Current News

Vermont Busines Magazine Vermont Gas is now making it easier for homeowners in mobile home communities to save money and reduce their energy needs. Vermont Gas’ new Mobile Home Pilot Program is designed to identify and repair leaky air ducts and upgrade insulation in the roof and floor of mobile homes. Older homes can be particularly inefficient and drafty, reducing winter comfort and leading to increased costs for families. With Vermont Gas’ help, these homes can see 20% savings on their energy bills.

“I knew because of the type of home I own that it wasn’t very efficient for the environment or for my checkbook, I wanted to do something about it but wasn’t sure where to turn,” said Jodie Peck, of Williston. “I was surprised how helpful the free energy audit was and how easy it was to work with Vermont Gas to upgrade my home. Thanks to Vermont Gas and this program, I’m actually looking forward to winter for the first time in a long time.”

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Electric today launched its first ever electric vehicle (EV) rebate incentive program, through which members of the Burlington community will be eligible for a $1,200 rebate on the purchase or lease of a new EV with an MSRP of less than $50,000 (eg, not Tesla). The program will serve as an important component of making Burlington a “net zero energy city” across electric, thermal, and ground transportation sectors and will help Burlington Electric with its efforts to meet Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES).

Vermont Business MagazineTick season has arrived, but the Vermont Health Department says Vermonters can enjoy being outside in our beautiful state by knowing how to avoid ticks and their bite.Visitors to thehealthvermont.gov/BeTickSmartwebsite will find information and resources about how to avoid ticks and what to do if you find one. The department has also updated its crowd-sourced Tick Tracker, where people can share information about ticks they find around the state.

Vermont Business MagazineThe Cancer Patient Support Foundation (CPSF) announced that they have reached a $2 million milestone in funds that they have awarded directly to local cancer patients and their families. CPSF’s Emergency Fund is the only fund that serves the entire state of Vermont and Northern New York helping local cancer patients and their families with emergency financial needs to access medical treatment and assist with their everyday expenses.

Vermont Business Magazine In an area where nearly 1 out of 4 high school students in the North Country Supervisory Union reported being a current smoker, Northeast Kingdom Learning Services is preparing for new and expanded partnerships to advance tobacco prevention - with the help of a Community Prevention Grant from the Vermont Department of Health. Northeast Kingdom Learning Services is one of 13 organizations across the state to be awarded a grant, which comes from the state's global commitment fund. The Community Prevention Grants, which total $715,000, aim to prevent tobacco use among youth, reduce youth and adult tobacco use, and reduce secondhand smoke exposure. Community-led interventions, such as smoke-free parks and downtowns, and raising awareness of how tobacco products are locally promoted, marketed and sold, are proven best practices for promoting the health of Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center’s Chittenden Clinic recently announced that it is providing services to 1,000 people between its two sites. In addition, the Clinic, which principally treats opioid addictions,has reduced its waitlist from 750 people in 2013 to fewer than 90 in 2017. The average wait time is 40-50 days.

Dana Poverman, Howard Center Director of Medication Assisted Treatment Programs, says, “While these numbers represent our commitment to provide evidenced-based services in a timely manner, we continue to work with community partners toward the shared goal of achieving access to treatment upon demand, not only for medication assisted treatment but for residential services, as well.

Vermont Business Magazine​Home Care Assistance of Greater Burlington have opened the doors toits office in Essex Junction. The Grand Opening was held on Wednesday, May 24.“I am excited to share what makes Home Care Assistance unique in the home care industry,” said Tom Lee, co-owner.

Based on the scientific studies of the world’s healthiest seniors, the Balanced Care Methodpromotes five key lifestyle behaviors correlated with healthy longevity: healthy diet, physical exercise, active social ties, mental stimulation and a sense of purpose and calm. Caregivers are professionally trained to incorporate the Method into daily care to encourage healthy mind, body and spirit.

by Bill SchubartMy father died in Leyte Gulf in the Philippines on December 3, 1944, when the ship on which he was serving as a Naval lieutenant was hit by a Japanese torpedo and sank in under a minute. 168 were rescued when they swam to a nearby island and 191 were lost. I never knew my father. I was born four months later in New York City to a war widow in mourning, who shortly after my birth, moved with me to Morrisville, Vermont. Several years later she married a handsome French-Canadian ski instructor named Emile Rene Couture, and so I grew up in a small catholic community as Bill Couture.

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.”