Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Finalized results filed on Tuesday confirm that New England’s annual capacity auction concluded at a lower price than the previous three auctions and with sufficient resources to meet electricity demand in 2020–2021. ISO New England Inc filed the finalized results with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Vermont Business Magazine Flex-A-Seal, anEssex Junction,Vermont-based manufacturer of custom engineered mechanical seals and welded metal bellows, recently acquired H&S Sealing, which has been doing business in Louisiana for over 35 years. As part of the expansion effort, H&S Sealing will become Flex-A-Seal Service Solutions.With the addition ofService Solutions, the company expands its capabilities and its ability to service a wide range of customers in the southern United States and throughout the country. Flex-A-Seal Service Solutions will retain the original Louisiana-based employees and leadership of the H&S Sealing team. Financial terms were not released.

“Flex-A-Seal is extremely pleased to welcome the Louisiana team,” said Flex-A-Seal Vice President Alex Slauson. “Their knowledge and expertise are a perfect fit with what we strive to bring to our customers: service and solutions.”

Vermont Business Magazine Jean O’Sullivan, of Burlington, has been confirmed by Headquarters, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (DoD), as the new State Chair for Vermont Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. In that role, Jean will provide leadership and vision for the Vermont “committee”, comprised primarily of volunteers and a small full-time support staff.

Jean O’Sullivan, ESGR

Vermont Business Magazine For a third year, Efficiency Vermont and Burlington Electric Department are launching a grant program for non-profit organizations to help low-income Vermonters reduce their energy bills. The grant program was first launched in January 2014 and has proven successful over the past two years – delivering measurable energy savings and receiving positive feedback from program participants.

In 2016, more than 170 megawatt hours of energy were saved under the grant program – or enough energy to power 22 Vermont homes for one year. In addition, the participating organizations conducted 750 home energy visits, which involved replacing inefficient light bulbs with more efficient compact fluorescent and LED light bulbs, installing energy-saving, low-flow water devices and advanced power strips, and identifying other opportunities to reduce energy use, such as replacing inefficient refrigerators and implementing weatherization projects.

Vermont Business Magazine The Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions (AVCC) is seeking applications for its 2017 Tiny Grant program. The grants provide seed money and/or matching funds for specific conservation projects at the local level and AVCC members are eligible to apply. Individual grants are available in the range of $250-$600.

Vermont Business MagazineAfter a strong wind storm hit the Northeast, with gusts up to 55 mph in Vermont, Green Mountain Power announced Thursday morning that its crews are out making repairs. Forecasters say the strong winds will continue through the afternoon, potentially causing more outages. As of 10:30 am, about 5,700 homes are without power across the state, with most of the outages in Southern Vermont. So far, 5,800 customers have had their power restored.

“Our crews were ready and deployed around the state and they responded as the winds started. They will work as quickly and safely as possible to make repairs,” said Kristin Carlson, GMP’s Vice President of External Affairs. “All of our neighboring states were hit hard and are experiencing extensive outages from this storm. Our advanced preparation is helping us restore power quickly in Vermont.”

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUTAGE MAP

Vermont Business Magazine StoliVodka, "original premium vodka with uncompromising quality since 1938,"and "leading Premium Alternative Mountain lifestyle" brand Burton, which is the snowboard company based in Burlington, today announced in a zestfully written press release,a partnership that brings together two bold brands that are best served cold.Stoli is the Official Vodka of the 2017 Burton USSnowboarding Championships inVail, CO,which runs through March 4.

Vermont Business Magazine Students in search of a unique hospitality and resort education experience in the heart of the outdoors, look no further: Green Mountain College's Killington School of Resort Management (KSRM) invites prospective students and their families to attend an Open House at the school on Saturday, March 18 from 10 am to 5 pm for a chance to connect with the program’s passionate faculty and current students, learn firsthand what KSRM is all about, and even put their ski and snowboarding skills to use on the Vermont slopes. Sign up for the Open House here.

Vermont Business MagazineForty-five years ago, President Richard Nixon established a national nutrition program for seniors that created what we now know as Meals on Wheels. That program now delivers nutritious meals to homebound seniors in virtually every community across the country. This March, a host of Vermont legislators and civic leaders will celebrate that historic commitment to America’s aging seniors by pitching in to help deliver freshly prepared meals to elderly friends and neighbors in Bennington County.

In an effort to raise awareness for the important work done by Bennington County Meals on Wheels, state senators Dick Sears and Brian Campion, along with state representatives Linda Sullivan and Brian Keefe, will be working as Meals on Wheels volunteers, traveling the back roads and side streets of the county, visiting with older residents who rely on the program, almost half of whom are miltary veterans or their spouses.

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc(NASDAQ:CWST), a regional solid waste management company based in Rutland, today reported its financial results for the three- and 12-month periods ended December31, 2016.Revenues were $143.8 million for the fourth quarter, up $3.8 million, or 2.7 percent, from the same period in 2015. Revenues were $565million for fiscal year 2016, up $18.5 million, or 3.4 percent, from fiscal year 2015. Net loss was $(12.0) million for the quarter, down$(5.0) million, or 70.6 percent, from the same period in 2015. Net loss was $(6.9) million for the fiscal year, up$4.9 million, or 41.8 percent, from fiscal year 2015.

Shares were up today, at $12.09, near their 52-week high ($5.67 - $13.41), achieved last December.

Vermont Business Magazine FairPoint Communications, Inc (FRP), Vermont's largest communications provider based in North Carolina, announced today that it will hold a special meeting of stockholders to approve the proposed merger with Illinois-based Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (CNSL). The special meeting will be held on March 28, 2017 at 11 am ET at The Westin Charlotte, 601 South College Street, Charlotte, North Carolina. FairPoint Communications’ stockholders of record at the close of business on February17, 2017, the record date for the special meeting, will be entitled to receive notice of the special meeting and to vote their shares of common stock at the special meeting.

Vermont Business Magazine Ice cream lovers, mark your calendar and set a reminder! OnApril 4ice cream company Ben & Jerry's is another year older andyouget to celebrate.Scoops of Ben & Jerry's delectable Fairtrade ice cream, filled with chunks and swirls, will be offered free at locations around the world as a "thank you" to the company's dedicated fans.