Current News

Burlington area medical cannabis patients now have easier access to alternative pain relief with the opening of Champlain Valley Dispensary’s (CVD) first satellite location at 2 Green Tree Drive in South Burlington.

The new dispensary has ample parking and is patient comfort focused with nearly 3,000 square feet of retail space including three separate consultations stations.

“While our waterfront dispensary is uniquely positioned, we wanted to create easier access for our patients who live and work outside the downtown area, many of whom find travel to be challenging. This new South Burlington dispensary provides that and the feedback from our pa- tients confirms our decision,” said Shayne Lynn, CVD Chief Executive Officer.

by Jack Hoffman, Public Assets Institute It was a messy finish to a messy legislative session, but Vermonters can take some comfort that no permanent damage was done to the state education funding system. It’s disappointing that the governor insisted on another year of pretend budgeting—using one-time revenue again to artificially lower property tax rates. But, hey, worse ideas were floated this year, and it does buy the Legislature and the administration some time. The ploy will be worth it if they use the next six months to give Vermonters what they want: a school funding system that’s much easier to understand and one that’s based on their ability to pay—that is, their income.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources’ Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Stephen McGranaghan, a former Vermont State Police Trooper, and Christina McGranaghan were fined $10,760 for burning a derelict structure and other junk materials on their property in Stannard.

On or about December 4, 2017, Stephen McGranaghan set fire to a derelict A-frame structure located on the property. On December 5, 2017, personnel with Vermont State Police Fire Investigation Unit and DEC’s Environmental Compliance Division conducted a joint site investigation and observed burnt vinyl siding, asphalt roofing, plywood, painted and treated wood, and several automobile tires in the remnants of the structure.

Vermont Business Magazine The parent company of Barre's Rock of Ages, Polycor Inc of Quebec, announced today the acquisition of four famous limestone quarries located in Burgundy, France, previously belonging to Rocamat. The French quarries have been used for centuries to build landmarks across Europe.

Vermont-based Swenson Granite and Rock of Ages are part of the Polycor family of brands. As a result of this acquisition, local Rock of Ages customers will now have access to this heritage French limestone along with the American granites.

​Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) State Director Linda Rossi this week announced Assistant Director Heather M. Gonyaw as VtSBDC’s 2018 Vermont State Star.

Vermont Business Magazine With the support of individuals and area businesses, Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH) raised over $30,000 to support its Hospice program at its annual golf tournament. Twenty-one teams gathered on Wednesday, June 20 at the Country Club of Barre for a day of golf, a silent auction, a Red Sox raffle, and a barbecue dinner provided by a top sponsor, New England Excess Exchange.

UPDATE: No agreement was reached Tuesday night and talks will resume later Wednesday to avert a Thursday strike.

Vermont Business Magazine On Tuesday afternoon, UVM Medical Center president Eileen Whalen was joined by clinical and operations leaders to outline plans to ensure continued high-quality patient care in the event of a strike. The union representing the hospital’s nurses has announced its intention to strike for 48 hours starting on Thursday, July 12 at 7 am if an agreement is not reached on a new three-year contract. Talks will continue this evening in an effort to avert a strike. The nurses union, according to Local22 & Local44 news, has offered a one-year solution to get past the present deadlock.

Vermont Business Magazine NPI Technology Management announced today that John Burton, cofounder and president of NPI, will retire in 2018, remaining with NPI in an advisory role. In a statement to employees and clients, Eric Hart, NPIs CEO, said, “John is an outstanding leader who shepherded the company through the journey to become the technology management partner and advisor we are today. His passion for helping businesses succeed is imprinted in every aspect of our work.”

NPI celebrates its 30^th anniversary in 2018, and to mark the occasion has provided each employee 30 hours of paid time to work on pro-bono projects with some of the 30+ non-profits that have received NPI donations in the past. “It’s fitting that we honor John and our anniversary in this way, says Hart, “as John and NPI have always actively supported the communities in which we work.”

Vermont Business Magazine In 2012, Procter & Gamble, one of the world's largest and most profitable consumer-goods companies, entered the US nutritional supplement market by acquiring Brattleboro-based New Chapter, founded by Paul and Barbi Schulick. New Chapter is known for its healing-driven mission and one-of-a-kind vitamin and herbal formulations. After six years of working with P&G, the Schulicks announced today that as of July 1, 2018, they have parted ways with the company they launched more than thirty-five years ago, citing essential differences in vision and strategy.

Until now, Paul Schulick has led innovation and formulation of the 60+ products in the New Chapter formulary, staying firm to his codified principles that respect nature's wisdom and herbal synergy. A pioneer in whole food fermentation and supercritical extraction, Schulick has been a leading figure in the Natural Products Industry

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health has updated its health advisory for drinking water of 20 parts per trillion (ppt) to cover five per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a large group of human-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1950s. Exposure to certain PFAS may affect different systems in the human body.

The previous health advisory of 20 ppt for PFOA and PFOS combined was issued in 2016 following the discovery of PFOA in private drinking water wells in Bennington and a public drinking water supply well in Pownal, Vermont.

Vermont Health Advisory for Drinking Water = 20 parts per trillion

The health advisory for PFAS in drinking water now includes three more PFAS in addition to PFOA and PFOS. Added together, the levels of these PFAS may not exceed 20 parts per trillion (ppt):

Vermont Business Magazine A law to help small businesses, which was championed by Attorney General T.J. Donovan, went into effect on July 1. Act 4, “an Act relating to regulating finance leases for credit card terminals,” regulates leases of credit card terminals to smaller merchants. These terminals often cost a few hundred dollars to purchase, but are leased for thousands of dollars by predatory finance leasing companies. The leases are not cancellable and extend for 4 years. Act 4 puts protections in place to curb unfair practices by finance leasing companies. Specifically, the new law will give small businesses more, and clearer, information about lease terms and will allow cancellation within 45 days of entering into a credit card equipment lease.

Vermont Business Magazine At the end of the 2018 Vermont legislative session, a number of bills important to the state’s agricultural community became law. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets worked closely with the legislature and administration to bring attention to Vermont’s important rural economy. These new laws help make Vermont more affordable, take care of the most vulnerable, and grow the Vermont economy.

Below is a partial list of these new laws.

H.16 - An act relating to making appropriations for the support of government, financing education, and vital records.