Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The 552 graduates of the Middlebury College Class of 2017 basked in a splendid spring morning on Sunday, May 28, to celebrate the formal conclusion of their undergraduate careers. Thousands of friends and family gathered in the main quadrangle for Commencement, as the temperature hovered around the 70-degree mark, to hear from two guest speakers, watch as five honorary degrees were conferred, and cheer as the graduates crossed the platform one-by-one to receive their diplomas.

Vermont Business Magazine Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation will be hosting a Leadership Seminar on Wednesday June 7 from 7:15 to 9:15 am in the Milano Ballroom on the Norwich University campus in Northfield. This year’s keynote address will be given by Roseanna DeMaria, Founder and Principal of The DeMaria Group.

Ms. DeMaria's 20 plus years of business and management experience is broad based, from government to start-ups to Fortune 50 corporations. Roseanna's leadership skills and business results consistently achieved industry and Board recognition. She brings this rich body of knowledge and experience to her performance consulting practice to systematically transform organizations, teams and individuals. High Performance Transformation is her calling card.

Vermont Business Magazine Yankee Magazine’s “Best of New England” travel guide has named Stone Hill Inn the 2017 Editors’ Choice for Romantic Getaway, noting, “Luxury is the hallmark of this couples-only retreat nestled on nearly 10 acres in the heart of Stowe.” Kristie Roling, who took ownership of the B&B with her husband, Todd, last December, said, “We fell in love with the romanticism of the gardens, the rooms and the seclusion, and love to share it with other couples, who often come to celebrate a special milestone in their lives.”

"Nearly half our guests come to celebrate an event–a proposal, an engagement, a wedding, an elopement, a honeymoon, an anniversary or a birthday,” agreed Todd Roling, who added, “But Stone Hill Inn is the perfect spot for couples to just spend time together recharging and reconnecting in a romantic escape from their hectic daily lives.”

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced two appointments to the leadership team at the Agency of Natural Resource’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and appointed a state librarian within the Agency of Administration. Rebecca Ellis, senior counsel for Government Affairs with DEC has been appointed to the position of deputy commissioner and Neil Kamman,manager of DEC’s Monitoring, Assessment and Planning Program, has been promoted to the role of senior policy advisor in the Commissioner’s Office.

“Vermont’s natural resources play a critical role in our economy, quality of life, and the health of all Vermonters,” said Scott. “Rebecca and Neil both bring valuable skills and a commitment to public service that will benefit the state, our environment, and all Vermonters.”

Vermont Business Magazine Saint Michael's College President John JNeuhauser announced plans to leave the College in June of 2018 in a memo to the College community onMay 26, 2017.Named 16^thpresident of the residential liberal arts Catholic College on July 1, 2007, President Neuhauser successfully led the College through the USfinancial crisis to dramatically improve the College’s academic standing, the student experience, and facilities.

Vermont Business MagazineNew England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU) President/CEO John JDwyer, Jrannounced today a $1 million grant from NEFCU to Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) to address the critical need for affordable housing. The money will be awarded by VHFA over the coming year to several housing developments that have funding shortfalls.

The grant is a bold step toward helping Vermont’s 30,000 low-income renter households who receive no housing assistance but face rents that are out of line with their income. More than half of the state’s low-income renters live in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille and Washington counties—the 6 counties served by NEFCU.

Vermont Business Magazine Four years of planning and 16 months of construction culminated in the May 25 open house celebration at Red Clover Commons, a 55-unit apartment building which will provide replacement housing for residents of Melrose Terrace and others.

Melrose Terrace, constructed by the Brattleboro Housing Authority in 1965, is adjacent to the Whetstone Brook and much of the property is in the floodway and flood plain. The entire site was flooded by Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011 and 60 of the 80 apartments were damaged. Those units have been repaired and re-occupied, but it was clear to the Housing Authority that the senior and disabled residents needed to be relocated to a safer site.

Leonine Public Affairs Little will be remembered about the 2017 legislative session beyond what happened during the last four weeks. The end of session debate over teachers’ health insurance contracts and Governor Phil Scott’s subsequent threat to veto the budget largely defines the first year of the biennium.

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), joined by 28 of their colleagues in the Senate, introduced legislation to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. Reps Bobby Scott (D-Va) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn) introduced a companion bill Thursday with 152 cosponsors in the House.

Vermont Business MagazineLyft, the fastest growing ridesharing service in the US, has launched in Vermont. The service area extends from Burlington to Montpelier to Middlebury. Lyft was founded in June 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to reconnect people and communities through better transportation. Lyft is the fastest-growing rideshare company in the US and is available in more than 300 cities.

by Nils BehnLast Tuesday the Public Service Board published their final rules on sound level restrictions for wind turbines. The restrictions added up to a rule that is the equivalent of a ban on wind power. Such an action is out of touch with Vermont’s commitment to sourcing 90 percent of our energy from renewables, and is contrary to Vermont statute. Furthermore, it threatens a clean energy sector which has brought millions of dollars into the state in the form of taxes, jobs, and environmental benefits. The wind industry creates good paying jobs where people are rebuilding our local economies, and protecting the planet.

Vermont Business Magazine A total of $21,380 was donated to the Vermont Foodbank as a result ofSeven Days' 8th annual Vermont Restaurant Week. This popular event was presented by Vermont Federal Credit Union and organized bySeven Days.“Vermont Restaurant Week is an incredible celebration of food for our community. It raises awareness about the issue of hunger in our state and helps us ensure all of our neighbors have the quality food they need to thrive,” said Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles. “We are so grateful toSeven Days, Vermont Federal Credit Union, City Market, the Vermont Community Foundation, sponsors, restaurants and customers who came together to make this generous gift possible. Their commitment helps work toward a reality where everyone in our community can celebrate the joy of good food.”