Current News

Vermont Business MagazineVermonters are looking to move out of state more than any other place in the nation. But Vermont is also a relatively popular state to move into.LendingTree, the nation's leading online loan marketplace, has released the findings of its study on where residents in each state are looking to move, which discovered a southern tilt in preferences of out-of-state home buyers.

Vermont Business Magazine Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) in Berlin is offering in-person assistance to community members enrolling in Vermont Health Connect, the state’s health insurance marketplace. The enrollment period, Nov1 to Dec15, is shorter than in years past, highlighting the importance of planning ahead and acting quickly. Enrolling members will have a coverage start date of Jan1, 2018.

Residents can start the enrollment process by completing the 2018 Plan Comparison Tool at www.vt.checkbookhealth.org. The tool reviews which medical plan is best for individuals and families, estimates costs and identifies financial assistance available.

by Alexandra Clauss,Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC You’ve likely heard the appalling reports of sexual harassment against the now-disgraced Hollywood mogul, Harvey Weinstein. Sadly, the film industry is not alone; high-profile executives in the news, hospitality, and tech industries have also been faced with similar accounts of workplace harassment.

So, what should you do if an employee complains of sexual harassment?

First, what is sexual harassment? Sexual harassment is unlawful discrimination based on sex. It is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when one of the following is also true:

Vermont Business Magazine The Green Mountain Care Board is charged with reducing the rate of health care cost growth in Vermont while ensuring that the State of Vermont maintains a high quality, accessible health care system. The Legislature assigned the GMCB three main responsibilities: regulation, innovation, and evaluation. The GMCB regulates not only health insurance rates, but also hospital budgets, Accountable Care Organizations, and major capital expenditures. The Board also innovates, testing new ways to pay for and deliver health care as part of its role in building a new system.

Thursday, November 2^nd: GMCB Meeting (12:00)

Vermont Business Magazine SVHC has installed its third StoryWalk^, an innovative way for children to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time at Molly Stark Elementary. The StoryWalk concept was originally created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, with the help of Rachel Senechal of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in 2007. SVHC’s StoryWalk began this past summer when AmeriCorps 2016 – 2017 VISTA Volunteer Rachel Newton initiated a project to install the area’s first StoryWalk at Willow Park in Bennington with support from Stewart’s Shops. This fall, the program continued at Bennington and Pownal Elementary Schools under direction from Americorps 2017 – 2018 VISTA Volunteer Adriana Hazelton.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Electric Cooperative crews have been restoring power to many of its members during the day, but there is plenty of hard work ahead some of which may take several days to complete. At the height of the outage early this morning, approximately 40 percent of VEC’s 38,000 members did not have power. VEC has restored power to 3,130 members, leaving about 12,000 members still without power as of5pm Monday.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont's congressional delegation has issued the following statements in response to the charges filed against three former Trump campaign officials, including campaign chairman and chief strategist Paul Manafort, in the ongoing investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election.

Vermont Business MagazineOn November 7, more than 150 business and nonprofit leaders will ascend on Killington Grand Hotel for “Creating Irresistible Companies.” The half-day conference, put on by Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibly (VBSR), will run from 12:30 to 5:00 PM and is designed to help leaders recruit and retain employees by focusing on company culture, vision, and purpose.

Vermont Business MagazineVermont Attorney General TJDonovan announced that he joined a coalition including 12 other state attorneys general and state agencies to oppose a proposed USDepartment of Energy (DOE) rule to subsidize coal and nuclear power plants. The coalition argues that DOE’s proposed rule would undermine state energy laws and policies, burden customers with additional costs and risks, and threaten the progress states like Vermont have made in reducing emissions.

Vermont Business Magazine Darn Tough Vermont, the fastest growing American manufacturer of premium performance outdoor and lifestyle socks, continues to outpace forecasts with profound growth across all categories. The brand claims a 32 percent increase for the third quarter, year-over-year, spurred by the addition of nearly 100 new retail partners, increased brand awareness nationwide and product development within key categories. In anticipation of strong winter and holiday season, preseason bookings have the brand poised for a vigorous year-end.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Emergency Operations Center has been activated to assist towns, utilities, and others in storm recovery. Representatives from state agencies, the Vermont National Guard, Red Cross, Green Mountain Power, and others are staffing the EOC and will continue into the night. More than 70,000 customers are or have been without electrical service from last night into this morning. Utilities note that some customers could be out for several days.

“The state is working to provide resources to towns and our utility partners,” Governor Phil Scott said. “About a third of Vermont customers are without power right now and several roads are blocked by trees and debris. I encourage everyone to be safe and listen to state and local responders as we work to address damage and restore services throughout the state.”

Vermont Business Magazine Touchstone Investments announced the completion of its acquisition of Sentinel mutual funds, formerly managed by a subsidiary of National Life Holding Company in Montpelier. The addition of these funds brings Touchstone's total fund lineup to 39 and assets under management to$19.5 billion. The planned acquisition was announced in April.