Current News

Vermont Business MagazineThe University of Vermont has received its second Gold rating from STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System for higher education. The university’s score of 70.87 placed it among the top 12 percent of all rated institutions. The Gold rating is valid for three years.A program of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, STARS is the most widely adopted sustainability rating in higher education. Publications like the Princeton Review and Sierra draw on the data STARS compiles for their own college sustainability rankings.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) is pleased to announce the Direct Admissions program, which gives Community College of Vermont (CCV) graduates guaranteed transfer admission into Castleton University, Johnson State, Lyndon State or Vermont Tech, where students have the option of enrolling in one of nearly 50 bachelor’s degree programs, with more expected soon.

Direct Admissions represents the VSCS’s commitment to making higher education accessible and flexible for all Vermonters. The program allows students to save both time and money, eliminate the uncertainty of the transfer process, benefit from the support of two partnering institutions, and complete two degree programs.

Vermont Business Magazine OnSaturday, May 6, fromnoon to 6 pm, Southern Vermont College (SVC) will host the 2nd Annual BATS Trail Mix Event. This year, SVC students in the Sports, Recreation and Tourism Management program will once again partner with Bennington Area Trail System (BATS) to promote awareness, access and safe usage of our area trails.

Bennington was voted Runner Up for “Best Sports Town” in Vermont in the recent Vermont Sports issue. According to the Vermont Trails and Greenway Member Organizations, last year Vermont trail systems recorded nearly 410,000 visitors. On average, 61 percent of trail users were from out of state and spent around $440 per visit. The 2015 to 2016 season noted $30.8 million in total annual economic activity supported by trail users. The SVC and BATS partnership is in its early stages, yet data indicates that trail system growth can be a driver for our local economy.

Vermont Business Magazine It's almost time for spring turkey hunting in Vermont. Youth spring turkey hunting weekend is April 29-30 this year, and the regular spring turkey season is May 1-31. What makes Vermont's spring gobbler season special? Vermont's turkey hunting is statewide during the spring season. Vermont's turkey population is one of the highest in New England. You can buy a turkey hunting license without having to go through a lottery. The turkey license comes with two spring tags for two bearded birds and one tag for a turkey of either sex in the fall season. Plus, you get to hunt the entire weekend because hunting is allowed on Sundays.

Vermont Business Magazine AccessCMO, a firm that focuses on marketing advice and counsel for growing businesses, has announced a discounted service rate for Women-owned businesses tied directly to the wage gap women face in the marketplace."When I started this firm, it was all about access -- giving small and growing businesses access to senior marketing leadership usually reserved for big brands," David Weaver stated. "The more I thought about the wage gap women face in the marketplace, the more I realized I had to offer something to address it - directly."

David Weaver, AccessCMO

April 4th is Equal Pay Day in Vermont. Equal Pay Day’s date symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year due to the gender wage gap.

Vermont Business MagazineThe Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board is now in the process of seeking public input on a number of proposed fishing regulation changes that could go into effect starting in 2018.

Vermont Business Magazine On Thursday April 6^th at 11:30 am, Governor Phil School will join individuals personally touched by organ donation, VT DMV Commissioner Rob Ide, Members of the VT Organ and Tissue Donation Advisory Council, and Donate Life Vermont to announce April as Donate Life Month in Vermont, encouraging citizens to register as organ and tissue donors.

Vermont Business Magazine Northern Power Systems Corp. (TSX: NPS), a next generation renewable energy technology company, has announced financial results for its fourth quarter and year endedDecember 31, 2016. Northern Power, based in Barre, is best known for its remote, small scale wind energy systems. Last year it sold its larger-scale wind turbine business and patents to Brazilian energy companyWEG SA(Bovespa: WEGE3 / OTC: WEGZY).

Vermont Business Magazine Auto-Owners Insurance and Concord General Mutual Insurance have announced that their affiliation has been approved effectiveApril 1, 2017, by policyholders and all regulatory bodies. Auto-Owners is an AMBest A++ (Superior) rated multi-line property and casualty insurer, operating solely through independent agencies in 26 states. New Hampshire-based Concord General Mutual Insurance is a leading property and casualty insurance provider through independent agencies inVermont,Maine,New HampshireandMassachusetts.Michigan-based Auto-Owners also owns a life company and an excess & surplus lines company.

"The combining of capabilities will allow us to expand our product and premium base and help support theConcordname in the (New England) region," saidLinda Day,Concord'spresident and CEO.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Colleges System Board of Trustees inducted its second alumni Hall of Fame class and raised over $110,000 for student scholarships. “The strong show of support for the Vermont State Colleges and our students exceeded our expectations. We are very grateful for the recognition of the critical role the VSC plays in the state’s economy and in opening doors of opportunity for Vermonters,” said VSC Chancellor Jeb Spaulding.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police Tuesday arrested 65 individuals as part of a coordinated statewide arrest warrant sweep, according to a VSP statement issued Tuesday night. All of these individuals have pending criminal charges in Superior Court (felonies and misdemeanors) and failed to uphold their court obligations which resulted in warrants being issued for their arrest.

According to the statement, troopers from all ten Vermont State Police field stations were joined by local police officers, county sheriff's, game wardens, DMV officers, and federal law enforcement to make today's coordinated arrests.In addition, one person was arrested in Enosburg for hindering the arrest of a wanted person who was found hiding in their residence. The Vermont State’s Attorney offices and Vermont Department of Corrections also assisted throughout the state.

Vermont Business Magazine Change The Story VT (CTS) has unveiled its new status report, “Vermont Women and Leadership,” as part of an Equal Pay Day event on Tuesday at the Vermont State House. The new report, relying on primary research from multiple sources and contributors, focuses specifically on recent Vermont data that paints a very mixed picture of gender parity in leadership positions in the state. By some measures, Vermont is a national pacesetter in its share of women in key leadership positions. By others, women’s leadership status lags behind other states. Overall, Vermont women have yet to achieve equal representation as leaders in any but a few political, civic or professional realms.