Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Nozomi Networks Inc, a leader in real-time cybersecurity and operational visibility for industrial control systems (ICS) today announced Vermont Electric Cooperative is among this year’s annual customer awards winners. The awards recognize Nozomi Networks customers who are leading their respective industries with advanced strategies and cutting edge technologies in the fight against escalating cyberthreats to their operational networks.

Vermont Business Magazine The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures in the 90’s and Vermonters will be looking to cool off. Green Mountain Power is reminding customers that you need to be careful around all waterways, and while those around hydroelectric facilities are beautiful, there can be additional hazards. Public waterways around GMP facilities have some great recreation areas providing access to rivers and reservoirs. Vermonters need to be aware that conditions in waterways associated with hydroelectric facilities may change rapidly. Pay attention to warning signs and markers as some spots are off limits to the public for safety reasons. Recent low water conditions have exposed many areas in rivers and streams that are usually not accessible.

Vergennes hydro. GMP photo.

Vermont Business Magazine Continuing to lead the charge in the Senate Appropriations Committee in the fight against the opioid epidemic, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) Thursday steered $10 million to a new research program in the Department of Defense to study alternatives to opioids for chronic pain management. Despite a number of programs meant to help the service community understand and address the potentially harmful effects of long-term opioid abuse, the Department of Defense does not have a comprehensive strategy to research and understand alternatives to opioids to manage chronic pain. Because of this, members of the military rely on these potentially dangerous and highly addictive drugs, which has had severe consequences.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Colleges System Board of Trustees has agreed to shift a portion of its endowment funds into fossil free investments starting this July. At its summer meeting on June 21^st, the Board approved moving 20 percent of its endowment, or approximately $5,700,000, into investments that are screened to be fossil-free.

Vermont Business Magazine Encore Renewable Energy is pleased to announce that two highly experienced clean energy leaders have joined its Board of Advisors. The addition of Jon Anda along with Dr. Peter Jansson further bolsters the significant expertise which resides within the Company’s Board of Advisors.

Vermont Business Magazine Liz Bankowski, President and CEO of The Windham Foundation, announced today that Ruth Flore has been appointed CEO of the Grafton Village Cheese Company, a subsidiary of The Windham Foundation, effective August 20, 2018. Presently Flore manages marketing and business development of several partner brands for Norseland Inc. - the sales and marketing agent for Jarlsberg and other specialty cheeses. She has over two decades of experience in the industry including early in her career with Vermont Creamery.

Bankowski said: “Ruth has played a significant role in developing the specialty cheese sector in the United States. Her deep and broad experience makes her an ideal leader to help GVCC capitalize on new opportunities and to strengthen our core business.”

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Retail & Grocers Association will announce the winners of their 2018 Merchant Awards in September of this year. The Merchant Awards were introduced to recognize and reward the incredible work of Vermont businesses across the state in the face of an increasingly competitive market. All businesses are eligible for the awards and do not have to be a VRGA member to be nominated. There are three different categories businesses can be nominated under:

• Merchant of the Year: Merchant of the Year recognizes the store with the highest level of innovative retailing excellence. The winning store will demonstrate that they hold their staff accountable to the highest standards possible; develop relationships with customers; implement innovative merchandising; and develop staff to help them reach their career goals.

Vermont Business Magazine As the US Department of Agriculture prepares guidelines for labeling products that contain genetically modified ingredients, a new study from the University of Vermont reveals that a simple disclosure can improve consumer attitudes toward GMO food. Led by Jane Kolodinsky, an applied economist in UVM’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the study compared levels of consumer opposition to GMO foods in Vermont – the only U.S. state to have implemented a mandatory labeling policy – with consumer attitudes in the rest of the U.S. The analysis showed opposition to GMO food fell by 19 percent in Vermont after the implementation of mandatory labels.

Vermont Business Magazine Citizens Bank announced today that Citizens Commercial Banking led a new credit facility for SunCommon, Vermont’s largest provider of residential, community and commercial solar systems. The funds will fuel growth after SunCommon’s acquisition of Rhinebeck, NY-based solar provider Hudson Solar. Citizens is the sole lender. Terms of the credit facility were not released.

Vermont Business Magazine The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank recently donated a total of $10,000 to the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) as part of the foundation’s commitment to giving back to the community. COTS is the largest provider in Vermont of shelter and services for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. It serves more than 2,400 people annually, from birth to age 65+, primarily low- and extremely-low income households who reside in Chittenden County.

Vermont Business Magazine On Thursday, June 21, the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board awarded $6,594,615 for housing developments that will help to build or rehabilitate 59 affordable homes and conserve 1,050 acres of farmland and 146 acres of recreational and forest land.

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement Wednesday after US Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement. Justice Kennedy today advised his colleagues that he is submitting to the president a formal notification of his decision, effective July 31, to retire.