Current News

Vermont Business Magazine A Vermont-based consulting team led by Optimal Energy, Inc of Hinesburg, with partners Cx Associates and Energy Futures Group, has played a key role in helping Massachusetts to be the top ranked state in the nation by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). ACEEE's recently released 2017 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, which rates states based on energy efficiency policy and programs, has placed Massachusetts first for the seventh year in a row.

Vermont Business Magazine Home Care Assistance of Greater Burlington announcedtoday that it has received the 2017 Best of Home Care – Provider of Choice Award fromHome Care Pulse. The Provider of Choice Award is granted only to the top-ranking home care providers,based on clientsatisfaction scores gathered by Home Care Pulse, an independent satisfaction research firm for home care.Home Care Assistance of Greater Burlingtonis now ranked among a select few home care providers across the country who have proven their ability to provide outstanding care.

Vermont Business Magazine Marie Houghton of Colchester has been appointed State President of AARP Vermont, a volunteer position working closely with both staff and volunteers throughout the state to help AARP achieve its mission in Vermont. Her responsibilities include serving as primary volunteer spokesperson, chairing the AARP Vermont Executive Council, building networks and community partnerships and recruiting volunteers.

by Randolph T Holhut/The Commons On a sunny Friday afternoon in Randolph Center, the mortal remains of Sergeant Charlotte Ann Marcy of Guilford were laid to rest at Vermont Veterans Cemetery. “It didn’t bring closure, but it brought peace,” her mother, Therese Marcy, said of the October 27 graveside service. “She is in a well-deserved resting place with her fellow soldiers.” Marcy, a member of the Vermont Army National Guard who served two combat tours in Iraq, died by suicide on September 30, 2016. She was 32.

Vermont Business Magazine The Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties (VNA) Board of Directors voted unanimously on Thursday, November 9, to affiliate with the University of Vermont Health Network, of which the UVM Medical Center is the largest member. The partnership takes effect onJanuary 1, 2018. The VNA said in a statement that the affiliationrecognizes the importance of greater integration and collaboration among health care providers across the full continuum of care, and will benefit patients by responding to the increasing demand for home health and hospice services. VNA will be the first affiliate to provide post-acute, community-based care. UVMHC will have eight partners going forward, including three Vermont hospitals and three in upstate New York.

Vermont Business MagazineWeekly unemployment claims rose again last week and faster. Claims had been falling steadily since early July until early October. Claims are still lower than they were the same time last year, which has been the case for most weeks in 2017. This trend should reverse itself when holiday hiring begins shortly. For the week of November 4, 2017, there were 677 claims, 195 more than than they were last week and 56 fewer than they were a year ago.Altogether 3,230 new and continuing claims were filed, an increase of 346 from a week ago, but 560 fewer than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine Buying local just got easier. Local First Vermont recently released the 8^th edition of the Buy Local Coupon Book and Mobile App. With coupons at more than 250 locally-owned, independent Vermont businesses, the resource makes it easier to learn about and support those businesses that routinely reinvest 45 percent back into Vermont’s economy. Print versions of the book are available at more than 50 retailers throughout the state, and the mobile app is available to download through both Google Play and Apple’s The App Store.

Vermont Business Magazine A diverse group of organizations, businesses, and institutions today announced the formation of a new coalition to advocate for a more sustainable, accessible, and affordable transportation system in Vermont. Currently, 47 percent of Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation, and gasoline and diesel represent more than 35 percent of all energy consumed in Vermont. T4VT has proposed replacing inefficient diesel school or transit buses with electric buses proven in cold climates. Diesel transit buses get only 4.5 miles per gallon and emit diesel exhaust that is dangerous for children, drivers, and passersby.

Vermont Business Magazine Housing advocacy organizations from around New England, including the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition, are announcing their opposition to provisions of the tax cut proposal released by Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX) last week.“The House tax bill would have devastating impacts on the creation and preservation of affordable housing in Vermont,” saidSarah Carpenter, Executive Director of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency. “Almost 15,000 Vermonters in every region of the state live in safe, stable and affordable rental housing thanks to the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit, which will be significantly weakened through this bill. The bill would also reduce low cost home mortgage and development financing offered by VHFA and the subsidies that come with those programs. Its passage would be a major setback in our efforts to alleviate Vermont’s dire shortage of affordable housing.”

Vermont Business Magazine The US Senate Thursday night unanimously confirmed Christina Nolan to be Vermont’s next US Attorney, following the recommendation of US Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) and Vermont Governor Phil Scott (R). Nolan was nominated less than two months ago by President Trump, and she is one of only two US Attorney nominees to be confirmed in states with Democratic Senators and is also one of only two women to be confirmed as US attorneys in this Congress. Leahy is a leading member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which handled the nomination.

Vermont Business Magazine This Veteran's Day, November 11, Easterseals announced it has received$580,000in grants from CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation to support local services that ensure access to healthcare and smoking cessation resources for Veterans and military families.As part of the funding, Easterseals has received$70,000for national programming and six Easterseal affiliates who excel in programs that respond to the local needs of Veterans, their family members and caregivers will each receive a$10,000grant.

Beneficiaries include:

Vermont Business Magazine Changing Perspectives is pleased to announce it has received the 2017-2018 Organizational Capacity Grant from the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation. These funds will support programming, staffing, professional development opportunities and the organization’s ability to expand its reach.

Changing Perspectives facilitates proactive strategies to promote social justice by providing schools with disability awareness programming through a combination of curriculum materials and educator coaching. The Changing Perspectives programs aim to reduce bullying and social isolation in schools by teaching about differences and supporting an educator’s work to build inclusive communities within their classrooms.