Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Wood Works Council, formerly known as the Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association, has announced that Erin Lorentz of GWC will take over the position of Executive Director, previously held by Kathleen Wanner, also of GWC in Rutland, VT. Lorentz has worked for the association since 2006 and has handled communications, events, and other administrative services for its members.

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims increased slightly last week but remain at a low level typical for this time of year. For the week of June 16, 2018, there were 332 claims, 35 more than than they were the previous week, and 92 fewer than they were a year ago. Altogether 3,288 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 136 from a week ago, and 464 fewer than a year ago. For most weeks of 2017 and 2018 claims have been below the year before.

Vermont Business Magazine Hearth & Home Technologies, LLC (HHT), which bought the Vermont Castings Foundry in late 2014, has invested more than $8 million in capital improvements at the plant, including upgrades to the building’s exterior, new equipment and Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining, renovations to the administrative offices and lunchroom, air compressor upgrades, efficient lighting, and, most recently, installation of a robotic processing center that will increase production capacity and help reduce the risk of workplace injuries.

by Philip Smith In today’s global economy, Vermont businesses should consider sourcing and selling in foreign markets to grow their business. Whether your company is a subsidiary of a foreign company or a US-grown business looking to expand overseas, it is important to learn the alternatives to structuring foreign payments and receipts. Managing overseas financial transactions is no easy feat. Currency exposure, pricing, foreign bank services and other risks may leave you feeling overwhelmed. Here are some key considerations for managing your company’s finances in a foreign country.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an early agenda for the inaugural per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) two-day community engagement event at Exeter High School, 1 Blue Hawk Dr., Exeter, New Hampshire. This event allows EPA to hear directly from New England communities, state, local, and tribal partners on how to best help states and communities facing this issue.

Vermont Business Magazine President Trump on Wednesday nominated recently retired Essex Police Chief Brad LaRose to be Vermont’s next US marshal. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Governor Phil Scott (R) had jointly recommended LaRose to the President in January, to fill the vacancy. If confirmed, LaRose would oversee all US Marshals Service operations in Vermont. With offices in Burlington, Rutland, and Brattleboro, the Marshals Service plays a crucial role in protecting public safety in Vermont and is responsible for apprehending fugitives and sex offenders as well as managing federal prisoners and protecting federal courthouses.

Leahy is a leading member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will consider the nomination.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont has joined eight other states to reaffirm their commitment to a clean, low carbon transportation sector with the release of a new Multi-State Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Action Plan for 2018-2021, Governmor Phil Scott announced Wednesday. Together, these nine ZEV states represent roughly one-third of the new car sales market in the United States and 25 percent of the U.S. population.

Vermont Business Magazine Construction is underway at 88 Technology Park Way in South Burlington for ReArch Company and Technology Park Partners’ new Corporate Headquarters, which consists of 8,000 square feet of Class A office space. Technology Park Partners recently sold 88 Technology Park Way to New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU) and are leasing back this space to accommodate their continued growth.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement in response to federal immigration policy and the situation on the southern border. He also stated that similar action is not being undertaken at the Vermont/Canada border. He reiterated that Vermont has not been asked to send National Guardsmen to the southern border and nor does the governor intend to do so if requested.

“The recent ‘zero tolerance’ policy adopted by the Trump Administration has raised the concerns of many – myself included – especially as it relates to the separation of immigrant children from their parents. Families should be kept together, and all people should be treated humanely and with dignity.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott’s Communications Director Rebecca Kelley today issued the following statement in response to the ACLU’s questions regarding a social media policy designed to foster civility and protect users from abuse on the Governor’s Facebook page.

Vermont Business Magazine The ACLU of Vermont is demanding Governor Phil Scott stop deleting constituents’ posts and blocking users on his official Facebook page in violation of the state and federal constitutions. The ACLU raised its concerns in a letter to Governor Scott after being contacted by several Vermonters whose posts were censored in recent weeks, apparently because they criticized the Governor for signing gun control legislation earlier this year.

Vermont Community Loan Fund Elaine Toohey’s voice doesn’t waver as she tells of her bouts with homelessness, twice in her life, the second time as the young mother of two small children. The breakup of her domestic partnership was one of those life crises, she describes, like losing a job or a death in the family that, for some, can lead to an emergency situation.