Current News
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Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Electric Department today issued a peak day alert for Monday (and now also Tuesday) as part of its Defeat the Peak program launched last summer, encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage on Monday and Tuesday from 4:00-7:00pm. Burlingtonians can lend a hand by taking the following steps on what is projected to be an unusually hot fall day.
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Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott announced last week that, after weeks of impasse and approaching the deadline to pass a state budget or face a government shutdown, the Fiscal Year 2019 budget (H16, An act relating to appropriations of state government, financing education and vital records) would become law without his signature.
The governor sent the following message to the Legislature on Friday regarding this bill. See review HERE.
June 29, 2018
The Honorable William M. MaGill
Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives
115 State St.
Montpelier, VT 05633
Dear Mr. MaGill:
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Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) is encouraging members to conserve energy this coming Monday, July 2, and Tuesday, July 3 between the hours of 3 and 8 p.m. each day. This is when demand for electricity is expected to spike as a result of high temperatures throughout New England.
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Vermont Business Magazine So, go ahead, test your ice cream acumen. July is National Ice Cream Month, that much-anticipated time of year when Ben & Jerry's unveils the list of its top 10 fan-favorite flavors. Ice cream lovers across the country anxiously await this announcement to see if their favorite pint has made the list, or moved up or down the ranking. Before scrolling down, come up with your own list and judge your taste buds against an entire nation's.
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Vermont Business Magazine Technology Park has secured a new tenant at 30 Community Drive, Kestrel Coffee Roasters. Kestrel Coffees will be opening up a cafe with roasting operations at Technology Park. Construction by ReArch Company will begin towards the end of the summer, for an early 2019 move in date. Starting on July 2, 2018, Kestrel Coffees will open up a kiosk in the same building, serving coffee, tea beverages, retail bags of coffee, snacks and merchandise until construction has been completed.
Owners, Charlotte and Johnny Steverson recently moved to South Burlington from Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, where they gained nearly 10 years of coffee experience. Johnny is a New England Culinary Institute graduate and a certified coffee grader.
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Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Catholic Charities, Inc has awarded Bishop deGoesbriand grants to 26 non-profit organizations that make meaningful differences in the daily lives of individual and families throughout Vermont. Funding for these grants was made possible by parishioners all over Vermont who generously donated to an Ash Wednesday parish collection.
“Vermont Catholic Charities appreciates the tremendous support from parishioners throughout Vermont. Through this generosity, countless numbers of individuals will receive critical emotional and financial support. What an amazing outward sign of Christ’s love to the larger Vermont community,” said Mary Beth Pinard, Executive Director of Catholic Charities.
This grant program began in 2011 and since then Vermont Catholic Charities has awarded over 200 grants totaling more than $400,000 to local nonprofits seeking to support those in need in their communities.
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Vermont Business Magazine Less than 12 hours after launching the “Garlic Fest 2018 Official Event – Sept 1-2” on Facebook, the Bennington Area Chamber reports that the event had 2,100 interested people and over 190 shares. This only proves that the beloved “Garlicfest” of Southern Vermont still has the interest and demand that has pushed it forward over the past 23 years.
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Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn, representatives from the towns of Colchester and South Hero, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, Local Motion, local and state officials and supporters celebrated the official reopening of the Lake Champlain Island Line Rail Trail, several days ahead of schedule. The Local Motion bike ferry connects the two pieces of the causeway on either side of the boat passage (formerly also a rail draw bridge).
“I commend the work of our state and local officials to complete this project ahead of schedule and in time for the busy holiday weekend, which is important for the community and our tourism sector,” said Scott. “The partnerships that made this happen are examples of the ‘can do’ attitude here in Vermont.”
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by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine According to The University of Vermont Medical Center and the Vermont Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals, the union representing nurses, a third bargaining session has been scheduled for Friday evening. Two sessions recently concluded between the union and management, including one Thursday night, in an effort to hammer out a new contract. The union represents1,800 nurses. The union said in a statement Friday morning that over 200 people lined Colchester Avenue Thursday in a "honk & wave" rally for a good nurses' contract at UVM Medical Center. Much of the union argument is focused on staffing. The VFNHP has already authorized a strike if a deal can't be reached by the time the current contract expires July 9. The hospital and union went through the same process three years ago.
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Vermont Business Magazine A public meeting to consider legislative proposals to protect the privacy of Vermonters is being rescheduled by the Attorney General and the Department of Public Service. The public hearing set for Thursday, July 12, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm is canceled. The new meeting date and time is Monday, August 6, 2018 from 9:00 am to noon at 29 Church Street, 3rd Floor in Burlington, Vermont (best entrance for the public is located at 110 Cherry Street). Citizens, industry representatives, businesspeople, and members of academia are invited to attend and provide their insights. The meeting date is being moved to allow more time for citizens and interested parties to plan for and attend the event.
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Vermont Business Magazine Secretary of State Jim Condos has announced that the early voting period for the 2018 August Primary Election begins officially today – Friday, June 29th. Vermont voters may request a ballot to vote early any day leading up to the August 14th Primary Election day. Ballot requests can be made with local Town and City Clerks by phone, email, walk-in or online at https://mvp.sec.state.vt.us/.
“Voting early is a great way to participate in our democratic process, and to ensure that you have cast your ballot before Election Day” said Secretary of State Jim Condos. “Ensuring access to the ballot box for homebound voters with disabilities, military and overseas voters, and Vermonters who may have challenges getting to the polls on Election Day isn’t just important, it’s fundamental to our democratic values.”
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Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott is urging Vermonters to stay cool and safe ahead of multiple 90-degree days. Forecasters say heat indices into the 100s are likely, with the heat wave beginning on Saturday and continuing into Independence Day. Meanwhile, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger has set up "cooling stations" at various locations in the city.