Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development has awarded $464,920 in Municipal Planning Grants to 37 projects proposed by towns and cities across the state. Fifty municipalities applied for the grants, requesting over $600,000 to help them prepare for future challenges that they face.

Vermont Business MagazineGovernor Phil Scott today announced he’s appointed 42 Vermonters to State boards and commissions in the month of November. Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities.The governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations.

Vermont Business Magazine Karen MScolforo, EdD, officially began her tenure as President of Castleton University on December 4, 2017. DrScolforo is the fourth woman to lead the University since its founding in 1787, and the tenth president of the modern era. She joins the Castleton family after spending four years as president at Central Penn College located in Summerdale and Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

“I am grateful to be in a position to help lead such a wonderful university. I cannot thank the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) Board of Trustees enough for this opportunity,” Scolforo said. “The first time I stepped foot on the campus, I felt as if I was already home. I’m looking forward to learning and growing alongside our students, faculty, and staff.”

Vermont Business MagazineFor more than 14 years, Logic Supply (www.logicsupply.com) has been developing highly reliable computer hardware for demanding applications. The South Burlington company pioneered the use of Intel's Next Unit of Computing (NUC) motherboard within industrial PCs, and today has announced their latest fanless NUC, theML100G-31. This brand new system joins Logic Supply'sML100 Seriesof fanless NUC computers, and is powered by Intel's new Dawson Canyon motherboard, enabling 7th generation Core processing in a chassis that fits in the palm of your hand.

Vermont Business MagazineBen & Jerry's co-foundersBen CohenandJerry Greenfieldtook the stage at the Howard Theater last night with Rev. Dr.William J. Barber IIand Rev. Dr.Liz Theoharisto announce the ice cream makers' support of thePoor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. A portion of the proceeds from Ben & Jerry's newOne Sweet Worldlimited batch flavor will benefit the campaign's efforts to promote economic and racial justice. After the announcement, Aloe Blacc, Maxwell, Sweet Honey in the Rock, JPeriod,Yara Allen,Gina BelafonteandVan Jonesheadlined the "We are Here" concert presented bySankofa.orgin support of the campaign.

Vermont Business MagazineA new study by Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Chief of Surgery DrRichard Barth offers surgeons specific guidelines for post-surgery prescriptions for pain-relieving opioids. The study, published in theJournal of the American College of Surgeons, recommends that patients who have major abdominal surgery should be able to control their pain at home by taking the same number of opioids they took the day before they were discharged.

Vermont Business MagazineThe number of people with health insurance has increased significantly in recent years, with more than 20 million Americans gaining health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Vermont has some of the lowest uninsured rates in the country, and now, during the Open Enrollment period for Vermont Health Connect, is the time to build on this progress.

“Vermont hospitals believe that health care coverage is an essential part of achieving our vision of a healthy, vibrant Vermont,” said Jeff Tieman, Vermont Association for Hospitals and Health Systems (VAHHS) president and CEO. “Coverage improves access to care, improves health outcomes, incentivizes appropriate use of health care resources, and reduces financial strain on individuals and families.”

Vermont Business MagazineChamplain College Online, designated as aNational Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security,has announced a new chair of cybersecurity programs. Kathleen Hyde, MCIS, MBA, will help equip Champlain’s adult students with the business and technical skills to solve some of the nation’s most complex information security challenges.

Vermont Business Magazine Randolph Chimney Saver’s gave an extra boost to Gifford’s GivingTuesdayEmployee Food Drive this year, matching a dollar for every pound of food collected on the Randolph campus. Gifford staff presented 1,198 pounds of food and Chimney Savers Co-Owner Paul Bianco presented a matching check to the Randolph Food Shelf’s Jo Busha onTuesday, November 28.

This is the second year that Gifford has participated in Giving Tuesday, a national day of giving on theTuesdayafter Thanksgiving, and employees exceeded last year’s 1,020 pound food donation. Gifford staff at community clinics in Bethel, Berlin, Sharon, and White River Junction donated their collections to the food shelves in their towns.

Vermont Business Magazine Iora Health and UnitedHealthcare have established a new network relationship, givingNew HampshireandVermontresidents enrolled in UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans access to physicians at Iora Health's Dartmouth Health Connect primary care practice inHanover, NH. "Iora was founded on the belief that relationships heal, and we have built our teams and approach to care around this foundation," saidDuncan Reece, Senior Vice President and General Manager,Iora Health. "We're thrilled to extend our reach and impact by serving UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members inNew HampshireandVermontat Dartmouth Health Connect."

Vermont Business Magazine Bar Harbor Bankshares concluded their annual “Food for Good” community food drive on November 17, 2017.This year the event took place in Maine at 14 Bar Harbor Bank & Trust branches as well as in New Hampshire and Vermont at 35 branches of Lake Sunapee Bank, a division of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. More than 6,400 food items and over $5,900 were collected and delivered to local food pantries prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. “On behalf of the Bank, I would like to thank everyone who gave a gift of healthy food to our neighbors in need by donating to the food drive,” said Margie Gray at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “These gifts helped fill Thanksgiving food baskets and stock the shelves of local food pantries for the winter months ahead.”

by John McClaughry On December 18 Governor Phil Scott will convene an Education Summit, to address “the crisis of affordability and how it impacts the opportunities we are able to provide our children.” In his letter announcing the Summit to “education leaders” – apparently referring to the public school establishment – the governor wants long-term cost containment in the public school system.

So did Governor Dean, who urged a statewide teachers’ salary contract and threatened to micromanage high spending school districts (but didn’t). So did Gov. Douglas, who in his final state of the state message in 2010 proposed that the State mandate acceptable teacher-to-pupil ratios (the legislature declined).