Current News

Vermont Business MagazineOn his first day in office, Governor Phil Scott signed an executive order to merge the state commissions that regulate Liquor and Lottery into a single entity. The House on Tuesday, however, introduced a bill (H525) that would form a committe to study whether to merge Liquor and the Lottery, even while saying that it seems to make sense. Scott does not see the need to delay what he sees as a more efficient single commission.

Vermont Business Magazine In the naissance of the Internet, a small phone company was formed in Bellows Falls that soon used its copper pairs to set up local email and Web browsing services. It was a local company that was competing against other local companies like Together Networks and national behemoths like AOL, CompuServe and Netscape. While some of those firms' technology still exists (even if they don't) from the good old days of the late '80s and early '90s (JavaScript, GIF), Sovernet, founded in 1995, evolved as a phone company CLEC and ISP. It was bought and sold a couple of times and eventually set up a "middle-mile" fiber network in Vermont and neighboring states that offers service largely to schools and government entities. Its new owner, FirstLight, announced today that it will rebrand Sovernet to the parent company name as it consolidates its recent flurry of acquisitions into one identity.

Vermont Business Magazine Gary S Thulander, president and general manager of the Woodstock Inn & Resort, was awarded the Borden E. Avery Innkeeper of the Year by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce at the 34^th Annual Vermont Tourism Summit, held April 5 & 6 at Stoweflake Resort, Stowe. The Vermont Chamber of Commerce Hospitality Awards are an important component of the Vermont tourism and hospitality sector. The awards presented each year at the Vermont Tourism Summit celebrate the hospitality and tourism industry’s vast contributions to the state economy, and acknowledge the award winners as stand-out achievers within the industry, who enhance Vermont’s iconic brand.

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington School Board and the Burlington Education Association, which represents unionized teachers, issued the following statement following a meeting Tuesday with a third-part mediator. The two sides signed a one-year agreement last fall after the previous contract expired in August. The agreement avoided a possible teacher strike, but not after bitter negotiations.

BEA union members and supporters at an "informational picket" September 27, 2016. BEA photo.

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.