding priorities from the CDC’s birth control recommendations to “natural family planning methods.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Lamoille Housing Partnership (LHP) has commenced work on the Jeudevine Limited Housing Partnership, a $2 million rehabilitation project updating 18 units of affordable housing, plus one commercial space, in Hardwick. Work began this week at one of the three included properties, Highland Avenue.

Vermont Business Magazine Magic Hat is partnering up with Vermont musician and cartoonist James Kochalka to announce a new addition to the Humdinger Collection of bold, limited-edition beers: a Farmhouse Saison with a hometown collaboration dubbed Local Rocker. This classically Belgian-style beer is floral and peppery with light citrus notes and a dry finish. Much like a true rocker, this beer is known for its expressive and forward character. Local Rocker is an ode to the local rock stars of the world, those who bare their souls on stage night after night. They don’t burn out or fade away. They rock on.

The new release will be available for a limited time from July through September in 4-packs of 16oz cans and on draught at select bars.

Vermont Business Magazine Professional tennis returns to Vermont for its second year as the Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic hosts some of the top men's tennis players coming to Stowe to prepare for the US Open, which takes place the following week in New York. The second-year event builds on the success of the 2017 tournament, won by world #22 Albert Ramos, and has continued its partnership with luxury mountainside community, Spruce Peak and Stowe Mountain Lodge, to host the eight-player exhibition event this August 18–22.

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has selected Valid USA, Inc to provide Vermont residents with securely issued driver licenses and identification (DL/ID) cards. Valid will manufacture and issue approximately 200,000 annual secure DMV documents for five years with two one-year extension options under the contract's terms. The total value of the contract could be over $6 million.

According to the Vermont Department of Transportation, the contract with Valid is a per card issued contract, so the exact value is unknown at this time. The actual value will be dependent upon both the number of credentials produced as well as the type. The maximum spending authority authorized under this contract is $6,296,598.

Vermont Business Magazine The Very Reverend David Cray, SSE, a Boston native and 1968 Saint Michael’s College graduate who has ministered in Canada, Europe and the American South until coming to Vermont in 2003 to be pastor at Catholic parishes in Hinesburg and Charlotte, VT, was elected July 12 to be the new Superior General of The Society of Saint Edmund, founding religious order of Saint Michael’s.

He succeeds the Rev. Stephen Hornat, S.S.E., as superior general. Fr. Hornat, who served a four-year term, likely will continue to serve as pastor of St. Stephen Church in Winooski as he has done during his term as superior general. The “Edmundites” held their General Chapter meeting, which happens every four years, from Monday through Thursday, July 9-12 on the Saint Michael’s campus, voting on new leadership and tending to other business.

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington City Council on Monday approved the recipients of the City’s awards to support the expansion of high-quality childcare in Burlington for children from birth to three years old. These awards are the City’s first step in supporting the growth of high-quality childcare, which has been demonstrated to help prepare children for school, narrow the opportunity gap, improve future health and education outcomes, and reduce future public spending. Mayor Miro Weinberger presented the awards at the City Council’s July 16, 2018 meeting.

Vermont Business Magazine Brattleboro-based Green Mountain Creamery announces the launch of ‘Berry’ Creamy Yogurt, a month-long campaign promoting New England community farmers and advocating for real, simple and healthy ingredients. From July 16 to August 13, residents of each New England state are invited to share photographs of Green Mountain Creamery’s yogurt topped with berries, by posting images to the Green Mountain Creamery Facebook page or by tagging Green Mountain Creamery on Facebook or Instagram. Entrants are asked to share what state they are enjoying their taste of Vermont from in the photo caption, celebrating Green Mountain Creamery’s mission to bring the flavors and quality of Vermont products across the nation.

Vermont Business Magazine Have you made something? Invented something? Modified something to be better? If so, you are a Maker and eligible to sign up as an individual or group to “show and tell” at the 7^th annual Champlain Mini Maker Faire. It’s Vermont’s Flagship Maker Faire and you don’t want to miss it! The new one-day format is Saturday, September 22, 2018. A kid- and family-friendly day program (11:00 – 4:00) will be followed by a new Makers in the Dark program (6:00 – 9:30) designed for adults at the Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms.