Current News

by Secretary of State Jim Condos As Vermont’s Chief Elections Officer my responsibility is to ensure that our fundamental democratic voting rights are protected. I recently learned of language included in Section 4012 of H.R.2825, which provides for the reauthorization of the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which would allow armed Secret Service agents to enter polling locations – at the direction of the president. To say that I am shocked would be a severe understatement.

by Dan Monahan, SBA Mamava The owners of a Burlington company were named the 2018 Vermont Small Business Persons of the Year Monday. Sascha Mayer and Christine Dodson of Mamava are being recognized by the US Small Business Administration for employment growth, financial success, expansion and community involvement. Mamava designs and manufactures free-standing lactation suites for nursing mothers.

by Bob Bick and Catherine Simonson In the two weeks since the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, we’ve again come together as a community to say “never again.” As an organization whose mission is to actively promote well-being and a safe and healthy community, we know that we cannot fully understand the depth of the grief and trauma felt by those impacted. Here in Chittenden County, our school based clinicians, teachers, professional staff, and First Call for Chittenden County crisis responders are providing support to children and families who are experiencing heightened anxiety for their personal safety.

Following these now too common events, the national conversation often turns to the need for better mental health care as a preventive measure. We in the mental health care field have an important role to play in these conversations as a source of accurate input in support of informed dialogue.

Vermont Business Magazine The Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) requests proposals for comprehensive marketing services for its Regional Prevention Partnerships (RPP) grant program. With this RFP, RRMC seeks to acquire the services of a qualified marketing firm to support marketing initiatives for its Regional Prevention Partnerships (RPP) grant program. RRMC invites proposals from interested marketing agencies with extensive experience in brand development, strategic marketing, and creative direction; and, has proven success to guiding volunteer community work groups through the process of identifying and developing a cohesive, relevant, and engaging brand, messaging and marketing materials. Preference will be given to agencies providing a broad range of experience; portfolios with analogous projects.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND/OVERVIEW:

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care will present the 2018 Vision Awards at the organization’s inaugural Centennial Gala. The awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions in support of SVHC’s mission and the community. The event will take place on the eve of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center’s 100^th anniversary, Saturday, June 9, 2018, at the 1768 Hubbell Homestead at Colgate Park in Bennington.

This year, SVHC names two Vision Award honorees, a physician and a family, for their efforts to advance the health system’s vision of healthier communities. The Health Care Leadership Award recognizes a current or former member of the medical staff who demonstrates excellence in medical practice and patient care and whose service is aimed at improving health care in our region. SVHC’s 2018 Health Care Leadership Award honoree is Michael E Brady, DDS.

Vermont Business Magazine Founding partners Lisa Senecal and Scott Labby announced today the launch of The Maren Group. The Maren Group is a private consulting group focused on issues of economic abuse including sexual harassment, discrimination, domestic violence, and child support enforcement (collectively “SDDC”). While this abuse primarily affects women, it results in broad and significant costs for all individuals, businesses, and the economy as a whole. The Maren Group works with individuals, corporations, nongovernmental organizations, and investors to investigate, audit, and manage both specific cases and general practices. The Group also addresses broader social policy issues and practices that increase risk to individuals, employers, reputations, and shareholder value.

by John McClaughry Over the past six weeks the House Ways and Means Committee has diligently worked to produce a coherent bill to shift Education Fund spending from some people and districts to other people and districts, and erect a disincentive to excessive school district spending. This is a very intricate and difficult task that, frankly, probably 90% of the legislators don’t readily understand.

Its proposals have included lowering school property tax rates in 2020, changing the parameters in the school property tax-determination formula, eliminating the income sensitivity program that lets 70% of Vermonters pay school taxes on the basis of their incomes, creating a new $59 million income tax education surcharge, and putting every school district into what up to now has been punitive excess spending territory.

Vermont Business Magazine The North Country Hospital Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of President & CEO, Claudio Fort. Fort is leaving to fill the position of long-time CEO of Rutland Regional Medical Center, Thomas Huebner, who is retiring at the end of March. Chairman of the North Country Hospital Board of Trustees, Frank Knoll, expressed appreciation for Fort’s nine years of service at the helm of North Country Hospital, stating: “Claudio has left the organization well positioned for the future and we wish him continued success in his new position.”

The North Country Hospital Board of Trustees is working with Fort to develop a transition plan and begin the search process for Fort’s successor.

Vermont Business Magazine The City of South Burlington has reached a tentative agreement with Shawn Burke to be the next chief of police. Burke will fill the position upon the retirement of Chief Trevor Whipple in January 2019. Burke currently is deputy chief at the Burlington Police Department.

Public Assets Institute The unemployment rate often tops the headlines, but it’s the number of people working that counts. In January in Vermont that number reached its highest point in five years. Employment exceeded 335,200 for the first time since March 2013. While still below the 2006 pre-recession peak, employment has been trending upward over the last year.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program, a program of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, awarded a total of $368,794 to 12 Vermont farms through its Water Quality and Dairy Improvement Grant programs. Five farms from Rutland, Franklin, and Addison counties were awarded $146,829 in Water Quality Grants. These grants leveraged $1.6 million in additional funding for capital improvement projects to reduce runoff and improve manure management and soil health. The Viability Program grants are matched by the farmers’ funds, bank loans, and grant funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Funding for the Water Quality Grants comes from the State of Vermont’s Capital Construction and Bonding Act.

Vermont Business Magazine Capital projects totaling $10 million will enhance the Stratton experience throughout the year, with a new high-speed Snow Bowl lift topping the list of investments for 2018-19. Now part of the Alterra Mountain Company family, Stratton skiers will enjoy the ride on a new Doppelmayr lift designed and situated to minimize the impact of wind and inclement weather while providing easier access to beginner terrain from the summit of southern Vermont’s highest peak as well as to signature trails including the double-black diamond World Cup, which hosted Vermont’s first ever World Cup races in 1978.