Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims continued to rise last week after a one-week reprieve. Claims have been increasing steadily since the end of summer. Claims are still lower than they were the same time last year, which has been the case for most weeks in 2017. Holiday hiring should reverse the increase in claims for a short period, until after Christmas when claims typically spike.

by Joyce Marcel Vermont Business Magazine There are two great threats to American democracy today and neither one are named Trump, said Vermont’s lone-ranger congressman, Peter Francis Welch (D-VT).

Vermont Business Magazine Unusual and seldom seen objects from Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum's eclectic collection will be unveiled at an Opening Party for 'Curious & Cool', a new exhibit opening onDecember 1st. Hundreds of items, many never displayed before, have been selected for the 'Curious & Cool' exhibit being underwritten by People's United Bank, Darn Tough and Ferro Estate & Custom Jewelers. The exhibit will run through October 2018 in Stowe.

"Each item, serious or silly, has a unique story to tell about the evolution of skiing and riding in Vermont", says curator Meredith Scott. "We are pulling a lot of amazing things, large and small, out of our archives and are excited to show them off". 'Curious & Cool' will surprise viewers with harebrained inventions, kitschy memorabilia, technology bloopers, short-lived fashions and après ski fads.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police have released a final report on the discovery of a small plane crash that claimed the life of a Massachusetts man on his way to Middlebury.On Wednesday (11/22/17), at approximately 1700 hrs, Pittsford Police Department and the Vermont State Police responded to reported aircraft incident in the area of Sugar Hollow Road in the town of Pittsford.

A caller contacted 911 and stated a small aircraft was flying low over the area and as it continued out of sight, they heard a loud noise. The caller was fearful the plane had crashed and added that they only heard a noise and did not see the plane crash nor did they see any wreckage.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont PBS has embarked on a strategic planning process to help us envision our future. The company is talking with members, viewers, partners, and industry experts as we look to enhance our service to Vermonters for the 21st century. As part of that effort, we’re visiting several Vermont communities for informal gatherings during November and December. Join us to hear some of our ideas and to share your thoughts.

Vermont Business Magazine Hiking up a mountain just to ski down it used to be a necessity, but recently it's become fashionable. Ernest Hemingway reputedly said skiing was ruined with the invention of the ski lift, when in his day you needed seal skins to climb up to the Alpine glaciers. And now Magic Mountain in Londonderry is embracing the machismo experience. Magic Mountain received its share of attention over the last year since new ownership brought new life to the southern Vermont ski area. The Wall Street Journal recently called it one of “The Five Best-Kept-Secret Ski Resorts in the US.” New lifts, increased snowmaking, improvements to the base lodge, and a renewed commitment to a classic, throwback Vermont ski area experience for its guests continues to create a buzz that has skiers and riders counting down the days for their first run of the new season.

Q: How’s the local economy doing? A:Pretty well, actually. We have a new company relocating to Montpelier, Caledonia Spirits (makers of the Bar Hill brand). That will improve net job creation by 30 or so persons. Enrollment in schools is up this year, we have several housing projects underway and a major hotel coming to downtown. Our pipeline of projects looks positive for the next 24 months or so. We are also hoping to add a new Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district in Montpelier that would be a huge boost to many projects and lift both our local and regional economy in the coming years. That process is already underway.

by Bruce Edwards, Vermont Business Magazine When the talk turns to the economy of Washington County and its major employers the usual names pop up: State of Vermont, Central Vermont Medical Center, Darn Tough, Keurig and National Life Group among others. But one educational institution, the oldest private military college in the country, plays no small role in the county’s economy.

Norwich University with a student body of 2,509 students and 850 employees makes a significant economic contribution.

Norwich President Richard Schneider said business is “booming.”

by Bruce Edwards, Vermont Business Magazine With Montpelier as the state capital and a rebuilt state office complex in Waterbury, Washington County is anchored by a contingent of thousands of state workers that help drive the economy. After the great flood from Tropical Storm Irene decimated the state complex and many other places in central Vermont, the rebuilding and resurgence is evident everywhere.

The Goodrich Family Farm in Salisbury will be the site of a new anaerobic digester that will produce renewable natural gas for the College.

Vermont Business Magazine Middlebury College will significantly reduce its carbon footprint thanks to an innovative partnership with Goodrich Family Farm in Salisbury, Vt., Vanguard Renewables of Wellesley, Mass., and Vermont Gas. Representatives from the four organizations involved discussed the partnership at a press briefing on November 16 at the College’s Kirk Center.

Vermont Business MagazineApplications are now open for Generator Jump/Start, a free twelve-week intensive residency program combined with a public lecture series created in collaboration with LaunchVT. Jump/Start is designed to connect very early stage entrepreneurs with the resources and education they need to turn their prototypes into viable products and bring them to market. Applications are due December 8th.

Vermont Business MAgazinea Two Massachusetts organizations were honored nationally by the US Environmental Protection Agency for their work keeping wasted food out of landfills and incinerators and putting it to better use. Another 24 organizations across New England received certificates recognizing their work reducing food waste as part of EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge. Three Vermont groups were honored.

Signature Bread in Chelsea, Mass. won the national “Data Driven Award” for achieving the highest percent increases in food waste diversion for the food manufacturing sector in a comparison of yearly data.Spoiler Alert in Boston, Mass.won the “Narrative Award” in the education and outreach category.