Current News

Castleton University is partnering with the Vermont Early Childhood Consortium to offer the Early Childhood Summer Institute onJuly 24-27, 2017. The institute consists of 10 simultaneous classes offered by 10 different Vermont Institutions. The courses are designed to promote Vermont’s core values for early education and to meet the needs of teachers of all levels. A strong emphasis is placed on courses that assist teachers in obtaining or retaining licenses and endorsements.

Vermont Business MagazineA new collaboration between the University of Vermont’s Business of Craft Beer Program and the industry-recognized Cicerone® Certification Program will allow students in UVM’s Craft Beer program to further distinguish themselves as craft beer experts with specialized knowledge in selecting, acquiring, and serving a variety of beer styles. Components of Cicerone’s instructional materials will be incorporated into UVM’s fully online Business of Craft Beer Program, and students will be eligible to take the first level Cicerone Certification exam at no extra charge.

The Vermont Department of Labor announced today that the seasonally-adjusted statewide unemployment rate for June was 3.2 percent. This reflects no change from the revised May rate (3.2 percent). Thenational rate in June was 4.4 percent.As of the prior month’s preliminary data, the Burlington-South Burlington Metropolitan NECTA was tied for the ninth lowest unemployment rate in the country for all metropolitan areas at 2.3 percent (not-seasonally-adjusted). Overall, Vermont’s unemployment rate was tied for the seventh lowest in the country for the same time period.

Vermont Business Magazine The Committee for the Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the inductees for 2017.

Recipients are chosen based on their accomplishments and significant contributions to Vermont agriculture.

They are:
• Rupert and Muriel Chamberlin, former dairy farmers and well-known Jersey breeders
• Ray and Pam Allen, applegrowers and agritourism leaders
• Claude Bourbeau, former dairy farmer and leader in dairy issues

These nominees will be honoredon Wednesday,August, 30, 2017, during the invitation only luncheon at the Champlain Valley Exposition. Also during that time, the black and white photographs of the 2016 inductees will be unveiled. These photos will feature Gordon Booth, Anne C. Brown, Walter and Sally Goodrich and Ralph McNall

Vermont Business Magazine On behalf of its Members, Brett Smith, President, and CEO of One Credit Union presented a check for $4,200 to James Hathaway, President, and CEO of Make-A- Wish Vermont. As One CU’sfirst ever fundraising campaign for Make-A- Wish, everyone was delighted with the results. Make-A- Wish grants wishes to kids with critical medical conditions. Each wish come true has the power to make kids feel stronger, more courageous and more determined to overcome their illnesses. All the money raised stays right in the communities One CU serves in Vermont and New Hampshire. “We believe one moment can change everything in the life of a child. We are so grateful One Credit Union believes that as well,” stated a grateful Hathaway.

Vermont Business Magazine Maple Capital Management is proud to announce and congratulate the election of Elizabeth Lewis, CFA as Shareholder.Liz has served as a committed Portfolio Manager at Maple Capital for the last five years and is thrilled to keep driving the company towards further growth. In addition to building custom portfolios for a wide variety of individual and institutional clients, Liz also hasyears of experience in business development, financial planning and is a part of Maple Capital’s Captive Insurance team.

Maple Capital also welcomes new hires, Timothy Wooster, Portfolio Manager as well as Cory Latour and Kara Simanskas to the Client Service Team.

by Randolph T Holhut and Jeff Potter/The Commons This was supposed to be a summer of triumph for the New England Center for Circus Arts. In the space of a week, the 10-year-old nonprofit spun into chaos after its founders, Elsie Smith and Serenity Smith Forchion, announced that they had been relieved of their duties as the school’s artistic directors. A public revolt by coaches and staff ensued.

Vermont Business Magazine Darn Tough Vermont, the fastest growing American manufacturer of premium performance outdoor and lifestyle socks, announces a 24 percent growth in the recent second quarter, year-over-year. Accounting for the impressive overall growth, Darn Tough’s individual categories – Hike, Lifestyle, Run, Work, Hunt and Kids – have all seen major increases. Opening new doors, expanding distribution and increasing product assortment within existing retailers have all contributed to the brand’s success, as has the team’s continued investments in new products and market opportunities.

Vermont Business MagazineVermont State Treasurer Beth Pearcetoday announced the successful negotiation of a contract to provide health insurance plans to retired members of the Vermont State Teachers’ Retirement System (VSTRS). This will save the State of Vermont over $550,000 in FY 2018 and provide total savings to retired teachers, over age 65, of $110,000 for grand total savings of $660,000.

“As State Treasurer, I always look for solutions that are a win-win for the taxpayer and for the retirees we serve,” said Treasurer Pearce. “The new plan will provide a 2% premium decrease for Medicare-eligible members and maintain fiscal year 2017 rates for non-Medicare-eligible members, achieving significant savings for the State of Vermont and for the Teachers’ Retirement System. This agreement maintains price stability at a time when health care costs have soared nationally.”

Vermont Business MagazineThursday, Governor Phil Scott issued Executive Order 12-17, forming the Vermont Climate Action Commission. Among the Commission’s many responsibilities will be the task of unifying Vermont’s ambitious climate and economic goals.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Thursday notched key victories for Vermont as the Agriculture and Energy and Water appropriations bills cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee. Leahy’s wins include securing $499 million over 10 years to strengthen the safety network for dairy farmers, including the dairy Margin Protection Program. Other Vermont-related features of the Agriculture Appropriations Bill approved Thursday by the committee include a $3 million increase for the National Organic Program, bringing total funding for the program to $12.1 million.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Tree Farm Program will hold two events this August. OnSaturday, August 12from8:30 am-2:30 pmthere will be a tour of the Stoner Family Tree Farm with David and Jenny Stoner, the 2017 Vermont Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. The Stoner Family Tree Farm is a 361 acre Certified Tree Farm (VT Tree Farm #1591) in Greensboro. The event begins at8:30 am, with a welcome at9 am. The tours depart at9:30 am. At11:30 amthere will be a networking around the tent, and at12:30 pmlunch will be served around the pond. Following lunch at1:30 pmthere will be an awards ceremony and presentations.