Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Forecasters are calling for possible severe thunderstorms, wind, heavy rain and flooding over the next few days. Scattered to isolated severe thunderstorms could begin as early as2:30 p.m.today, Friday, June 30 and continue sporadically throughSundaymorning,July 2.“Recent rainfall has saturated the ground, so there is risk of run-off, flooding and up-rooting of trees, which can cause outages,” said Green Mountain Power spokesperson Dorothy Schnure. “Our dedicated crews will work as quickly and safely as possible to restore any damage. We also have outside crews on alert in case they’re needed to help with power restoration from this storm that could cause outages across the state.”

Vermont Business Magazine At a special meeting on June 22, the Barre-based Granite Hills Credit Union membersapproved their Board of Directors’ recommendation to merge with South Burlington-based NorthCountry Federal Credit Union. The two credit unions have workedside-by-side in Washington County for many years, and share a commitment toproviding members with a world-class experience through value, convenience,and investments in the community. Integration of Granite Hills’s systemsinto NorthCountry’s will occur onSeptember30, 2017. At that time, bothGranite Hills locations will join NorthCountry’s branch network.

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Electric Department today announced that it has partnered with Freedom Nissan in South Burlington to offer a $10,000 rebate to Burlington Electric customers who purchase a 2017 Nissan Leaf electric vehicle (EV), which has a battery range of up to 107 miles, between July 1 and September 30, 2017. Additionally, Burlington Electric reminded its customers of its ongoing rebate incentive program through which they are able to receive a $1,200 rebate on the purchase or lease of a new EV or a $600 rebate for the purchase or lease of a new plug-in hybrid EV with an electric range of 20 or more miles. A Burlington Electric customer who purchases a 2017 Nissan Leaf would receive a $10,000 rebate from Freedom Nissan at the time of purchase, a $1,200 rebate from Burlington Electric upon submitting a rebate form and proof of purchase, and a potential federal tax credit of $7,500.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont may be hitting the peak of summer, but Killington Resort has its eyes on winter with the official confirmation that the Killington Audi FIS Ski World Cup will once again be hosted at the mountain this Thanksgiving. Last year, the event returned to the Northeast for the first time since 1991, bringing with it US ski team superstar athletes to Vermont. The competition drew an estimated 30,000 spectators.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos issued the following response today to a letter from President Trump’s Election Integrity Commission requesting voter information:“My office has received a request from President Trump’s Election Integrity Commission to provide voter information – including dates of birth, social security numbers, and other personally identifying information. While it gives me pause to enable the work of this Commission in any way, I am bound by law to provide our publicly available voter file, but will provide no more information than is available to any individual requesting the file.

Vermont Business MagazineThe State of Vermont has launched a “Welcome” communications campaign in Canada to reassure Canadians that Vermont greatly values their friendship, tourism and trade. The campaign launch coincides with Canada Day on Saturday, July 1, and includes15-secondand30-secondvideo spots in French that are running throughout Quebec.

Vermont Business Magazine The Poultney Development Review Board has denied an application by Poultney Properties, LLC, to develop a Dollar General store on a property on Beaman Street in Poultney village. The June 28 decision came in the wake of three well-attended public hearings at which proponents of the plan responded to questions and misgivings from a range of local residents opposing the proposal.

Vermont Business MagazineVermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) is pleased to announce, in partnership with Nissan, that a $10,000 rebate is available to VEC members on the purchase of a new 2017 Nissan LEAF. The 2017 Nissan LEAF is as all-electric vehicle with a range of up to 107 miles. This rebate is available in addition to the previously announced $250 bill credit for VEC members who purchase an electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The 2017 LEAF is also eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit, making this is a very attractive opportunity for VEC members.Nissan warrantees the car for the first eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power and Freedom Nissan South Burlington are pleased to announce that a record-setting number of Vermonters chose to go electric in June by taking advantage of GMP’s “Leaf Power Program,” which provides $10,000 off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of a 2017 Nissan Leaf. Green Mountain Power (GMP) customers who bring their energy statements and a program code to Freedom Nissan in South Burlington can still participate in the program, which has been extended throughSeptember 30or until Leaf inventory lasts. The 2017 Nissan Leaf starts at approximately $30,000.

Vermont Business Magazine BioTek Instruments’ Gen5 Microplate Reader and Imager Software was awarded a SelectScience Silver “Seal of Quality” on June 28, 2017. The seal was awarded for Gen5 having consistently received the highest review ratings by the more than 80 users who have reviewed the software to date.Gen5 Microplate Reader and Imager Software integrates with all of BioTek’s imaging and detection systems. From data and image capture through analysis to export of publication-ready data, Gen5 provides an easy, seamless workflow for myriad applications.

by CB Hall, Vermont Business MagazineConsolidated CommunicationsHoldings, Inc(NASDAQ:CNSL) announced Wednesday it has completed pre-close regulatory approval and notification processes in all 17 of FairPoint's operating states and is on track to complete the Consolidated Communications—FairPoint Communications merger.The all-stock merger transaction was valued at approximately $1.5 billion, including debt ($887 million) when it was announced December 5, 2016.Consolidated expects to close on the transaction on July 3.FairPoint is Vermont's largest telecom. Illinois, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont recently joined Colorado, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia by each granting approval of the pending merger with FairPoint.In addition, all pre-close notification processes have been completed in the six states of Alabama, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, Oklahoma and Washington.

Vermont Business Magazine Today Mayor Miro Weinberger, CEDO Director Noelle MacKay, and representatives of the federal delegation announced the Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO) Burlington Lead Program will be awarded $2.9 million in program funding, one of only 28 Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control grant recipients in the nation. As part of the award, CEDO will also receive $400,000 in Healthy Homes grant funds that will leverage the Lead Program’s presence to reduce other housing-related health hazards. Participants in the press announcement gathered at the property of owner Eric Lafayette, whose multi-family rental unit on 184 North Street benefited from the Lead Program in 2015. Using lead-based paint funds, the CEDO Lead Program replaced old, drafty windows with new energy-efficient windows, repaired interior and exterior walls and siding, and repainted the exterior.