Current News

Vermont Business MagazineVermont Fish & Wildlife has announced that two fish caught in 2016 have been certified as new state records, marking the 14th and 15th state records that have been set for individual species of fish since 2010. John Konya of Bradford caught a new record bluegill in August while fishing with a nightcrawler and silver spinner on Miller Pond in West Fairlee. The fish weighed 1.98 pounds, measured 12.25 inches long and had a girth of 12.5 inches. Konya's bluegill bested the previous record bluegill which was caught in Lake Champlain in 2008 and weighed 1.93 pounds.

Joseph Whalen Jrlanded the new Vermont record freshwater drum. F&W photo.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont state law requires that ice fishing shanties be removed from the ice before the ice weakens, according the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.The name and address of the owner must be on the ice shanty, and the shanty must be removed before the ice becomes unsafe or loses its ability to support the shanty out of the water, or before the last Sunday in March -- the 26th this year -- whichever comes first. All contents, debris, wood, and supports must also be removed so they do not become a hazard to navigation in the spring.

The fine for leaving your ice fishing shanty on the ice can be $1,000, and shanties may not be left at state fishing access areas.District game wardens are available for questions via the Vermont State Police radio dispatcher.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain United Way was recently awarded a $20,000 grant by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to expand Working Bridges in the Central Vermont and Northeast Kingdom regions. Working Bridges fosters the shared understanding that barriers such as childcare, reliable transportation and acute need for emergency financial assistance get in the way of continuous employment and derail good employees.

Vermont Business MagazineVermont State Treasurer Beth Pearce announced today that Vermonters with disabilities can now start saving and investing in tax-advantaged VermontABLE accounts, making Vermont one of only a handful of states to offer a plan since President Obama signed the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act into law in December 2014.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Air National Guard has announced that Airmen and aircraft from theGuard's 158th Fighter Wing are returning home this afternoon after a three month deployment insupport ofOperation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria.A squadron of F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 134th Fighter Squadron and approximately 25Airmen from the wing will be returning home to Vermont Wednesdayaround12:30 pm. The F-16s will arrive around12:30 pmwith the approximately 25 Airmen arriving around3pm.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has approved $7.1 million in economic development financings, supporting manufacturing, agricultural, energy and small business projects throughout Vermont. Among the projects included are: a $1.5 million loan to Chroma Technology Corporation; loans totaling $999,400 for Olivia's Crouton Company; financing of $294,176 for Rhino Foods; financing of $128,500 for Flex-A-Seal, Inc; and $691,018 to partially finance the purchase of five turnkey solar projects totaling 484 kW for Bove Brothers.

"VEDA is pleased to be making financing investments in Vermont's manufacturing sector, where new jobs for Vermonters will be created," said VEDA Chief Executive Officer Jo Bradley. "In addition, the Authority is pleased to provide financing to help start-up businesses grow, farmers strengthen their operations, and sustainable energy projects go forward."

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott declared the week of February 19 as Engineering Week in Vermont. The week is designated to recognize both practicing and aspiring engineers, and the value of scientific and technical skills to help move industry, society and the economy forward. “Engineers are problem solvers, and crucial to strengthening the economy, making Vermont more affordable, and protecting our most vulnerable,” said Gov. Scott. “Supporting education and training in traditional technical trades and the industries of the future is vital to growing our economy, and I believe focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is a critical part of building a strong workforce and creating greater opportunities for Vermonters.”

Vermont Business Magazine Youth marketing agency and Burlington-based Fuse has been looking at trends marketers should plan for in 2017. During the last 18 months, Fuse has observed the increased importance that Millennials are placing on knowing the "politics" of the brands they buy. In addition to its history, product attributes, and community involvement, young consumers want to understand where a brand stands on political issues, making politics a new factor in a brand's DNA.

BRAND DNA

Our consumer study this month produced some surprising results and indicate Millennials and older Gen Z consider a brand's politics as more than just a simple litmus test to determine what to buy.

Vermont Business MagazineSouth Burlington-based Dynapower, the global leader in energy storage inverters, and Intertek, a leading provider of quality solutions to industries worldwide, have jointly announced that Dynapower’sMPS-250is the first storage-only energy inverter to be confirmed by Intertek to meet the UL 1741 SA draft requirements for a “smart” inverter.

by Rob Roper Vermont has been actively expanding taxpayer funded universal Pre-K since 2007 (Act 62). The claims back then and the claims today haven’t changed. Advocates promise that in the long run, these programs will prove great for kids and taxpayers! But ten years later, as we’re looking at an even more dramatic and expensive expansion of these programs, we have to ask if what we’ve done so far has lived up to the hype.

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, February 4th, 26 employees of Merchants Bank joined over 1,200 enthusiastic individuals at the Burlington Waterfront, to partake in the Penguin Plunge. The event rose over $540,000 for Special Olympics Vermont athletes. The Penguin Plunge has become a highly anticipated staple of winter in Vermont and is widely recognized as a fun team building exercise for hundreds of families, schools, and businesses.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Emily Boedecker as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Riley Allen as deputy commissioner of the Department of Public Service.“I’m excited to have both Emily and Riley join our team, as they will both be dedicated public servants, and are committed to the missions of their respective departments and my goals to grow the economy, make Vermont more affordable and protect the most vulnerable,” said Governor Scott. “Emily’s managerial experience and ability to bring together multiple stakeholders to work towards common goals will be a tremendous asset to DEC, and Riley’s experience analyzing and advising on a wide range of power sector and regulatory issues will serve Vermonters well.”