Current News

Public Assets Institute Vermont made headlines last week when the US Census released its latest statistics for 2016: We were the only state to show an increase in the poverty rate. That may have been an artifact of the Census survey sample. The poverty rate showed an unusual drop in 2015, and 2016 looks more like a return to normal than a real increase. The Census released another poverty report week week that didn’t get as much attention. The Supplemental Poverty Measure report tells a different story and the data contain more encouraging news: public services and assistance do lift people out of poverty.

Vermont Business MagazineA new University of Vermont research finding could lead to targeted treatments to increase immune activity -- in cancer therapy, for example -- or to suppress immune reactions, like in patients with multiple sclerosis. Researchers have long known that glucose — or sugar — fuels cellular activity, including cells involved in immune response. While previous research focused on sugar stores external to the cell, the surprising new discovery finds that dendritic cells — the messengers of the mammalian immune system — draw from sugar stores within the cell.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center is being recognized for creative initiatives to reduce operating room waste and lower the cost of medical devices by Vizient, Inc - the largest member-driven health care performance improvement company in the country.

Vermont Business Magazine The Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of BE Fit Physical Therapy’s second clinic inside the Upper Valley Aquatic Center, located at100 Arboretum Lanein White River Junction. Physical therapists Dave Barlow and Eric Ellingson opened BE Fit Physical Therapy in 2009 in their45 Lyme Road, Hanoverlocation. “We started with just Eric and I as the physical therapists and Kylie Curtis as our office manager, “ said owner Dave Barlow. “We are now at seven physical therapists and three staff members. Our growth has been slow but steady.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont has announced the appointment of Adam Atherly, PhD, as the College’s first director of health services research and professor of medicine, effective February 1, 2018. Atherly is currently a professor of health systems, management and policy at the Colorado School of Public Health.

Vermont Business Magazine According to the Vermont Department of Health, tick-borne illnesses are on the rise in Vermont. Tick bites and tick-borne illnesses spike in the fall. In an effort to address the many tick-related questions from patients, clinicians from Southwestern Vermont Medical Center’s (SVMC) and the Vermont Department of Health have partnered to offer a special presentation: What You Need to Know about Tick-Borne Illness: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions. The talk is scheduled for 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 10 at Historic Memorial Hall in Wilmington, VT.

Attendees will get expert answers to the most common tick-related questions, including:

· How do I prevent tick bites?

· What should I do if I find a tick on me or a member of my family?

· What are the tick-borne illnesses and how do I recognize them?

· What are the treatments available?

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Electric Department today issued a peak day alert for Tuesday as part of its Defeat the Peak program, encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage tomorrow from 6:00-8:00pm. Burlingtonians can lend a hand by taking the following steps on what is projected to be an unusually hot fall day.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) today announced Pratiko Inc., a manufacturing firm based in Richmond, Quebec, has opened its first location in the US at the Charles E Carter Business Resource Center in St Johnsbury. Located in the St Johnsbury-Lyndon Industrial Park, the Business Resource Center is a 16,000-square foot facility that combines manufacturing space with office space. The workforce is expected to be small initially. Pratiko joins businesses like River Garden Kitchens and Vermont Aerospace at the multi-tenant Business Resource Center, a flexible space where small businesses can develop and grow.

Vermont Business MagazineShip builder Austalwill host a keel laying ceremony for the futureUSNS Burlington(EPF 10), at its Mobile, AL. shipyard,Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the ship and Austal’s $1.9 billion 12-ship block buy contract with the US. Navy.Austal’s Bill Pfisterwill authenticate the keel by welding his initials onto an aluminum plate that will be placed in the keel – a beam around which the hull, or body, of a ship is built.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $14.7 million to the State of Vermont to help finance improvements to water infrastructure projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment. The funds will be primarily used to upgrade sewage plants and drinking water systems, as well as replacing aging infrastructure, throughout the state.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program, administrated by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Vermont Bond Bank, received $6.5 million of the funding. EPA’s funding provides low-interest loans for water quality protection projects to make improvements to wastewater treatment systems, control pollution from stormwater runoff, and protect sensitive water bodies.

Vermont Business MagazineGovernor Scott will be among the special guest speakers to officially unveil a new transportation shuttle, the Vermont Shires Connector.The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the Hampton Inn in Manchester starting at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, October 11, 2017.The Vermont Shires Connector is the new bus service linking southwestern Vermont to rail service in New York's Capital Region. Premier Coach operates the line with a partnership with the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) and Amtrak.

Vermont Business Magazine Secretary of State Jim Condos is pleased to announce the start of his fourth biennial Transparency Tour. The tour will stop at 12 locations across the state to discuss transparency and open government, Vermont’s Public Records Act, and Open Meeting Law with municipal and state employees and citizens who serve on local government boards. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

“With trust in government at an all-time low, I believe that sunshine is the best disinfectant” said Secretary Condos. “Vermonters deserve openness and transparency in government. By educating municipal and state employees, elected officials, and engaged citizens on the requirements of government under Vermont’s Open Meeting Laws and the Public Records Act I hope to help government officials of all stripes better serve Vermonters.”