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Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced his Administration has officially opened Stage One of the Vermont Phosphorus Innovation Challenge (VPIC). Stage One is a reverse pitch, calling for proposals of creative, viable approaches to effectively remove phosphorus from manure or other organic waste streams, so that phosphorous can be used as a commodity to create economic development opportunities.

by Chris Graff Vermont Business Magazine “One hundred years of bondage – broken,” shouted Philip Henderson Hoff on election night 1962 as a deliriously happy crowd in Winooski lifted him on their shoulders. Hoff had broken a century of Republican rule, ousting incumbent Gov. F. Ray Keyser Jr. So many factors combined to make that win possible: Hoff was young, handsome and energetic: He was viewed in the mold of then-President John F. Kennedy.

Vermont Business Magazine The election of Democrat Phil Hoff as governor in 1962 was a watershed moment in Vermont political history. Hoff broke the GOP’s century-long hold on the governor’s office by defeating F Ray Keyser, Jr. Hoff served six high-energy years, transforming just about every aspect of the state’s life. Perhaps most significantly, he presided over the end of the the one-town, one-vote legislative rule. Hoff himself had been the lone member in the Vermont House of Representatives from Burlington. Hoff was only 38 when he was elected governor. Today Senator Patrick Leahy announced that Hoff had died at 93.

Vermont Business Magazine VPR has won four Regional Edward R Murrow Awards for our news coverage from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the world’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. The awards include: Best News Documentary: "Why Is Vermont So Overwhelmingly White?;" Hard News: "Some Immigrants Flee U.S., Knowingly Walking Into Police Arrest In Canada;" Excellence in Writing: "The Millennial Farmer: Balancing Crops, Student Loans and Social Media;" and Best Website: VPR.net.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police announced today that 18-year-old Jack Sawyer was released from custody on Friday morning, April 27, 2018. Sawyer was arrested following reports that he had made threats to Fair Haven Union High School on February 16, 2018. Sawyer has been released to the custody of his father and is under a 24/7 curfew at his residence. Sawyer is prohibited from entering the town of Fair Haven, possessing any firearms or dangerous weapons/devices, accessing the internet, or being present on any school property.

by Philip Smith For mid-market companies in Vermont, business success and responsible growth aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, prioritizing responsible growth is becoming increasingly important and successful companies are making sustainability central to their growth strategies. Beyond good corporate citizenship, they are recognizing the intrinsic link between the strength of their business and that of the communities and economies in which they operate. Leading your growth with those goals in mind builds resilience and better solutions for the future. Consider the following:

• Responsible growth companies perform better. Companies that consider the impact of risks and opportunities on the environment, local communities and society may produce better financial results than those that don’t. Additionally, 90 percent of companies believe a sustainability plan is important for remaining competitive.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the Vice President for Research has announced the 2018/19 winners of the REACH Grant Program. REACH grants of up to $30,0000 are designed to promote innovative research, scholarship and creative projects that enhance UVM's reputation as an incubator for cutting-edge ideas; encourage faculty members to reach the next level of achievement in their research trajectory; and leverage institutional investment by providing the building blocks to support a larger application for competitive outside funding.

This year’s award winners and the research project for which they received grant funding are:

Vermont Business Magazine This afternoon, at a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vermont) sharply questioned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt on his misuse of taxpayer funds. Welch has co-sponsored a House ‘no confidence’ resolution (H.Res. 834) in response to Pruitt’s reported ethics violations, misuse of taxpayer funds, and policy actions that have undermined the agency’s core mission at the expense of the environment, public health and science.

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland’s Innovation Home, a super-efficient home to be given away in a contest designed to raise awareness about available jobs, energy innovation and the community, is weeks ahead of schedule – and organizers are extending the deadline to apply to win it. Green Mountain Power, Naylor & Breen Builders, the United Way of Rutland County, NBF Architects and dozens of partners started the project Feb. 26, and after just eight weeks are within a month of completion. Siding is going up, the interior got its first coat of paint on Monday, and lights, flooring and appliances will soon be installed.

Vermont Business Magazine Average retail gasoline prices in Vermont have risen 9 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.80/gallon Thursday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of gas outlets in the state. Burlington-area prices have risen to an average of $2.88. The southern counties of the state having the lowest, with the cheapest prices in Windham County, with an average price per gallon of $2.70. This compares with the national average that has increased 3.4 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.79/gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

In Vermont, prices are 36.4 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 17.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 17.7 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 38.8 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

by Lindsay Kurrle As the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and the former owner of a small gas station and convenience store, the conversations on minimum wage are something I’ve followed and evaluated closely for years, understanding both the impact on hard-working Vermonters and small businesses.

Vermont Business Magazine SCORE Vermont is growing and seeking volunteers with business experience to become mentors to small businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs. SCORE offers no cost, confidential business mentoring, free business tools, and workshops to help businesses thrive and reach their goals. SCORE mentoring services are offered via one-on-one meetings, or through emails and video. Business mentors generally have professional business experience in marketing, accounting, technology, law, banking, operations and managing small businesses. If you are seeking a high quality volunteer experience with a national organization we hope you will contact SCORE Vermont and learn more.