Current News

Vermont Business MagazineCondé Nast Travelerreaders have rated the top hotels in New England for 2017 and six prestigious Vermont lodging properties were among the 40 that were recognized. Five Vermont properties, including Hotel Vermont of Burlington at No. 4, were named among the Top 20 hotels inCondé Nast Traveler’sTop Hotels in New England: Readers’ Choice Awards. This is the third year in a row that Hotel Vermont has been honored in the Top 5 of these rankings.

Hotel Vermont in Burlington. Courtesy of Hotel Vermont.

Rounding out Vermont’s presence in the rankings were The Pitcher Inn of Warren at No. 12, Twin Farms of Barnard at No. 15, Windham Hill Inn of West Townshend at No. 17, Kimpton Taconic Hotel of Manchester at No. 18, and Field Guide of Stowe at No. 23.

Vermont Business Magazine The Addison County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) Board of Directors has appointedFred Kenney as its new Executive Director. Kenney replaces Robin Scheu, who is retiring after nine years leading economic development in Addison County. In 2001,Kenneywas appointed as Executive Director of the Vermont Economic Progress Council (VEPC), providing statewide economic development strategic planning and administering the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive Program, the Tax Increment Financing Program, and the Windham County Economic Development program.

Vermont Business Magazine The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC), based in Brattleboro, has been awarded $65,638 from the USDepartment of Agriculture, Rural Utility Services Solid Waste Management Grant Program, to implement food waste, organics, and manure management in rural Maryland communities. The goal of the project is to assist rural communities to improve solid waste planning and management, leading to reductions in solid waste generation and water pollution. Stakeholders in the Maryland counties of Allegany and Cecil will be engaged to implement best management practices for food waste reduction, organics, and manure management. Through webinars and outreach, the project will benefit other regions of Maryland, as well as the Northeast and the country.

Vermont Business MagazineBerkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc(NYSE: BHLB), the parent company of Berkshire Bank with branches in southern Vermont, has reported third quarter 2017 net income of $22.9 million, or $0.57 per share and core earnings of $23.6 million, or $0.59 per share. Net income was up 40% year-over-year, while core earnings grew 35% due to the benefit of business expansion. Net income per share increased by 8%, while core EPS increased by 4%. Net income was impacted by net non-core charges related primarily to acquisitions. Core earnings related measures are non-GAAP measures that exclude these charges and other non-ordinary items

byMike SmithIt’s a helpless feeling, some say. Like spiraling down a deep, dark hole. You try to stop your fall, but you can’t. And the farther you fall down that hole, the darker it becomes until ultimately darkness surrounds you.

It’s difficult to describe what a person suffering from mental illness is going through. Each experience is probably unique. However, the end result is likely the same: You become a different person, a person you and others don’t recognize. And without help, chances are you’ll remain that different person, trapped in a world you can’t escape or explain.

Vermont officials and health care professionals agree we have an escalating mental health crisis in our state. But a consensus on what to do about it has proven elusive. The result: When we do act, we move forward in small incremental steps that may temporarily relieve some pressure points but don’t permanently address larger problems.

Public Assets InstituteWith an additional 600 newjobsin September, Vermont’s private employers have added 2,700 jobs so far this year. While the growth has been uneven, 2017 has seen the strongest first three quarters since 2011. Also in September, Vermont’s unemployment rate ticked down to 2.9 percent, the lowest level since December 2000.

Vermont Business Magazine On October 18, 2017, the Board ofCommunity Health Accountable Care, LLC (CHAC) decided to terminate its Medicare Accountable Care Organization Shared Savings Program agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, effective1/1/2018and to conclude ACO operations.

Vermont’s health centers will continue to work together with the state and their community partners to improve the health of the patients that they serve. This will include continued focus on the clinical goals of Vermont’s All-Payer Model.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America, has announced that the band Dispatch will headline a robust music and entertainment lineup to celebrate the return of the Audi FIS World Cup. Dispatch, who formed while attending Vermont’s Middlebury College, will return to their Green Mountain State roots for the free concert on Saturday, November 25 at Killington’s K-1 Base Area. Known as one of the biggest independent rock bands in history, Dispatch hit a major career milestone when they played an outdoor concert in Boston that drew over 110,000 people and were dubbed by Rolling Stone as the hosts of the largest independent music event ever. Dispatch is returning to the road with their first national tour in five years and their Audi FIS World Cup concert at Killington is their only scheduled appearance in the state of Vermont.

Bill SchubartIt’s no secret that many colleges and prep schools are in financial trouble. Accrediting organizations predict a significant number of institutional failures in the next decade. We even feel the pain here in Vermont but, understandably, no one wants to discuss it, as any faint whiff of distress further discourages applications.

The college value equation has been eroding for decades. Total private college costs average $45,000 annually, $20,000 at in-state colleges. Accounting for payments, discounts and scholarships, average college graduates carry $37,000 worth of debt. And in return, according to theProgramme for International Student Assessment(PISA) to which the U.S. subscribes, we rank thirtieth in math and nineteenth in science among the thirty-five sponsoring countries.

​Vermont Business MagazineThe University of Vermont's Board of Trustees today approved an additional $1 million from gift funds to move forward with the Design Development phase of planning for the Athletic Department's Multi-Purpose Facility project.

Vermont Business Magazine The Board of Directors for Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) is happy to announce that National Life has become VBSR’s newest Champion Member.“Do good, be goodandmake good. Those are values that National Life aspires to, and they resonate with VBSR and our members,” said VBSR executive director Jane Campbell. “As a mission-driven company, National Life strives to make the world a better place through their charitable foundation, paid volunteer time for employees, environmentally sustainable and healthy work sites, and fun, family friendly events that promote the work of nonprofits in their communities. We are thrilled to welcome National Life as a Champion Member of our organization.”

Vermont Business Magazine Co-operative Insurance Companies is giving back to those affected by recent hurricane devastation with a donation of $10,000 to American Red Cross.Co-operative Insurance is a huge supporter of American Red Cross. Along with this donation, the company hosted their second blood drive of 2017 on October 16th.

Co-op takes pride in their efforts to provide financial security and protection to their own members and Marie Jewett, CEO of Co-operative Insurance Companies, is glad that her company can contribute to support the immense number of individuals affected by the hurricanes. “While most of our members were not directly affected by recent hurricane events, we recognize the devastation and rebuilding effort that is needed and the small part we can play through our donation to the American Red Cross.”