Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Precision Tools (VPT), headquartered in Swanton, a manufacturer of high quality precision medical bur blanks for the OEM medical industry, and Vermont HITEC, Inc, a non-profit organization dedicated to high-quality workforce development, today announced a fifth education and apprenticeship program that will bring Machine Operator jobs to Vermont over the next several months. A Machine Operator is responsible for the operation of various cylindrical grinding machines as well as the operation of computer numeric controlled (CNC) equipment.

Vermont Business Magazine The National Governors Association (NGA), the bipartisan organization for the nation’s governors, has announced its 2017-2018 committee leadership teams, and Governor Phil Scott has been named to the Economic Development and Commerce Committee (EDC). Through NGA, governors share best practices, identify priority issues of the states and areas for bipartisan collaboration to influence federal policy. Scott’s work with the EDC will cover key economic issues, including transportation, infrastructure, telecommunications, international trade promotion, financial services regulation, science and technology development, and affordable housing.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement Tuesday after President Donald Trump held a press conference where he blamed "both sides" for violence at a white supremacist demonstration in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Vermont Business MagazinePublisher Brigantine Media, based in StJohnsbury has just released a complete program for teaching math using a popular household toy – LEGO bricks. Teachers and school districts across the country are now adopting Brick Math, this innovative, hands-on program. The program's website iswww.BrickMath.com.Janis Raye of Brigantine Media is the editor of the K – 5 Brick Math program, a series of six teaching guides and six student editions for learning math.

Raye says, "We're thrilled that we now have a complete hands-on math program for kindergarten to fifth grade. It's been two years in development, and now that teachers and administrators are incorporating it into school curriculum, they are delighted with the results."

Vermont Business Magazine Robin Turnau, president and Chief Executive Officer of Vermont Public Radio, today announced plans to step down in March 2018. Turnau began her career at VPR in 1989 as membership and volunteer coordinator. She went on to serve as capital campaign coordinator, development manager, director of development, and vice president for development before being named president and CEO in 2009.

by C.B. Hall Vermont Business MagazineTen of Williston-based AllEarth Rail's newly purchased, self-propelled passenger rail cars arrived in Vermont last week and into Montpelier today, bringing AllEarth's intentions of initiating a private commuter-rail service in the Burlington area one step closer to reality. AllEarth president Charlie Moore told VBM that he's looking forward to showing the public what the cars can do in a demonstration run this fall.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Public Service Department has recommended that the Vermont Public Utilities Commission limit GMP’s proposed rate increase to just 1.68%. Earlier this year in April, Green Mountain Power filed for a rate increase of 5.33%. The Department’s recommendations include removing power purchase costs of approximately $6.5 million, lowering taxes, depreciation and return on capital investment by roughly $13.9 million and making other miscellaneous adjustments totaling $1.3 million. The DPS acts on behalf of the public in rates cases. The PUC is the regulator and reviews the filing and input from stakeholders and the public before it makes a final determination on rates.

Vermont Business Magazine This past week, cell service officially arrived in downtown South Strafford. Thanks to new microcell technology being piloted in Vermont by CoverageCo, people on either side of Coburn’s General Store can now use cell phones to talk, text, and access 911 services. CoverageCo founder Vanu Bose said, “When we set out to prove that innovative partnerships and new technology could solve the challenge of rural cell coverage, we knew we needed a state willing to try something different. Vermont has proven to be a great state for our microcell pilot project, and I’m happy that from South Strafford to Canaan, we’re seeing real success.”

CoverageCo installs and maintains microcell devices, called “radios,” on poles or buildings that use very little energy and provide cell service in a half mile radius. The radios work with Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint customers, though AT&T has decided not to participate.

Vermont Business MagazineThis year, 270 more low-income homes in Burlington and South Burlington signed up for Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest high-speed internet adoption program. With the program on the rise in VT, as well as all over the country, Comcast increased the program’s Internet speeds and added free access to 18 million Xfinity WiFi hotspots, helping low-income families stay connected in and out of their homes for possibly the first time.

by John McClaughry Democrats and Republicans in Congress are in full combat over the future of ObamaCare. Three of the key issues they’re debating are Medicaid expansion, the individual mandate, and the Cost Sharing Reduction. Medicaid is a joint Federal-state program to provide essentially free health care to the poor. The Feds cover from 50 to 74% of the overall costs, the various States 26 to 50%. The ObamaCare Act forced all states to set increased income levels for Medicaid eligibility, at the pain of losing all Federal Medicaid funds. The Supreme Court held 7-2 that it was unconstitutional for the Federal government to force states to pay for their share of the increased Medicaid population by discontinuing all Federal support.

Vermont Business Magazine The national robocalling nightmare rose to 2.59 billion calls received in July, a 2.7% increase over June and a 7.5% increase over the same month last year, bringing the total to 17.2 billion robocalls received nationwide in the first seven months of 2017. Vermont had the fastest one-month growth of any state at 18 percent. Notably,Texaswas blitzed by a record-breaking 307.9 million calls in July, or 11 robocalls per person, marking the most robocalls received by any state in a single month since recordkeeping began inJune 2015. In addition, 40 of the 50 Most Robocalled Cities in America posted month-on-month increases in robocalling volumes in July.

Vermont Business MagazineThe Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the winners of the Best Taste Awards, Best Display Award and People’s Choice Award at the 36th Annual Chamber Winter In August Celebration held on August 8, 2017. The event, which moved back outside to Merchants Row in Downtown Rutland, was sponsored by Davis & Hodgdon Associates, CPA's, PLC; with support from Killington 14 TV; Casella Waste Systems, Foley Linen and Celebration Rentals. The award judging panel was made up of local foodies Gordon Dritschilo, Kathryn McGrath and Matt Anderson. The 9 criteria included everything from complimenting flavors to appeal to the eye. Restaurants were rated on a weighted point system and scored accordingly. Attendees voted by ballot throughout the evening for the People’s Choice Award.