Current News

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine At his weekly press conference, Governor Phil Scott announced the he expected to announce a new chair of the Public Service Board this week, as James Volz's term is expiring on the utility regulatory panel. He also said he had signed the racial justice bill (H308) into law. He also added that talks over S22, marijuana legalization, were progressing and while he had already vetoed the bill, he could see a “path forward” to sign a bill during the June 21 veto session.

On the most contentious issue, that of a statewide teacher health insurance plan, he said he would veto both the budget and the property tax bills when they reached his desk. However, despite no new talks, he would not close down the government and would eventually sign both bills.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) will deliver the commencement remarks at two Vermont high schools in the coming weeks. Sanders will deliver the South Royalton High School commencement address on June 10 in South Royalton. Sanders will also be the commencement speaker during Champlain Valley Union High School’s graduation on June 16. On Monday, Sanders will also deliver video remarks to graduating high school students at St Johnsbury Academy. He had planned to be in St Johnsbury but had to withdraw because he will still be in Europe.

Sanders plans to share with Vermont’s graduating seniors the importance of getting involved in our democracy.

Vermont Business Magazine American Resort Management, LLC of Erie, PA today announced that the new Hampton by Hilton located in the heart of downtown St Albans will open with a ribbon-cutting at 3pm on Friday, June 2. Members of the community along with City dignitaries are expected to attend. The hotel was developed by PeakCM and will be professionally managed by American Resort Management, LLC of Erie, PA.

Vermont Business MagazineOne of the nation’s largest vendors of electronic health records (EHR) software, eClinicalWorks (ECW), and certain of its employees will pay a total of $155 million to resolve a False Claims Act lawsuit alleging that ECW misrepresented the capabilities of its software, the Justice Department announced. The settlement also resolves allegations that ECW paid kickbacks to certain customers in exchange for promoting its product. The whistleblower will get $30 million and the rest will go back into the federal Medicaid program. The state of Vermont itself will not receive any money. ECW is headquartered in Westborough, MA.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan joined with Vermont power companies, businesses, and residents to launch a new campaign to protect Vermonters from being scammed by people pretending to be a utility.These scammers call residents and businesses demanding immediate payment for electricity with a credit card, pre-paid card or money order. Utilities report these scams are increasing and scammers are becoming more sophisticated and tech savvy in their scams. To raise awareness and protect Vermonters, the Attorney General’s office started the “Scam Buster” campaign, reminding people to stop, ask, and confirm before they make any payment to avoid being scammed.

Vermont Business Magazine The first phase of the multi-year effort to completely rebuild, expand, and enhance the entire eight-mile Burlington Bike Path broke ground in 2014 with Phase 1a, from Waterfront Park to Perkins Pier. Phase 1a included updating the path to current multi-use standards and enhancing the landscape from Perkins Pier to Penny Lane. The total construction cost was $830,000 and construction concluded in 2015.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Energy Control Systems (VECS) from Ferrisburgh in Addison County has been selected by Congressman Peter Welch’s office to attend the IoT (Internet of Things) annual showcase. The event on June 13 highlights innovation and technology on Capitol Hill in Washington. It's hosted by the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection. VECS was chosen because they are an emerging Vermont business which designs and manufactures electronic devices using cutting edge technology for IoT applications.

Vermont Business Magazine The Martin family founded, owned and ran WCAX-TV since 1954. On Thursday, June 1, Gray Television Inc of Atlanta will take over ownership of Vermont's first commercial television station. Two long-serving Vermont journalists offer their unique perspectives on the station, the Martins and what WCAX has meant to Vermont. National Life Vice President Chris Graff was the bureau chief of Vermont's Associated Press office and was a frequent commentator for WCAX. Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbettswas a reporter and then news director at WCAX.

Vermont Business Magazine Ledyard Financial Group, Inc, headquartered in Hanover, NH, isthe holding company for Ledyard National Bank. Itwas ranked among the Top 200 publicly traded banks and thrifts in the United States by American Banker Magazine for the third straight year.The rankings were based on return on average equity across three years.Ledyard Financial Group ranked 159thin 2016 and moved up twenty-one spots to the 138thposition in 2017 with a three-year average ROAE of 9.74%.Ledyard National Bank has a branch in Norwich, Vermont.

Vermont Business MagazineAmong its highlights for FY17, Walmart anticipates investing millions in Vermont through the remodeling of its Williston store this year, along with e-commerce enhancements and other customer-focused priorities across its six Vermont stores. The Arkansas retail giant also boasted $460,000 in cash and in-kind contributions to Vermont non-profits, employs over 1,200 in-state, and spends over a quarter-billion dollarswith Vermont suppliers.

Walmart released its 10th annual Global Responsibility Report Tuesday, which highlights “milestones in its global progress toward creating shared value for people, business, and society.”

Vermont Business Magazine Mobius is excited to announce the start of the 2017-2018 Vermont Mentoring Grants application process. These annual grants are designed to support new and existing mentoring programs in Vermont that match adult volunteers as mentors for youth mentees (ages 5-22) in long-term, one-to-one, quality-based mentoring relationships.

Vermont Business MagazineChristopher CShaddock Jrhas been appointed the Director of Business Development for the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce. Shaddock comes with over forty years of experience in service, sales and marketing in the health and fitness industry along with a decade of sales leadership in resort development including the Killington Grand Hotel project and the Okemo Mountain, Jackson Gore Inn and Golf expansion.