Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Fiddlehead Brewing Company of Shelburne, VT recently donated $119,406 to The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital to improve spaces in which teens and younger children can relax and play while they are inpatients. The money was raised through sales of Fiddlehead Brewing’s Mastermind beer. Proceeds were donated to a Vermont team that participated in a 24-hour video gaming marathon called “Extra Life” which benefits hospitals in the Children’s Miracle Network. Noah Cohen, son of Fiddlehead owners Matt and Amy Cohen, organized “Team Mastermind” which participated with teams from throughout the United States and Canada in the fundraising effort.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont is among the least air polluted places in the nation and Burlington is one of the cleanest cities, ranking 17th overall. The American Lung Association’s 2017 “State of the Air” report released Wednesday found that all reporting counties in Vermont sustained average to above average grades for both ozone and particle pollution, two of the most common forms of hazardous air pollution.The data for the 2017 ‘State of the Air’ Report shows that Vermont counties continued to decrease already low ozone days, while Rutland county did see its high particle pollution days increase from 3 to 6.While not enough to change its passing grade for particle pollution, the Lung Association warns that the increase is not insignificant.

Vermont Business Magazine In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon and entitled "Clarification re: CVMC," Green Mountain Care Board memberCornelius Hogan said "he got ahead of himself" in remarks he made during a board meeting last week to Central Vermont Medical Center officials regarding possible sanctions by the board regarding the Berlin hospital's spending. A VTDigger storyMonday covering the meeting then generated a response from GMCB's own general counsel that contradicted Hogan's statement, which then was followed by Hogan's own retraction Tuesday.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont and six other states filed a motion Monday to intervene in a lawsuit to defend federal efficiency standards for light bulbs. In March, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) filed a lawsuit against the USDepartment of Energy (DOE), challenging the DOE’s new energy efficiency regulations for light bulbs.

“Energy efficiency makes sense. Not only for our environment but for Vermonters' bottom line,” said Vermont Attorney General TJDonovan.

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.