Current News
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Vermont Business Magazine Gray Television, Inc (NYSE: GTN and GTN.A), which bought WCAX-TV in Burlington from the Martin family last spring for $29 million,hasannounced record-setting results of operations for the period endedJune 30, 2017, including record revenue, record net income and record Broadcast Cash Flow. Gray experienced accelerating market trends throughout the second quarter of 2017. As a result, its operating revenue and political advertising revenue significantly exceeded the high end of the guidance ranges that we had provided for this period.
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Vermont Business MagazineNow that 10 entrepreneurs have won their local pitches, they'll gear up for the statewide pitch-off in October. The fourth annual FreshTracks Road Pitch, a five-day motorcycle tour of Vermont in which a gang of more than 60 “business bikers” (comprised of investors, entrepreneurs and business advisers) ride around the state, stopping in 10 towns to listen to entrepreneurs pitch their business concepts, was held July 31st through August 4th 2017.
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Vermont Business Magazine The results from the recent Vermont small business economic outlook survey indicate that, not surprisingly, key issues for Vermont businesses include health insurance costs, taxes, and finding qualified employees. These issues were identified for all Vermont businesses surveyed, regardless of size and county.Nearly 150 Vermont businesses completed the latest semi-annual economic survey in July regarding the outlook of Vermont’s small- to medium-sized businesses. The survey, presented by Davis & Hodgdon Associates CPAs and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, revealed that business owners inside and outside of Chittenden county share a slightly increased level of optimism about the state’s economy. There is also a continued desire to see improvement in Vermont’s business climate and tax laws.
FULL RESULTS BELOW
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Vermont Business Magazine Northern Power Systems Corp(TSX:NPS) of Barre, a next generation renewable energy and energy storage technology company known for its wind energy systems, has announced financial results for its second quarter endedJune 30, 2017. Revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2017, were $17.8 million, compared to $8.7 million in the second quarter of 2016, and $6.2 million in the first quarter of 2017.GAAP net income for the second quarter of 2017 was $0.9 million, compared toa net loss of $2.5 million in the prior year second quarter, and a loss of $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2017.
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Vermont Business Magazine As the Vermont State Treasurer’s Office prepares to sell approximately $100 million in general obligation bonds, Treasurer Beth Pearce and Governor Phil Scott were notified that Vermont has maintained the highest bond ratings in the Northeast, and among the highest in the US. The reaffirmed ratings came after Governor Scott and Treasurer Pearce led members of the Administration and Treasurer’s Office to meet with each of the rating agencies in New York to review Vermont’s economy, finances and fiscal outlook. As part of a rating review for an upcoming bond sale, all three agencies maintained their previous high rating with a stable outlook.
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Vermont Business Magazine Walmart and the Walmart Foundation today announced that the most recent cycle of grants included $145,000 for nonprofits in Vermont. In the last year, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $465,000 in cash and in-kind donations to support organizations and programs in Vermont.
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byMike SmithThe Vermont Department of Public Safety has earned two reputations of late — one good and the other bad. First, the good reputation: The department recruits and employs dedicated public servants who are willing to put themselves in harm’s way to protect us. Every Vermonter should be grateful for their service.
On the other hand, there’s the not-so-good reputation. Those in leadership positions at the department have gained a reputation in recent years of being less than transparent, even evasive, when it comes to releasing information to the public.
Unfortunately, if the bad reputation is allowed to continue, the actions of those few will ultimately tarnish the shining reputation of many.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine USSenatorBernie Sanders (I-Vermont)on Mondaywill make stops in Franklin County. He will tour Northern Tier Center for Health (NOTCH), a federally qualified health center in Richford, and meet with staff. In StAlbans, Sanders will hold a senior town meeting to discuss the serious issues facing people in Vermont and throughout the United States. In the afternoon, Sanders will meet with dairy farmers in East Fairfield.
Monday, Aug. 14
What:Tour NOTCH, a federally qualified health center
When:10 a.m.
Where:44 Main St.; Richford
What:Senior town meeting
When:12 p.m.
Where:Franklin County Senior Center; 75 Messenger St.; St. Albans
What:Meet with dairy farmers, Paul and Linda Stanley
When:2 p.m.
Where:864 Lawyer Road; East Fairfield
Source:BURLINGTON, Vt., Aug. 14 – Sanders
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Vermont Business MagazineThe following statement is from UVM President Tom Sullivan, which was distributed to the university community Sunday evening regarding the tragic events in Charlottesville, VA, Saturday.
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Vermont Business MagazineVermont State Treasurer Beth Pearce today announced that the State of Vermont has reached an agreement with People’s United Bank, NAto provide core banking services. The contract is expected to generate savings that will accrue year over year.
“At the Treasurer’s Office, we do frequent request for proposals to obtain the best value for Vermont taxpayers,” said Treasurer Beth Pearce. “The Treasurer’s Office maintains a complex cash management system to process short-term investments, revenue streams and expenditures. After an exhaustive review, we determined that People’s United Bank provided the best value and lowest cost service to the State and Vermont’s taxpayers.”
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Vermont Business Magazine In the fall of 2016, Nancy Cathcart was preparing for long-needed bilateral knee replacement surgery when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The Board and staff accommodated her leave of absence and part-time status through treatments. As she approached another extended leave of absence for knee replacement surgery, she made the decision to resign her position to focus on her healing and recovery.
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Vermont Business Magazine The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) announced this week its premium rates for Blue Cross and MVP, as well as releasing its list of prescription drugs that have risen the most over the last year. The GMCB cut the rate requests for both insurers, but Blue Cross was granted a 9.2 percent increase and MVP a 3.5 percent increase.
The GMCB announced on Thursday its decision on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont’s (BCBSVT) requested rate increase for insurance plans offered on Vermont Health Connect (VHC), Vermont’s online health benefit exchange. The rates were filed by insurers on May 12 and were subject to a 90-day technical analysis and review by the GMCB. The review process included two days of rate hearings open to the public, input from the Office of the Health Care Advocate, a public comment forum, and the Board received public comment from over 500 Vermonters.