Current News

Vermont Business MagazineIt's that time of year when prospective college students are researching and applying for college admission. Students are eager to find the right college to prepare them for the career and life of their dreams. A top concern of prospective students, and their parents, is the cost of that dream education, and how to pay for it.Green Mountain College(GMC), in Poultney is recognized as the nation's number-one ranked curriculum for environmental, social and economic sustainability. GMCprepares students for productive and fulfilling lives to make a positive difference in the world. And the college is equally dedicated to making their "First in Sustainability" education affordable.

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine The City of Burlington today released the final Schurz Communications Letter of Intent (LOI), following the City Council’s approval of the conceptual LOI at its last meeting on November 27, 2017. The non-binding LOI will be discussed at the City Council’s next meeting on December 11, 2017, and Council’s vote on the definitive documents that memorialize the commitments in the LOI is expected on December 18, 2017.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott issued an Executive Order this week, updating and enhancing the Executive Code of Ethics (Executive Order No. 19-17). Historically, the Code of Ethics has reflected a governor’s interest in ensuring fairness and impartiality in the conduct of State business, while at the same time encouraging the recruitment and retention of those best qualified to serve in government.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders today issued statements calling on Senator Al Franken (D-Minn) to resign. Many of his Democratic colleagues have done likewise and reports indicate that Franken will do so.

Vermont Business Magazine The Contemporary Design Group has named the winner of the group’s 2017 Edward Haimsohn Design Award. First place went to Molinari Design for the Rondo seating collection. The Rondo collection features a sofa and chair designed by Lucy Kurrein that was inspired by punching bags. First runner up went to the Unity dining table, designed by Sean Breen and Shawn Straffin for Lyndon Furniture.

Unity Table by Sean Breen and Shawn Straffin of Lyndon Furniture.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Pico Mountain, part of the POWDR adventure lifestyle company, secured a grant from the National Winter Sports Education Foundation (NWSEF) for $25,000 to bring affordable skiing and riding to local children. The Pico School Program is a 6-week ski/snowboard lesson program offered to students in grades 1st through 12th in local Vermont schools. During the 2016/17 season more than 400 students from 12 schools participated in the program. Lessons are 90 minutes long, held once a week, and available on Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays.

Vermont Business Magazine The White River Junction VA Medical Center (WRJ VAMC) has collaborated with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Hartford District Office for thirty-three years, providing holiday gifts for children within the foster care system. Each year, DCF employees work with the children and provide their wish list to the WRJ VAMC. The employees take time to select a child or two to ‘adopt’ for the holidays in hopes of making their dreams come true.

Vermont Business Magazine This Computer Science Education Week, the Springfield School District announced the launch of a comprehensive, school-wide computer science initiative for the middle and high schools supported by grants from the Siegel Family Endowment and the Vermont Community Foundation. In conjunction with this initiative, the Springfield School Board voted to make the school district the first in Vermont to make one semester of coding a high school graduation requirement.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Gas announced Wednesday that it is now generating its own renewable energy, thanks to nearly 100 solar panels it installed on its South Burlington Offices. The project, which is part of the Company’s commitment to sustainability, will allow the Company to produce clean energy and help contribute to a clean energy future.

“Vermont Gas is committed to playing a very active role in helping advance Vermont’s clean energy goals and our solar project is just the latest example of that commitment,” said Don Rendall, President and CEO of Vermont Gas. “We have joined forces with other utilities, as well as state and business leaders, to reaffirm our focus on helping customers choose renewable energy and I am very excited to start leveraging the power we create right at the office.”

Vermont Business MagazineLast fall,Saint Michael's College administrators decided it was time toupdate the school's curriculumin order to address issues that "pop-up" in our world today and create a space for educated discussion between students and their instructors about these issues.The solution was to offer "pop-up courses" -- classes that would be offered periodically for 0-1 credits by faculty in order to "create an opportunity for a short-term learning experience in response to a current, unfolding event or an identified need or interest that isn't being accommodated in the traditional curriculum."

Vermont Business MagazineIdentity theft has always been a top consumer concern. However, with Equifax’s massive data breach earlier this year and Uber’s last month, the topic’s discussion has spiked throughout American households. December is National Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month and aims to help consumers protect themselves against future data breaches and identity theft. While there is no bulletproof solution to identify theft, there are steps to take to ensure consumers are protecting themselves to the best of their ability.

Therefore, this December,Community Bank N.A.recommends taking a hard look at your personal security and following the steps below to helpprevent identity theft:

Vermont Business Magazine The Governor’s Institutes of Vermont (GIV) announced today that it was awarded a $5,000 grant from Wells Fargo.