Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Senator. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) delivered the following statement at a press conference with House and Senate Democrats Thursday ahead of the president's upcoming address on prescription drug prices: "At a time when corporate America has unprecedented wealth and power, the pharmaceutical industry distinguishes itself as perhaps the most greedy and irresponsible corporate entity. Last year, five major drug companies made over $50 billion in profit. That is in one year, and the top five CEOs in the pharmaceutical industry made over $113 million in total compensation."

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement: “As too many of our families and businesses are aware, the affordability crisis is real. Its undermining the economies in most counties across the state. Working to reverse this trend is one of the primary reasons I ran for governor."

Vermont Business Magazine The owner of Vermont's NG Advantage is getting a major new investor. Total SA (CAC: TOTF. PA) and Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE) today announced that the two companies have entered into a broad strategic agreement to drive deployment of new natural gas heavy-duty trucks. Total has agreed to purchase up to 50.8 million shares of Clean Energy’s common stock for $83.4 million, to become Clean Energy’s largest stockholder with ownership of 25% of Clean Energy’s outstanding shares of common stock. NG Advantage is based in Colchester with a natural gas pipeline (Vermont Gas) terminal in Milton. California-based Clean Energy acquired a majority stake in NG in October 2014.

Vermont Business Magazine If you have yet to visit Burke Mountain during the warmer months this is the year to make it happen. Not only are we known for the classic pitch of our ski trails, our corner of the Kingdom has the best (and longest) network of singletrack mountain bike trails in New England. From family-friendly loops perfect for children and beginners on Kingdom Trails to the fun-flowy excavated trails on Burke Mountain, we truly have something for everybody - no matter the season. When you visit East Burke, Vermont, the trails are truly what sets us a part.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont House today gave its final approval to H.554, a bill addressing dam safety and drinking water protection. H.554 requires the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to maintain an inventory of all known dams in Vermont and inspect them under DEC jurisdiction on a regular, risk-based schedule. There are 820 known dams in the state. Of those, 696 are under DEC jurisdiction. H.554 now heads to Governor Scott’s desk.

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Life Magazine will sunset print operations at the end of the current fiscal year, June 2018, due to years of chronic operational deficits as a result of a changing media landscape. A digital brand will continue in some form, but the summer issue will be the last print issue and the future of the famous calendar beyond 2019 has not been determined. The state had tried to sell Vermont Life earlier this year. Vermont Business Magazine was one of several bidders. But the state said that none of the bidders came close paying down the $3.5 million debt that Vermont Life had accumulated over the years.

Vermont Business Magazine Newport, NH, voters have approved by a margin of 652 to 235 a 2.2-megawatt solar energy project capable of providing the entire annual energy needs for Newport Town and School facilities. The solar installation will be the largest municipal project in New Hampshire and one of the state’s largest overall. Likewise, the solar arrays will make Newport the largest town in the state to net its entire municipal and school district energy demand from solar energy. The vote Tuesday night authorized the Town and School District to enter into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with local solar developer Norwich Solar Technologies for the project.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Urban Search and Rescue team Task Force 1 was recognized as Outstanding Team at the Vermont Public Service Recognition Awards. Among other accomplishments, USAR TF1 team members deployed to Texas to assist with rescues following Hurricane Harvey. The highly trained 90-person team is comprised of responders from agencies and departments around the state. The team provides unique and specialized emergency response services, including swiftwater rescue, structural collapse searches, confined space rescue, and trench rescue.

The team performs often-hazardous missions around Vermont, braving floodwaters and fast moving rivers to rescue those in danger, taking part in searches for lost people in the wilderness, and locating and rescuing those trapped under debris.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Philip B. Scott declared May Physical Fitness and Sports Month in Vermont, encouraging Vermonters to be active this spring. He will sign the proclamation on May 10, 9:30 a.m.

Vermont Business Magazine For forty years, the Burlington Business Association (BBA) has found ways to give back to the community it works in support of. For this year’s BBA Annual Dinner and Awards, held Thursday, April 5th, 2018, the BBA partnered with Perrywinkle’s Fine Jewelry, who generously donated a Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch and winder package valued at $8,150 to be raffled off at the annual event. A portion of the proceeds from this raffle are being donated to the Howard Center Street Outreach team. The Street Outreach Team is made up of four individuals, including team leader, Tammy Boudah, Hannah Toof, Casey Lee, and Eric Goldmann.

Vermont Business Magazine Helicopters and lift towers were flying over Killington Resort Tuesday as the first phase of construction kicked off ahead of the 2018/19 winter season. The highly anticipated return of lift service in the South Ridge area is officially in progress as lift towers were relocated from Snowdon to South Ridge. A new 6-person high-speed bubble chairlift will be installed to replace the Snowdon Quad ahead of next season. The new lift, manufactured by Leitner-Poma, features a bubble shield that will protect skiers and riders from wind and weather as they ascend 1,100 vertical feet to the Snowdon Mountain peak

Vermont Business Magazine After an exhaustive and competitive national search, Sterling College has appointed Peter Merrill, of Morrisville, co-founder and owner of Elmore Mountain Farm, LLC to be its first Vice President/Chief Operating Officer. This is a new role for the College and comes at a time of enrollment and philanthropic success over the past six years that has set the stage for a new leadership structure.