Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has named Union Bank its Vermont Guaranteed Lender of the Year for the fourth year running. This recognition from USDA Rural Development reflects Union Bank’s dedication to helping families achieve the dream of homeownership and their commitment to customer service.

by Jeff Forward Only three US states were countries before joining the Union. Ask any American to name these three states, and most will probably name Texas, “the Lone Star State.” Many might also be able to then tell you that Hawaii, which only became a state in 1959, was a country before it was folded into these United States. And if you are a Vermonter reading this, you, of course know that the Green Mountain State, Vermont, governed itself independently for 14 years before officially joining the 13 original colonies.

Vermont Business Magazine Choosing where to attend college is a life-changing decision, one that the majority of students (and their parents) research diligently. For many, their choice turns out to be the right one. But some students, once enrolled, find that the culture, cost, or curriculum at their current school isn't suited to their needs. What can they do, the second time around, to find the college that is the perfect fit?

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington’s McKenzie Natural Artisan Deli is introducing a month-long promotion that offers locals the chance to give back: for every sandwich sold during the month of July, McKenzie will donate one dollar to non-profits Ta-Kum-Ta and Vermont Foodbank, with a collective donation of up to $10,000. The program kicks off on Friday, July 7th at Jericho Market, where hungry consumers can select “The Sugarhouse Special,” “Route 15 Turkey Bacon Ranch,” or “The Raceway,” to trigger a donation to these two impactful organizations.

Public Assets Institute We’re number one. That’s what a recent survey of the best states for working mothers concluded. That’s good news. Vermont ranks high on the three areas the survey rated: child care, work-life balance, and professional opportunities. But being the best in the country says as much about the rest of the country as it does about Vermont, which has some real challenges that disproportionately affect women.

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Town Center (BTC) and a group of Burlington residents who have been opposing the BTC redevelopment project jointly announced today that a settlement has been reached that will enable the redevelopment project to proceed while addressing many of the concerns that had been raised. Don Sinex, on behalf of the owner and developer BTC Mall Associates LLC and Devonwood Investors LLC, and residents Barbara McGrew, Michael Long, Lynn Martin, and Steve Goodkind (individually and on behalf of a group of other residents), all represented by Attorney John Franco, have entered into a Settlement Agreement that resolves all outstanding claims against the BTC redevelopment project. The Settlement Agreement is subject to, among other things, approval of a stipulated Final Judgment by the Environmental Court.

Key terms of the agreement include:

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program, a program of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, awarded a total of $407,834 in Dairy Improvement Grants to 11 dairy farmers, in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Essex, Grand Isle, and Orleans counties, for on-farm infrastructure projects. These funds are matched by over $1.2 million of additional investments in order to complete their projects.

Eric Paris, owner of Tamarlane Farm in Lyndonville, was awarded $20,000 to build a covered feeding area on a cement pad for his cows during the non-grazing season to keep them healthier and reduce loss of feed to adverse conditions. “Our project is badly needed on our farm,” says Paris. “The new infrastructure will benefit our land, our cows, our economic well-being and our family in a multitude of ways.”

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy spoke with Secretary of State Condos on Wednesday to convey his support for the secretary's action not to give a federal commission Vermont voter information. In response to a letter sent by Election Integrity Commission Co-Chair Kris Kobach requesting sensitive voter data, Condos cited personal security concerns in withholding the data, as Kobach requested Social Security numbers, dates of birth and driver’s license numbers, which Condos said are all "off limits." Condos also called the commission a "witch hunt" and is seeking further opinion from the Vermont attorney general's office.

Leahy’s statement follows:

“President Trump's commission is a sham based on false pretenses. It could not be clearer that the true goal is further voter suppression.

Vermont Business Magazine received an unprecedented three national awards for Editorial Excellence in 2016 from the Alliance of Area Business Publications at its annual Summer Conference in Dallas June 24. These are the highest awards available to VBM and regional business news publications in the US. Reporter Joyce Marcel won Gold in the “Best personality profile” category for her piece on Rutland Mayor Chris Louras. Louras championed bringing refugees to Rutland. He subsequently lost his re-election bid.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont maintained its "C" grade for manufacturing, says a report from Ball State University. While Vermont retained its overall grade in manufacturing, in the subcategories it earned grades in human capital of "B," benefits costs "F," tax climate "D,” diversification "C," and expected fiscal liability gap "C." The state grades improved in logistics ("F" to "D-") and productivity and innovation ("C-" to "C"). The state decreased its grade in global position ("C+" to "C").

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan announced today that the Attorney General’s Office will host a public forum on the cost of health care in Vermont on July 11th in Burlington. The forum will provide information on how the cost of health care is determined in Vermont and the process for the public to give comments to the Green Mountain Care Board. The Attorney General will be joined at the forum by Judy Henkin, General Counsel of the Green Mountain Care Board, and Amy Cooper, Executive Director of Health First.

“The cost of health care is a consumer protection issue. Consumers have questions. We are trying to give Vermont consumers access to information and the opportunity to ask questions on this topic,” said Donovan.

The forum is scheduled for July 11th at 5:30 pm in the Contois Auditorium at Burlington City Hall. For questions about the forum please contact Natalie Silver at the Attorney General’s Office at 802 595 8679.

Vermont Business MagazineThe Northeast did relatively poorly in a new report on the best states in which to start a business. Vermont, however, finished 20th "best" overall, which was second best in the Northeast (Massachusetts 18). In this study by WalletHub, Vermont did poorly on growth in number of small businesses (47) and length of work week (45) and best in amount of spending on incentives (3).