Current News

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) visited Peoples Academy in Morrisville Monday morning to have an open conversation with students about their aspirations and goals after graduating high school. “It’s important that we understand how students see their options as they prepare to graduate high school,” said Sanders, who serves on the Senate education committee.

“Do they have adequate information to determine the best college for them and how they can finance a higher education? If they are not going to college, do they know how to get training to secure the best jobs that are out there?” Sanders said.

Sanders was joined by Vermont Agency of Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe, Vermont Department of Labor Commissioner Lindsay Kurrle, local business owners, and other state and regional education and workforce development leaders.

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger released the following statement today in response to the announcements of Carina Driscoll and Infinite Culcleasure: "I welcome Carina Driscoll and Infinite Culcleasure to the mayor's race. Burlingtonians deserve healthy democratic debate and real choice at the ballot box..."

Vermont Business MagazineVermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) will not seek a rate increase for January 2018, marking the fourth consecutive year that VEC has kept rates flat. Earlier in the year, VEC anticipated that a rate increase would be necessary, but VEC staff worked hard to identify savings in power supply and transmission as well as in other areas.

Vermont Business MagazineThe Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition (VAHC), a state leader in housing policy, research and advocacy, today issued the following statement on the tax bill recently passed by the USHouse of Representatives and under consideration in the Senate:At a time when Vermont already has ashortage of 10,866 affordable homesfor extremely low income renters and the5thhighest affordability gap for rentersin the country, the pending tax proposals would eliminate tax credits and financing tools that have helped create thousands of affordable apartments in our state and made homeownership more affordable for thousands of Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine Davis & Hodgdon Associates CPAs and Generator BTV have announced a multi-year sustainable partnership. The relationship, labeled by Davis & Hodgdon as a “Signature Partnership”, begins with the firm’s sponsorship of an administrative/marketing intern and support for Generator’s upcoming Jump/Start program. Davis & Hodgdon introduced the “Signature Partnership” concept in 2014 to leverage the firm’s financial resources and the skills and expertise of their staff. Through this alliance, the firm will support Generator through all aspects of giving: sponsorship, pro-bono work, volunteer opportunities and beyond.

Vermont Business Magazine AIV's annual meeting is the premier forum for addressing critical manufacturing and economic issues facing Vermont, bringing together leaders from across business and public sectors, and it is holding its 97th Annual MeetingDecember 14at the Capitol Plaza in Montpelier. This year AIV is focusing on one of the greatest challenges for manufacturing and many other sectors in Vermont -- addressing the education and training necessary to keep Vermont's workforce productive and competitive.

Vermont Business MagazineMettowee Mill Nursery, Garden Center and Landscaping Inchasbeen sold to David Lawrence. This business is a full-service nursery, gardencenter and landscaping service and has been owned by Steve and Lee Jonessince 1973. David Lawrence owns Rising Sun Landscaping also of Dorset. Heplans to continue both businesses.

Vermont Business Magazine The Small Business Administration Vermont District Office is accepting nominations for its 2018 small business awards.Previous Vermont winners include Ben and Jerry’s, Switchback Brewing Company and Maple Landmark, 2017 Small Business Person of the Year winner. Since 1963, the SBA has recognized the outstanding achievements of America’s small businesses for their contributions to their local communities, and to the nation’s economy.

The award categories are:

by Mike Smith When we think of Washington, DC, we often conjure up images of a city filled with political and social elites focused on self-preservation and personal enhancement. Where responsibility for others is supplanted by self-aggrandizement and concern for one’s own comfort. A city disconnected from the struggles and interests of those outside its boundaries.

Columnist Peggy Noonan depicted these elites this way: “They’re barricaded behind the things the influential have, from good neighborhoods to security alarms, doormen and gates. They’re not dark in their imagining of the future because history has never been dark for them; it’s been sunshine, which they expect to continue. They sail on, oblivious to the legitimate anxieties of their countrymen who live near the edge.”

Vermont Business MagazineThe Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) Board of Trustees announcedFridayat the conclusion of their meeting that Castleton University’s Spartan Stadium will be renamed Dave Wolk Stadium in honor of his 16 years of visionary service as University President.Governor Phil Scott was on hand to read the official VSCS resolution, which lauded Wolk’s vision, values, passion, and dedication. The resolution highlighted the nearly $100 million in infrastructure improvements as well as the additions to athletics, the arts, and academic offerings during Wolk’s tenure.

Designed to pay tribute to the region’s rich railroad history, the stadium’s architecture mimics that of the historic railroad depots in the area and is the crown jewel of the Castleton Student Initiative, a $25.7 million project designed to enhance all aspects of the student experience.

Vermont Business Magazine Older Driver Safety Awareness Week (Dec. 4-8) reminds drivers and families that resources are available regarding driving in the aging population. It’s a fact of life that individuals experience physical and mental changes with age, sometimes so minor they may not even be noticed. But older adults can also experience other changes, such as slower reaction times, night blindness or pain and stiffness, which can affect driving skills.

Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) offers comprehensive clinical assessments for those who may be at high risk for an automobile crash. The process for this assessment typically involves the following steps:

Vermont Business Magazine Barred Woods LLC is pleased to announce a new line of healthy, handcrafted Maple Granola products.The granola is produced in Hardwick, VT at the Vermont Food Venture Center.The granola is made from organic oats and sweetened with Pure Vermont Maple Syrup.Two flavors are available: maple pecan with pumpkin seeds and cranberries and maple pecan with almonds and raisins.It is available in three sizes - 8 ounce, 12 ounce, and 16 ounce - and will be available is stores across New England as well as online.