Current News

by Julie Moore, Secretary, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources President Trump’s call to abandon the Paris Climate Agreement, slash federal funding for clean air and water, and reduce protections for threatened and endangered species have made national headlines, and created grim reading for those who care about protecting the health of our people and our environment.

But, as is often the case, we are charting a different course in the Green Mountain State. Instead of political gamesmanship, Vermonters of different parties and across branches of government are expanding our commitment to clean water.

Vermont Business Magazine MSI is hosting a Certified Production Technician (CPT) course offered through Community College of Vermont (CCV - http://ccv.edu/explore-ccv-programs/credentials-training/certified-production-technician/) for 15 interested employees at their Morrisville headquarters. The Manufacturing Skill Standards Council created the Certified Production Technician Credentialing as a new set of tools to ensure that both entering and incumbent workers are flexible, easily trainable, and highly motivated knowledge workers able to keep pace with technological change—the “Industrial Athlete of the Future.” CPT is the only certification in manufacturing which has been accredited by the American National Standards Institute under ISO standard 17024.

Vermont Business Magazine In response to forty-seven separate price scanner violations, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markers has issued more than $210,000 in penalties to Vermont Dollar General stores since 2013, including $24,000 in penalties this year, said in a press release issued Thursday. Agency inspectors have observed repeated pricing inaccuracies which could shortchange consumers, such as discrepancies between the posted shelf price and the price charged at the register.

By enforcing weights and measures standards at retail stores, the Agency’s Consumer Protection Section works to make sure Vermonters get what they pay for. Inspectors are on the look-out for faulty price scanners and inaccurate scales – errors that cost shoppers money.

Vermont Business Magazine The 158th Fighter Wing Commander Colonel Patrick Guinee will relinquish command to incoming Wing Commander Colonel David Smith onSaturday, June 3, 2017. After an honorable career of 26-years serving our country and leading the Airmen of the 158th Fighter Wing Colonel Guinee will be retiring from the military. ColonelSmith has served as the 158th Fighter Wing Vice-Commander for the past two-years and has had a successful career as a leader within the Vermont Air National Guard to include 26-years as an accomplished F-16 pilot.

Vermont Business Magazine At ExxonMobil Corporation’s May 31 annual meeting a majority of shareholders, includingVermontStateTreasurerBethPearceand theVermont Pension Investment Committee (VPIC), voted to support a resolution urging ExxonMobil to act to address climate change. The successful action comes after repeated efforts by Pearce and VPIC to urge greater transparency and disclosure about exposure to carbon risk.

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims fell dramatically last week to under 400, which is more typical of a summer-time level, after Manufacturing layoffs caused a spike to 900 claims the week before. There also could be some volatility comingsoon after school lets out. Claims spiked to over 1,100 five weeks ago before falling steadily. Claims are lower than they were the same time last year, which has been the usual case for most weeks in 2017. For the week of May 27, 2017, there were 389 claims, down 511 from the previous week's total and 101 fewer than than they were a year ago.

Altogether 4,349 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 403 from a week ago, and 429 fewer than a year ago.

Claims during the summer hold at a relatively low level because of vacation hiring, until the next transition when school resumes in September.

Vermont Business MagazineUnion Mutual of Vermont presents the 2017 Special Olympics Vermont Summer GamesJune 3-4at the University of Vermont. Nearly 600 athletes will compete in basketball and bocce.The weekend begins onSaturday, June 3with preliminary bocce and basketball games. The Opening Ceremony event will take place in Patrick Gym featuring the culmination of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Darren Perron, award-winning reporter and Executive Producer for WCAX-Channel 3 News will emcee the event and celebrity guest, Amanda Pelkey presented by Union Mutual, will address the crowd. Pelkey is a Montpelier native and member of the US Women’s National Hockey Team. Opening Ceremonies is open to the public and all are welcome to come experience the joy.

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Congressman Welch (D-Vermont) issued scathing statements Thursday afternoon after President Donald Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. Republican Governor PhilScott also disagreed with the president's decision, but was more measured in his response.

Vermont Business MagazineThe fourth annual FreshTracks Road Pitch, a five-day motorcycle tour of Vermont in which a gang of “business bikers” (comprised of investors, entrepreneurs and business advisors) ride around the state and stop in ten Vermont towns to listen to entrepreneurs pitch their business concepts, will be heldJuly 31st through August 4th 2017. Entrepreneurs interested in pitching their concept or business to the riders should contact one of the local organizers noted below in order to apply for a pitch slot.At each of the 10 stops the riders will award a “Riders Choice Prize” of $500 and a special edition “Vermont Biker Bear” contributed by Vermont Teddy Bear.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s congressional delegation announced Thursday that Vermont has received $3 million in AmeriCorps funding. In a joint statement, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vermont) said, “AmeriCorps continues to make an enormous impact on the lives of people in Vermont and throughout the United States. We are pleased these funds will allow volunteers to continue to do this important work.”

The federal investment includes five grants totaling $1.6 million, which will support 191 AmeriCorps members. AmeriCorps members will engage in a range of work, including environmental conservation, mentoring disadvantaged youth, and pursuing opioid abuse prevention strategies.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Anthony Roisman, Esq as the next chair of the Public Service Board, the quasi-judicial regulatory board that oversees the siting of energy infrastructure, as well as public utility rates and service quality. Roisman will assume the chair position on June 12and replaces Jim Volz, who was first appointed by Governor Jim Douglas in 2005 and reappointed by Governor Peter Shumlin in 2011. Volz's term is expiring.

Roisman is an attorney in private practice. He consults with attorneys on environmental litigation, public participation before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and state regulatory agencies, and on the admissibility of expert testimony in complex litigation.

Vermont Business Magazine The Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center (CSC), a nonprofit with a mission to provide community access to Lake Champlain, today announced Owen Milne as the new Executive Director of the organization. He takes over from Mark Naud. Milne previously held positions at Red Thread as a workplace consultant and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility as the Development Director. His service to Vermont non-profits through board or committee positions is extensive, including United Way of Northwest Vermont and Leadership Champlain.