Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Stowe and Whistler are doing their parts, but historically low snow fall in the western United States has resulted in disappointing results, both in skier days but even more so in associated retail sales. Vail Resorts, Inc (NYSE: MTN) has reported certain ski season metrics for the comparative periods from the beginning of the ski season through January 7, 2018, and for the prior year period through January 8, 2017. The reported ski season metrics are for its North American mountain resorts, adjusted as if Stowe was owned in both periods and also adjusted to eliminate the impact of foreign currency by applying current period exchange rates to the prior period for Whistler Blackcomb's results. The metrics exclude results from Perisher and its urban ski areas in both periods.

by Kevin Mullin, GMCB Medical costs in Vermont related to asthma, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease have increased from $1.52 billion in 2010 to $2.04 billion in 2015. According to the Vermont Department of Health, the costs related to chronic diseases are expected to continue increasing by 75 percent from 2010 to 2020. The Vermont Department of Health points to poor diet as one of the three main factors responsible for these diseases.

It shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that the adult obesity rate in Vermont has steadily climbed from 10% in 1990 to over 25% currently. In fact, more than 6 out of 10 Vermonters are now at an unhealthy weight. Our youngest Vermonters are already on the same path as the adult population; almost 30% are overweight or obese. The poor health caused by obesity and the escalating medical costs are an increasing burden on Vermont.

by John McClaughry The House and Senate health care committee chairs in Montpelier are pondering new adventures in health care policy for 2018. High on their list is a Vermont individual insurance mandate. The mandate to purchase government-approved insurance has had a four year run in Washington. It was made a cornerstone of Obamacare because older people are sicker than young people. If health insurance premiums are set according to an age group’s risk of incurring medical expenses, the premiums for sixty-year olds will be as much as five times the premiums for twenty-year olds.

Vermont Business Magazine Unused drugs or over-the-counter medications left in the home can find their way into the hands of children or potential addicts, and in-home disposal methods like flushing down the drain or throwing in the trash can contaminate waterways. Gifford Medical Center has installed a collection kiosk in their main lobby where people can safely dispose of unused or expired medications.

Vermont Business Magazine One hundred years ago, Putnam Memorial Hospital opened its doors in Bennington. While the facility, practices, and technology have changed dramatically throughout the century, the commitment to delivering exceptional health care to the community has remained constant. In honor of its Centennial year and in partnership with the Bennington Museum, Southwestern Vermont Health Care is proud to present artifacts, stories, and images from its 100-year history. A Century of Caring, an exhibition of Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s 100-year history, will open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday, February 1, 2018, at the Bennington Museum, 75 Main St, Bennington, Vermont. The museum’s Community Day is Saturday, February 3. Admission is free on that day.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power is warning customers about a bill payment phone scam that threatens customers with disconnection within the hour if they do not pay immediately. Customers received calls claiming to be from GMP and giving the customer a fake toll-free number to call, which is answered by a recording claiming to be Green Mountain Power. These calls are not from Green Mountain Power, and customers should hang up if they receive a call with such demands. If customers have any questions about their account status, they should call the authorized phone number for GMP, 888.TEL.GMPC (888.835.4672).

Vermont Business Magazine Liquid Measurement Systems, Inc announced today that the company’s former Chief Operations Officer (COO) and General Counsel, W Scott Fewell, has been named Chief Executive Officer of the Georgia firm, effective January 1st. He has taken the reins from the company’s owner, George Lamphere, who assumes the role of Chairman. Lamphere has led the Company through a period of steady growth and expansion since 2000. Today, LMS is one of Vermont’s fastest growing aerospace companies, specializing in the design, development and manufacture of fuel measurement technologies for commercial and military aircraft.

Vermont Business Magazine FirstLight, a leading fiber-optic bandwidth infrastructure services provider operating in the Northeast, announced today that it is substantially complete with the integration of Finger Lakes Technologies Group (“FLTG”) and that FLTG is now officially FirstLight. The brand change follows the acquisition of FLTG by FirstLight in September and marks yet another milestone for the company. FirstLight is also expanding its partnership network,Vermont Business Magazine FirstLight, a leading fiber-optic bandwidth infrastructure services provider operating in the Northeast, announced today that it is substantially complete with the integration of Finger Lakes Technologies Group (“FLTG”) and that FLTG is now officially FirstLight. The brand change follows the acquisition of FLTG by FirstLight in September.

Leonine Public Affairs The second week of the legislative session was quiet. Aside from the Senate passing the marijuana legalization bill not much action was taken in either chamber. The legalization bill now moves to Governor Scott’s desk for his signature and he has confirmed he will sign it. When the governor signs the bill, Vermont will become the first state to legalize marijuana through legislation opposed to referendum. However, beyond marijuana legalization the committees have not yet advanced many bills to the House and Senate floors, which is typical at this early stage of the session.

by Mike Smith Two hot button issues last week highlighted questions of public confidence: a firing and a battle to lay claim to the affordability agenda. The executive editor of The Burlington Free Press, Denis Finley, was fired after posting on his personal Twitter account the following: “Awesome! That makes us one step closer to the apocalypse.” He was responding to a proposal to add a third gender option on driver’s licenses in this state. Now there are only two: male and female.

The Free Press reported that Finley was fired because he “violated the company’s social media guidelines on a number of occasions.”

Denis Finley. Twitter image.

by Randolph T Holhut/The Commons The School for International Training in Brattleboro is about to undergo a major transition. SIT still will have its headquarters in Brattleboro, but according to its president, Dr Sophia Howlett, its educational programs will expand to the more than 30 countries where SIT has learning sites. Last week, SIT issued a news release saying it would no longer offer full-time graduate programs in Brattleboro. The emphasis will be shifted to developing a new, full-time, global master’s degree program that will instead use SIT’s overseas program centers.

Vermont Business Magazine By unanimous vote, the Vermont State Colleges System Board of Trustees has elected J. Churchill Hindes as its chair. Hindes will lead the 15-member board, which provides governance and stewardship for the VSCS and its institutions—Castleton University, Community College of Vermont, Northern Vermont University and Vermont Technical College. Working with the Chancellor and college leaders, the Board focuses on fulfilling and sustaining the VSCS Mission, “For the benefit of Vermont, the Vermont State Colleges system provides affordable, high quality, student-centered, and accessible education, fully integrating professional, liberal, and career study, consistent with student aspirations and regional and state needs.”