Current News

Vermont Business Magazine SunCommon of Waterbury is expanding into the greater Hudson Valley region through a merger with Hudson Solar of Rhinebeck, NY. The firms said they are joining together to bring even more residential, commercial and community solar to the region. Terms were not released.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont child care providers will be able to open their doors to hundreds more Vermont children thanks to $455,500 in grants and coaching from Vermont Birth to Five (VB5), a statewide initiative of the Permanent Fund for Vermont’s Children working to expand the capacity and quality of Vermont child care programs.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Agency of Commerce Secretary Michael Schirling announced Tuesday that the State of Vermont will convene financial experts, community and economic development professionals, and representatives of the 25 newly, federally-designated Opportunity Zones on Tuesday, June 12th in Montpelier to maximize the impact of the new development tool.

by Bill Schubart I grew up reading Vermont Life in the '50s and continued reading it until shortly after the turn of the century. It always had a prominent place in our home, moving quarterly from the coffee table to the bathroom magazine rack – where its continued perusal was assured – and finally to a shelf in the den. Back then, Vermont Life was collectible not disposable.

Eventually I lost interest as the magazine shifted away from the substantive features and images that define us toward lifestyle and marketing.

My only real business savvy in life has been marketing, and I’ve always believed that the best marketing conveys substance rather than fluff. Consumers have largely become inured to marketing yet still crave substance conveyed through story, image, history, culture, and intellectual interest.

Vermont Business Magazine Recently, Jon and Pam Baker of Roswell, GA, celebrated a moment they were not sure would ever come. Their sons, Gavin and Jake Baker took their first dose of Orkambi, a drug recently approved by the FDA to help control their cystic fibrosis. At this “First Dose Party,” the Bakers were surrounded by hundreds of family and friends that helped make this special drug possible. On Saturday, March 17, 2018, their army of dedicated supporters from Vermont teamed up with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) for the 4th Annual ShamRockin’ for a Cure VT event at The Abbey Restaurant in Sheldon. The evening helped them surpass their goal in their fundraising efforts to fight CF.

Vermont Business Magazine The eighth annual Slow Living Summit will take place in Brattleboro on May 31 and June 1, 2018. Presented by the Strolling of the Heifers Windham Grows, this year’s Summit asks – “How can you create and grow a resilient food business that affects your community in a positive way?” With a focus on growing conscious food and agriculture businesses, the Summit aims to give current and aspiring entrepreneurs the tools, resources, and mentorship needed to evolve businesses, create positive change in the community, and revolutionize the future of food.
Orly Munzing, Executive Director of Strolling of the Heifers commented, “Developing conscious businesses that give back to the community is one of the foundations of what we call ‘Slow Living’.”

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Creamery is returning again this year as the top-tier sponsor of Brattleboro’s Strolling of the Heifers, a weekend-long event and year-round movement to promote entrepreneurship and innovation at farm and food businesses. By teaming up with the Vermont Foodbank at the event, Green Mountain Creamery is using the celebration as an opportunity to share ideas about making an impact locally.

As Strolling of the Heifers aims to provide consumers with an understanding of the importance of eating local food, Green Mountain Creamery works to support regional farms and Vermont communities through its dairy sourcing. To supplement this idea, Green Mountain Creamery partners with the Vermont Foodbank to donate about 125,680 pounds of its dairy products throughout each year.

Vermont Business Magazine The Board of Directors of the Humane Society of Chittenden County (HSCC) announced today the appointment of Joyce Cameron as president & CEO. Cameron comes to HSCC after nearly two years with the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum where she most recently served as Co-Executive Director. In addition, she has formerly held leadership positions at the Greater Burlington YMCA and the Kelly Brush Foundation.

“I am thrilled to be joining the dynamic and dedicated team at HSCC. I am looking forward to helping to advance the mission of this 117 year old non-profit that is the leading regional and educational center for compassionate care of companion animals and their families.” – Joyce Cameron

Vermont Business Magazine Castleton University has received notice that the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) has formally accepted its proposal to offer distance education programming. “We’re thrilled that NEASC has approved this proposal which will open the doors for us to offer full programs in an online format,” said Castleton University President Dr Karen M Scolforo. “The Master of Science in Accounting and RN-to-BS in Nursing are ready for full online launch starting immediately and we expect to add additional programs to our online platform in the near future. Both of our current programs serve unique populations of professionals and a fully online delivery will provide them the flexibility necessary to continue to focus on their careers while pursuing an advanced degree.”

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement early Tuesday. The legislative Special Session, which Scott called for last week, will begin Wednesday. He hopes to renegotiate a new tax plan and sign the budget and be done by Friday. The governor doesn't want any of the tax hikes lawmakers have inserted. Legislative leaders have also dug in their heels and insist that it was Town Meeting voters who set the spending needs for local schools, but it's the state that needs to pay for them, as well as everything else.

Vermont Business Magazine May 15^th was an evening of honoring excellent service to our community with the theme “Community – We can’t build a healthy community without u!” Chaplain Alden Launer received a standing ovation when named Copley Hospital’s Employee of the Year for his outstanding service to patients, community members and employees. He was honored at the hospital’s annual Service Awards Banquet. The Copley Hospital Medical Staff recognized excellence by honoring registered nurse Kelly Langson with the Edward French Memorial Award, and James Wills, a surgical supply coordinator, with the Goddard Family Award. UNAP Local 5091 honored John Kaeding, MD with the Russel Page, MD Award. In addition, nearly 60 employees were recognized for their milestone years of service at the hospital.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) has announced the schedule of activities for Centennial Community Day, a celebration of its 100th anniversary, presented by Mack Molding, Jerome Construction, and The Bank of Bennington. The event is scheduled for 11 am – 4 pm Sunday, June 10, 2018, on the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Campus at 100 Hospital Drive in Bennington.