Current News

byDrCarrie Wulfman My career as a family practice physician working in Vermont spans nearly two decades. I have been a practicing physician at Porter’s Brandon Primary Care Office (formerly Neshobe Family Medicine) for 18 years and I have seen many changes in medical practice over these years. One of the most positive changes I have seen is the creation of OneCare Vermont, a collaborative initiative between the University of Vermont Medical Center and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. One of the key aspects of OneCare is to reward primary care providers like me to work with our patients to keep them healthy rather than treating them only when they are sick. This approach is an effort to move away from the current fee-for-service system and move us to a value-based system focused on improving quality and promoting wellness by focusing on primary care for Vermonters.

by John McClaughry A recent announcement from the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) brought back vivid memories of a long- forgotten legislative episode of 25 years ago. The announcement came two weeks ago in a webinar sponsored by VPIRG and its ally the Vermont Natural Resource Council. The purpose of the webinar was to build support for their most recent plan to lay millions of dollars of new taxes on gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas and heating oil, some of which would, the advocates said, be returned to everyone through lower electric rates and assorted rebates (The ESSEX Plan).

Vermont Business Magazine The 4th Annual Jingle Bell on December 2 at the Hermitage Club in Wilmington, VT, hosted a sold-out crowd of more than 200 people and raised $130,000 for Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC). The evening began with a cocktail reception and a raffle for a pair of Von Bargen’s Jewelers diamond hoop earrings. The excitement continued with an elegant dinner and a live auction of eight premium packages, including court-side VIP box seats for the U.S. Open of Tennis in New York donated by Richard and Pamela Ader and a 7-day trip to Las Cabos, Mexico, donated by Dr. and Mrs. John and Marie LaPenta. Finally, the Putnam Challenge, a call to emulate the generosity of hospital founders Henry W. Putnam and his son, rounded out the evening’s program before hours of fun-filled dancing to the New York Players.

by Christine Hallquist With smart grid improvements and the increasing penetration of renewables, Vermont’s electric grid continues to transform in exciting ways. Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC), Vermont’s largest not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution utility, will continue to embrace these changes and challenges in the New Year. But before we look at 2018, let’s take stock of some of 2017’s highlights.

Vermont Business Magazine Everbridge, Inc (NASDAQ: EVBG) has been selected by the Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management as the new mass notification service provider for its statewide VT-ALERT program. VT-ALERT, powered by Everbridge, will enable Vermont authorities to communicate critical information directly to residents, businesses and visitors in near real-time. Everbridge is based in Massachusetts.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Climate Economy Action Team (CEAT) has released its action priorities for the 2018 legislative session. These initiatives will stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities in fast growing sectors that help mitigate the effects of climate change.

Vermont Business MagazineVermont spends over $1.6 billion a year in public education. This is higher than at any point in its history, but the number of students over the last 25 years has fallen by about 30,000. Property taxes will go up over 9 percent next year if the state doesn't do anything about lowering expenses, and Governor Phil Scott wants to do something about lowering expenses. But even he is not entirely sure how to go about it, since much of the solution relies on local school boards.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police is reporting that today (12/18/17) at approximately 11:55 am the TD Bank on Route 100 in Waitsfield was robbed. An individual dressed in dark clothing, wearing a mask and hood entered the bank. The suspect was armed with a firearm and demanded money from the bank tellers. The suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect was last seen on foot on Route 100 heading north from the bank. The suspect is described as 5’ 10” to 5’ 11” tall and weighing approximately 180 pounds. No one was injured in the robbery.

Anyone with information is asked to call State Police Detectives in Middlesex.

CASE#: 17A305259

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Lt. Jeremy Hill

STATION: Middlesex Barracks

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is making available up to $60,000 in Local Food Market Development (LFMD) Grants to assist eligible Vermont farmers, businesses, and value-chain facilitators to reach new markets. VAAFM works to support market opportunities with an institutional or other wholesale focus in Vermont.

This year the agency has engaged a public/private partnership with philanthropic partners to augment these efforts and match up to $30,000 from the Vermont legislature for this grant effort.

“The strong program similarities between the VAAFM’s Local Food Development Grant Program and the priorities of philanthropic partners’ farm to institution initiatives, provides an opportunity to grow economic success for Vermont agricultural businesses, while providing quality food to institutions like schools, colleges and hospitals,” says Secretary Anson Tebbetts.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan, in partnership with the Department of Financial Regulation, issued a report to the Vermont General Assembly that recommends regulation of the Data Broker Industry, otherwise known as “Big Data.” If the Assembly adopts the recommendations, Vermont would become the first state to implement Data Broker regulation.

“I have traveled all over the state and heard from many Vermonters who are frustrated and concerned that businesses are collecting their personal information, and people have no say in the matter,” said Attorney General Donovan. “Privacy is a fundamental value here in Vermont, and I look forward to work with the Assembly to draft a bill that will restore some balance in this area.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Board of the Grafton, Vermont-based Windham Foundation announced today that former Vermont Creamery CEO Bob Reese has been elected as a member of its Board of Trustees. Reese founded Vermont Creamery with Allison Hooper in 1984, where they led the company until 2017, when the company was acquired by Land O’Lakes, Inc.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement Monday regarding the end-of-year spending bill: "As I have stated many times, Congress must not break for recess unless it addresses some of the major crises facing this country. While Republicans believe that tax breaks for billionaires and large corporations is the nation's major priority, I strongly disagree. Here are some of the issues that Congress must deal with now. "We must act now to prevent 800,000 Dreamers, young people who were raised in this country and know no other home, from losing their legal status. Any end of the year spending agreement must address the fear and uncertainty unnecessarily caused by the administration's reckless actions, and a clean Dream Act must be signed into law.