Current News

Norwich University will celebrate commencement and commissioning with ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday, May 12-13, in Shapiro Field House. Both events are free and open to the public.

At a 2 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, May 12, U.S. Navy Admiral (Ret.) and Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University James G. Stavridis will deliver the university’s 2018 Commencement address to over 400 graduating seniors. He will receive an honorary Doctor of Naval Science degree.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont House on Friday preliminarily approvedS.260, the Clean Water Bill, on a vote of 94-48. The bill includes a .25 percent increase to the Rooms and Meals tax. The R&m has been the strongest of the broad based taxes, is the third largest and is closely related to tourism activity. “Water quality is a top priority of the House,” said Speaker of the House Mitzi Johnson (D-South Hero). “Clean water is imperative to the Vermont way of life--it is important to our ecology, our tourist economy, our drinking water, our property values, and our health and wellness. S.260 doesn’t just work to make our lakes cleaner; it drives the state’s tourism industry, promotes Vermont’s brand and its businesses, keeps our children’s drinking water safe, and maintains the clean, natural landscape that makes this state so special.

by Paul Cillo Public Assets Institute It’s finally spring in Vermont. That means a little lingering snow, the occasional summer-like day, and a last-minute proposal from Governor Scott to slash education spending. In a replay of 2017, just when the Legislature is wrapping up its negotiations on the budget, the education fund and other bills, the governor this week upended the process by releasing a proposal to cut education spending. And like last year, his proposal is light on details or backup information, and he is threatening to veto any bill that doesn’t meet his goals.

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims fell last week but remain relatively high, typical for the season. For the week of April 28, 2018, there were 713 claims, 239 fewer than than they were the previous week, and 46 fewer than they were a year ago. Altogether 5,440 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 88 from a week ago, and 519 fewer than a year ago. For most weeks of 2017 and into 2018 claims have been below the year before.

Vermont Business Magazine At his weekly press conference Thursday, Governor Phil Scott highlighted his five-year plan designed to increase the efficiency of Vermont’s education system, which will direct more resources to educational opportunities while also preventing a $58 million property tax increase, reversing the State’s chronic deficits in the Education Fund, and keeping education tax rates level for five years. Scott also warned the Legislature could be kept into June to wrap things up. It was originally scheduled to finish up on May 12.

by Thomas D Anderson, Jennifer Morrison and William Bohnyak Drivers impaired by opioids, cocaine, marijuana and other drugs pose a threat to every Vermonter and visitor that drive our highways. On July 1, Vermont will become the ninth state to legalize recreational marijuana. Even proponents of legalization acknowledge that driving while high on marijuana is unwise and unsafe. There also is universal agreement on the need to protect Vermonters from impaired drivers. Legislators, both pro- and anti-legalization, recognize there is a solemn responsibility to ensure the motoring public is protected from irresponsible individuals who take drugs and then get behind the wheel of a car.

by Eileen Peltier In 2015, we, Downstreet Housing and Community Development, made the conscious decision to invest in an advanced wood heating system for a new housing project in Barre. The investment was made based on both financial and environmental considerations; a decision that continues to benefit us today. Currently, the Vermont legislature is considering a sales tax exemption on these types of systems, and we believe that if you want to support Vermont’s working lands, local tradespeople, and lower energy prices, this is a positive step forward.

Downstreet Housing in Barre. Courtesy photo.

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc (NASDAQ:CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company, today reported its financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2018. In addition, the Company reaffirms its revenues, Adjusted EBITDA, and Normalized Free Cash Flow guidance ranges for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

Highlights for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018:

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont distinguished itself Wednesday with the signing of H906, which allows the automatic licensure of servicemembers in particular fields. This bill is unique, as it establishes direct pathways to civilian licensure in certain high-demand fields for those who have obtained certain Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) designations in the armed services.

Governor Phil Scott proposed the initiative as part of his workforce expansion plan, working closely with the Vermont National Guard, Departments of Motor Vehicles and Health, Division of Fire Safety and the Secretary of State’s Office.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power is gearing up to safely respond to any outages, after forecasters predict possible powerful thunderstorms and potentially damaging wind gusts which could take down trees and power lines Thursday and Friday. GMP has lined up external crews to add to GMP’s own field force. Forecasters say possible strong thunderstorms will hit mainly Windham and Bennington Counties late today, and there is a potential for damaging wind gusts if any of these thunderstorms become severe. Forecasters say another round of thunderstorms Friday afternoon could have more widespread impacts across Vermont.

Adding to the potential for outages is a high wind event that is predicted to hit Vermont Friday night after thunderstorms move out of the area. Forecasters say wind gusts could be 40 to 50 MPH along the slopes of the Green Mountains with some above 60 MPH over the summits Green Mountains.

Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce have announced the three finalists for the Deane C Davis Outstanding Business of the Year Award: City Market, Kalow Technologies and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group. One of these impressive finalists will be named the Deane C Davis Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year 2017 on Thursday, May 24th at an awards presentation at the Vermont Chamber Business Expo’s opening ceremony at 9:45 am. The Vermont Business Expo will take place all day at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Burlington.

Vermont Business Magazine Jennifer Mathews, PhD, has been named the Associate Dean for the ACPHS Vermont Campus; the campus opened in Colchester in 2009 and remains home to the only Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program in the state. As Associate Dean, Dr. Mathews will serve as the Senior Academic Officer and Administrative Officer of the campus. Dr. Mathews will also have an appointment as Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.