Current News

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine One of the final remaining questions involving the re-development of the Burlington Town Center – where’s the money coming from? – has been answered. Rouse Properties, a leading owner and operator of retail and lifestyle centers across the country, today announced in a press release that it plans to enter into a joint venture agreement with Devonwood Investors LLC, owner of the Burlington Town Center, to redevelop and completely transform “this outdated, suburban-style shopping mall, which is located in the core of Burlington, Vermont, into a state-of-the-art mixed use center that will feature high quality neighborhood apartments, shops, restaurants, services, and offices.”

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Jim Harrison as Representative for the Rutland-Windsor District, serving Bridgewater, Chittenden, Killington, and Mendon. Harrison, a resident of North Chittenden, was appointed to fill the seat vacated by former Representative Job Tate (R), who – as a reservist serving with a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion – is being deployed. Keeping with traditional practice when replacing a member of the Legislature, Governor Scott selected a replacement from the same political party.

Vermont Business MagazineGovernor Phil Scott filled another extended cabinet position in his administration last Thursday, with the appointment of Lisa Menard as Commissioner of the Department of Corrections (DOC). Menard had been serving as Acting Commissioner of the department since Governor Scott took office in January. As Commissioner, Menard leads a team of 1,047 corrections professionals that operate the state’s correctional system.

“Lisa has demonstrated incredible leadership and professionalism heading the Department of Corrections, and I am pleased to have her join our team as Commissioner, where I’m confident she will continue to serve the Department and the State well,” said Gov. Scott.

Vermont Business Magazine A $6 million gift from the Gund family – with a challenge to raise even more from other donors – will create the University of Vermont’s first university-wide sustainability institute that will accelerate UVM’s longstanding commitment to the environment. Designed to catalyze interdisciplinary research at UVM, the new initiative also will connect scholars with government, business and societal leaders to address urgent sustainability issues around the globe. The gift was announced by the university Tuesday morning.

by Vermont Representatives Sarah Copeland-Hanzas, Johannah Leddy Donovan, Diana González, and Martin LaLonde Donald Trump’s anti-climate agenda threatens Vermont’s economy and endangers Vermonters’ health. While the president retreats to bygone days when coal was king, there are no coal mining jobs in Vermont. There are, however, 17,000 Vermonters whose jobs in clean energy are threatened by his policies. And every Vermonter needs to be concerned that the president will allow more mercury, lead and arsenic – just some of the deadly byproducts of coal combustion -- into our air and water.

There’s a better way.

Vermont Business MagazineGreenbanc, a certified B Corporation and the winner of Green Mountain Power’s InspireSpace contest, has partnered with The Alchemist to offer all employees a free Home Energy Score.The score is a new approach to measuring home energy performance, developed by the Department of Energy, that is fast, affordable, simple, creditable and flexible. It is an asset-based rating intended to be similar to a vehicle’s miles-per-gallon rating for a home.

“I am so pleased to partner with the Alchemist to expand the number of Vermonters who are getting their Home Energy Score,” said North Lennox, founder of Greenbanc. “It’s an easy way for homeowners to identify cost-effective energy improvements that will help them save money, be more comfortable and have a more valuable home.”

Vermont Business MagazineIn 2015, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded Vermont a three-year, $8.9 million dollar grant to develop a job readiness and training pilot program for people receiving 3SquaresVT benefits. Since March of 2016, over 1,350 Vermonters have participated in the pilot called Jobs for Independence (JFI).

Vermont Business Magazine Teens in southwestern Vermont and the surrounding area can now receive memes on their cell phones sent from Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) as part of a new program, SVHC’s Life Hacks. The word “hack” has many meanings. When used in this way, it describes clever solutions to common concerns or tips that make difficult situations easier. These hacks—like how to manage stress, drink more water, and navigate peer pressure—are presented as images with overlaid text, known as memes. The memes are specifically designed for teens and will be delivered via text message.

“Teenagers communicate via text messaging and images. Memes that link images and text in funny or interesting ways can be very memorable. Texted memes provides an opportunity to reach teens in ways other communications channels cannot.” said Jim Trimarchi, Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s director of planning.

Vermont Business Magazine The Personal Income and Rooms & Meals taxes continue to out-perform targets and were joined in March by the Corporate Income tax in pushing total General Fund revenues ahead of expectations for the month and the year-to-date. The Corporate numbers had been running below targets and are still behind last year's total. The Sales tax, however, has under-performed for many months, which is largely blamed on Internet sales. Personal Income is by far the state's most important revenue source, with Sales second. The Transportation and Education Funds fell below targets in part because of sluggish motor vehicle sales.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Public Service in a statement released today has called on the Public Service Board to evaluate existing forms of utility regulation in light of emerging trends in the energy and utility sectors. The Department maintains that this review is needed in light of developments in State policy in recent years, particularly the enactment of laws incentivizing renewable energy; technological advancements in the utility sector; and the past decade’s worth of experience with alternative regulation.

Commissioner June Tierney said: “The Department is committed to open and transparent utility regulation, with the goal of ensuring that customers receive safe and reliable service at affordable rates. The Department’s hope is that the Board will facilitate a vigorous discussion about the changing utility sector and how regulation can evolve to meet the challenges and opportunities it presents.”

Vermont Business Magazine Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, political commentator, and former editor-in-chief of Newsweek, will deliver the 2017 Middlebury College commencement address on Sunday, May 28. A presidential historian, Meacham is the author of a number of books, including Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush, which was named one of the 10 best books of 2015 by the Washington Post and one of the best books of the year by the New York Times Book Review, Time magazine, and National Public Radio. He is also the author of “Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power” (2012) and the Pulitzer Prize-winning American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House (2009).

Vermont Business MagazineThe other snowshoe has dropped in a flurry of ski area mergers and acquisitions that seeks to merge operations in the East and West.Aspen Skiing Company, LLCannounced today that it and an equity partner are buyingIntrawest Resorts Holdings, Inc(NYSE: SNOW),which owns iconic southern Vermont resort Stratton Mountain and northern neighborMont Tremblant inQuebec, in a deal valued at $1.5 billion. Already this ski season, Aspen has cut a deal with Sugarbush Vermont on sharing ski passes, while itsColorado rival Vail bought the skiing operations of Stowe Mountain Resort for $50 million.