Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Below is a statement from the University of Vermont, attributed it to Enrique Corredera, executive director of news and public affairs, and issued Thursday night. Protesters had blocked Main Street in Burlington Thursday to support racial justice after recent incidents on the UVM campus. Protesters asserted that UVM has not done enough to address racism.

"The University does not condone any activity that can result in serious unintended consequences. Taking over a major intersection in the city of Burlington, and impacting the lives of thousands of individuals and families is such an activity.

"The University will remain focused on the work it is doing to advance its diversity and inclusion goals, and will continue to speak out against every form of racism, bigotry and injustice on our campus.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today delivered a memo to the Vermont Legislature outlining immediate and longer-term actions he’d like to work with the Legislature on to maintain the safest, healthiest and strongest communities and schools. Following delivery of the memo, the governor delivered the below statement at his weekly press conference.

Vermont Business Magazine Over 80 middle and high school students joined forces today in a grassroots effort to bring student voices in support of common sense gun legislation. The students advocated for passage of three bills currently before the legislature to improve safety for students and all Vermonters. Many noted the importance of passing universal background checks as a first step to improving safety.

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine You can fill up your car with electricity for the equivalent of $1.50 a gallon of gas. Burlington Electric Department has a way to drop that to around $1 a gallon equivalent, while also reducing the upfront costs of electric vehicles. The upfront cost has been the primary barrier for people who want an EV from buying an EV. Burlington Electric today, in partnership with three local credit unions, launched a first-in-Vermont, new financing program to help make EVs more affordable for its customers. The plan could reduce upfront costs or financing for both fully electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The credit unions – Green Mountain Credit Union, Vermont Federal Credit Union, and VSECU – are offering low- and, under certain circumstances, no-interest loans and allowing Burlington Electric customers to apply their $600, $1,200, or $1,800 Burlington Electric EV incentives toward the purchase of EVs.

by Jack Hoffman Public Assets Institute Before Vermonters can assess the new education funding bill emerging in the Vermont House, they need to see a thorough analysis of winners and losers. The plan is being touted as a major shift from property taxes to income taxes to pay for education. But looking at the proposed education revenue numbers, there isn’t much of a shift. In fact, there will be slightly less in income taxes and slightly more in property taxes going into the Education Fund than under the current system.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s iconic landscape, including its mountains, woods, water, and wildlife, are some of the many reasons people choose to call the Green Mountain State home. This spring, Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore invites the public to join her for a series of conversations about Vermont’s land and water.

Vermont Business Magazine In a press conference today Attorney General TJ Donovan, Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman, Speaker of the House Mitzi Johnson and Senate President Pro Tempore Tim Ashe voiced their support for commonsense gun legislation. Senate President Ashe announced a plan to bring meaningful gun legislation to the Senate floor for a vote next week. The four elected officials voiced collective support for protecting victims of domestic violence and empowering law enforcement to protect the public and conduct effective risk assessments.

Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont will receive $140,000 from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (Merrill Lynch) and Lawrence K. Barber as a result of a Department of Financial Regulation investigation. Commissioner Michael S. Pieciak announced today that Merrill Lynch and Barber will pay a combined administrative penalty of $98,000 to the general fund, $30,000 to reimburse the Department for the costs of its investigation. They will also pay a combined $12,000 to the Department’s investor education and training fund.

The investigation stemmed from a customer complaint seeking reimbursement from Merrill Lynch for losses incurred due to the actions of Barber, a registered broker-dealer agent and investment advisor representative in Merrill Lynch’s Burlington office.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Technical College, Copley Hospital, and a multi-faceted Workforce Development Group are pleased to announce that an Associate Degree in Nursing program will be available again in Lamoille County thanks to technology and partnerships. Representatives from Vermont Technical College, Northern Vermont University/Johnson State College (JSC) Distance Education Programs, Copley Hospital, The Manor, Green Mountain Technical & Career Center, Lamoille Home Health & Hospice, Visiting Nurses Association of Vermont, Morrisville After School Program, and the Lamoille Region Chamber of Commerce formed a Workforce Development Group in July 2017 with the goal to bring a nursing degree program to Lamoille County.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Maple Innovations, a startup founded by students from Vermont Tech, took first place at the LaunchVT Collegiate final pitch competition, winning $4,000 and a coveted spot in the 2018 LaunchVT cohort. Jack Beauparlant, from Danville, VT and Manny Aretakis from Pembroke, ME have developed a new tool for tapping trees that is lighter, ergonomic and more efficient than traditional tools, and sells for a fraction of the price. The combination of a competitive advantage in product value and price, combined with the sizeable market in New England earned the VTC student entrepreneurs the top prize.

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine In October 2012, an Irish cider maker and beverage distributor stunned the Vermont business world by paying $305 million for Vermont Hard Cider Company, the maker of the Woodchuck brand. By all accounts it did not go well. Within two years the owner enlisted the Pabst Brewing Company to distribute and market the brands as sales did not meet expectations. Pabst also had a $150 million option to buy VTHCC.

On Tuesday, C&C Group plc, owner of the Middlebury cidery, announced that VTHCC on April 1 will resume full responsibility for the sales and marketing of the Group’s portfolio of cider brands in the US, including Woodchuck, Wyders and Magners. By mutual agreement the Group will terminate its current arrangements with Pabst.

Vermont Business Magazine Altus Power America, Inc and Reservoir Road Holdings, LLC recently combined efforts to develop two 648 kW DC ground-mounted solar systems located in the Town of Highgate, Vermont. The two arrays are built over old gravel pits on Frontage Road, converting previously unusable land into a renewable energy generator.