Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont has achieved the Real Food Campus Commitment, a university pledge signed in 2012 to track and increase responsible food sourcing on campus, three years ahead of schedule. The university had originally set out to meet the 20 percent Real Food milestone by 2020. To build on this momentum, UVM has renewed its commitment with a new goal of 25 percent by 2020.

The Real Food Challenge is a nationwide student-led campaign to shift institutional purchasing to more sustainable and community-based food production. The national organization offers tools to audit university dining systems and support the procurement of qualifying products.

Vermont Business MagazineMembers of the University of Vermont’s Wellness Environment (WE) have a different idea about how to celebrate 4-20, a day (April 20) many college students use to flaunt marijuana laws: They’re using the occasion to promote healthy choices by staging a 5K run. More than 700 students, faculty and staff have already registered for the race. Organizers expect 1,000 to participate.

WE 5K run: On April 20 at 4:20 p.m. UVM's Wellness Environment will host its second 5K run to promote health and wellness. UVM photo.

Community members are also invited join the run. All participants will receive a WE t-shirt.

Vermont Business Magazine Two historic agreements will allow the protection of valuable farmland and the scenic gateway to Randolph. The Vermont Natural Resources Council announced today that Jesse “Sam” Sammis and his wife Jean “Jinny” Sammis have agreed to sell 149 acres of land off Exit 4 in Randolph to the Castanea Foundation for $1.2 million for conservation purposes. The Montpelier-based foundation is acting as an intermediary to hold the land to allow time for the sale of a conservation easement with public funding, private fundraising, and the eventual sale of the conserved land to Ayers Brook Goat Dairy for agricultural purposes.

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger and Burlington Electric Department General Manager Neale Lunderville today promoted the benefits of zero-emissions battery electric buses (E-buses) for the City of Burlington during an event that began at Burlington Electric and continued with a ride through the City on an E-bus that is in town for a two-week pilot program with Green Mountain Transit (GMT). The 40-foot transit bus being tested would reduce GMT’s reliance on fossil fuels and avoid greenhouse gas emissions.

Vermont Business MagazineVHV Company, based in Winooski, announced today the establishment of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which effectively transfers ownership of the company to all employees. David Brown, President of VHV Company, sold his ownership interest to the newly created Employee Stock Ownership Trust, allowing employees to gain the benefit of ownership without any personal investment.

Vermont Business Magazine On Monday, April 17, the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Board of Commissioners committed federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and Vermont Affordable Housing Credits that will provide almost $37 million in upfront equity to construct and renovate housing for low-income Vermonters over the next several years. The $2.5 million in ten-year federal capped credits, $610,000 in ten-year federal uncapped "bond" credits and $485,000 in five-year state credits will support the development of 272 affordable apartments in 11 communities across the state. VHFA permanent and construction financing totaling $7.2 million was also approved for 5 of the projects.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today commemorated his first 100 days as Vermont’s 82nd Governor, thanking his staff and detailing priorities for the coming months. In a press release issued Tuesday, he shared his thoughts and outlined his administrations accomplishments through the first three months since he took office. The governor reiterated that he is committed to growing the economy, making Vermont more affordable, and protecting the most vulnerable, while focusing on initiatives that will help address those three core challenges.

With an aging population and stagnant population growth, Vermont has been losing an average of six workers from its workforce and three students from its schools per day for the last several years, he said. As the opiate epidemic continues to impact the entire state, Vermont has also seen nearly one child a day born exposed to drugs.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger released the following statement regarding a Special Election for the Ward 7 City Council seat: “On Saturday, April 8, 2017, City Councilor Tom Ayres submitted a letter of resignation to the City effective June 26, 2017 at the conclusion of the City Council meeting that evening. Councilor Ayres has taken a job as the new Executive Director of Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph, Vermont.

“Accordingly, after consulting with the City Attorney and the Clerk/Treasurer’s Office, pursuant to the Charter authority of the Mayor, I am calling a special election on June 27, 2017, the day after Councilor Ayres steps down. This will ensure there is no lapse in representation for the New North End and the voters of Ward 7 on the City Council.

Vermont Business Magazine Don Sinex, managing member of Devonwood Investors LLC and BTC Mall Associates LLC, the owner and developer of the Burlington Town Center, issued the following statement regarding the zoning permit appeal filed by a group of opponents attempting to block redevelopment of the Burlington Town Center: The opponents have filed various challenges along the way and have focused their appeals on the 14-story height of some of the new complex as out-of-scale to the rest of Burlington. The project recently received private financing and has been approved by local zoning officials and by voters in March. This new appeal has gone to the Vermont Superior Court Environmental Division.

Vermont Business Magazinie Vermont once again has one of the highest business tax burdens in the nation, according to new analysis by Anderson Economic Group (personal income taxes are due today, Tuesday April 18). The study, which ranks states based on the portion of business income that goes toward taxes, found that 12.6 percent of Vermont businesses profits go toward taxes, placing the state at 48^th out of 51 states including the District of Columbia. The study also ranks states on 11 different types of business taxes and shows that Vermont has one of the highest business property and unemployment compensation tax burdens nationwide.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST), a 501(c) (3) organization, is launching a $3 million capital campaign for the continued redevelopment Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT). When completed, the trail, extending 93 miles from St. Johnsbury to Swanton, will be the longest rail trail in New England. As a year-round recreational corridor, it serves walkers and runners, bicyclists, snowmobilers, horseback riders, cross country skiers and mushers. VAST Executive Director Cindy Locke believes that the trail is going to be the top four-season recreation destination in Vermont when it is completed. In addition to its recreational amenities, LVRT will be a powerful economic engine for the 18 towns along its route.

Vermont Business Magazine Grace Cottage Family Health of Townshend, VT, has received Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). This certifies that Grace Cottage’s Rural Health Clinic has achieved the highest level of evidence-based, patient-centered, coordinated care. The NCQA PCMH model of primary care combines teamwork and information technology to improve access, communication and patient involvement, and to reduce costs. Medical homes use systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care to foster ongoing partnerships between patient and provider, rather than approaching medical care as a series of episodic office visits.

Research shows that medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and can improve patient and provider reported experiences of care.