Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont is about to experience round two of a bitter cold snap that is affecting much of the northeast. Sub-zero temperatures and strong winds are in the future again this weekend and the National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for parts of Vermont where wind chills are expected between 20 and 40 below zero. With weather like this forecasted, it’s important that Vermonters take steps to stay safe and warm.

“Vermont Gas technicians are prepared to work day and night to ensure our customers stay warm,” said Don Rendall, Vermont Gas President and CEO. “Vermonters can be prepared by making sure heating systems are operating properly and vents are free from ice and snow before the cold snap hits.”

Vermont Gas has 24/7 emergency services for customers experiencing heating issues. The Company recommends some simple tips to try before calling:

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott delivered the 2018 State of the State address Thursday, highlighting progress made in 2017, and recommitting to an agenda focused on economic growth and affordability, while protecting the vulnerable. He got his loudest applause and most sustained standing ovation when he declared that Vermont could lead the way, as it has so many times in different ways, in bringing civility back to the public discourse, both political and personal. The governor also promised to hold the line on taxes, including the property tax, which could increase 7 percent if education spending isn't curbed.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power is preparing for strong wind expected late this afternoon and tonight that could cause power outages. Damaging weather is expected across the state, and especially in southeastern areas. With severely cold temperatures expected to follow, GMP urges customers to be safe and prepared.

“We are very aware of the severe cold that will be following the wind storm, so are especially focused on restoring power as quickly as possible and keeping customers and crews safe,” said Dorothy Schnure, GMP spokesperson. “In addition to being prepared, customers should most importantly stay clear of any downed power lines, which could be carrying electricity.”

Outages in storms are frequently caused by cars and trucks sliding into poles, so the public is encouraged to stay off the roads, if possible, and to drive with extra caution.

Vermont Business Magazine - Hagan Associates has won a 2017 Davey Award for its work redesigning Burlington International Airport’s website. The Davey Awards honor creative work from the best small agencies, firms, and companies worldwide.

The Davey Awards are judged and overseen by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA), a 700+ member organization of leading professionals from various disciplines of the visual arts dedicated to embracing progress and the evolving nature of traditional and interactive media. Current membership represents a "who's who" of acclaimed media, advertising, and marketing firms including: Code and Theory, Condé Nast, Disney, GE, Keller Crescent, Microsoft, Monster.com, and many others.

Vermont Business Magazine NextCapital, the leader in enterprise digital advice, has completed its Series C Preferred Stock financing. Oak HC/FT, the premier venture fund investing in early to growth stage tech-enabled financial services and healthcare companies, led the funding round. Existing NextCapital shareholders Manulife Financial, Transamerica Ventures, Vermont Seed Capital Fund and Route 66 Ventures also participated. The company recently opened an office in Burlington. Rob Foregger, co-founder, is a Vermont native and Stowe resident.

Vermont Business Magazine Yesterday President Trump announced that the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity was dissolved by executive order. Secretary Condos, who has been critical of the Commission from the outset, responded, “I am not surprised that this troubled and bogus Commission has been shut down. Since its formation, the faulty charge of this Commission has been to use trumped up claims of widespread voter fraud, with zero evidence, to weaken confidence in the integrity of our elections and push an aggressive voter suppression agenda.”

The Commission, chaired by Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Vice President Mike Pence, has been embroiled in legal controversy, facing a litany of legal challenges following a request for all states to turn over sensitive and private voter information, including dates of birth, driver’s license numbers and social security numbers.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced that President Donald Trump has signed a major disaster declaration for Addison, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Washington, and Windham counties. Those counties suffered substantial damage during wind and rain storms on October 29 and 30. A Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) identified $3.7 million in public infrastructure damage statewide far exceeding the $1 million minimum Vermont must show to be considered for a disaster declaration. That estimate only accounts for enough identified damage to qualify for federal Public Assistance funding.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC)’s Health Care Share (HCS) was among four national Youth Corps projects honored by The Corps Network at the end of 2017. The HCS is a community-based public health project that connects Vermont families unable to afford or access nutritious food with a weekly share of farm fresh produce. The program is managed by VYCC staff and supported largely through AmeriCorps service members.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) is one of only four hospitals in Vermont to receive the prestigious 5-star rating for Overall Hospital Quality from the federal government in 2017. Of the 4,579 hospitals nationwide eligible to receive a Star Rating, only 260 hospitals, or 5.68 percent, in the US earned the top mark.

AccuWeather AccuWeather reports the harshest wave of cold so far this season will take hold of the northeastern United States by the first weekend of January. High temperatures in Vermont are expected not to get above zero on Saturday. In part of the mid-Atlantic coast and New England, the cold will follow a powerful snowstorm with blizzard conditions on Thursday and Thursday night.

Temperatures will be less harsh, relative to recent days, on Wednesday, generally around 10 degrees Fahrenheit below normal as opposed to 20 or more degrees below normal.

"After a brief moderation from the cold at midweek, more bitter cold and downright harsh air will return," AccuWeather Meteorologist Kyle Elliott said.

This air mass will be about 5-10 degrees lower than the one that froze the Northeast during the final few days of December and start of January, according to Elliott.

Vermont Business Magazine Motorists will be digging a bit deeper for the second straight year as the yearly national average will rise 19 cents versus last year to $2.57 per gallon, the highest since 2014, according to the 2018 Fuel Price Outlook released today by GasBuddy, the only smartphone app connecting 70 million drivers with their Perfect Pit Stop.

Some highlights from GasBuddy’s 2018 Fuel Price Outlook include:

Vermont Business Magazine EPA has tips for New England homeowners who are heating their homes with wood burning stoves, fireplaces or boilers. Wood smoke is made up of a mixture of fine particles and toxic gases that can harm your health. Fine particle pollution isn’t healthy to breathe indoors or out, especially for children, older adults and those with heart disease, lung diseases, including asthma. Exposure to fine particles has been linked to heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, heart failure and stroke in people with heart disease, and may also increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.

Regardless of the type of wood heater you use, you should not smell smoke inside your home or see smoke coming out of your chimney except during start up.

Here are some wood-burning tips to follow: