Current News

Vermont Business MagazineThe Vermont Air National Guard confirmed today that Airmen and aircraft from the Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing are returning home after a three month deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in the Middle East. Approximately, 300 Airmen from the wing will be returning home to Vermont by the end of February. While deployed, the Green Mountain Boys provided air-to-ground attacks to support operations against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

Vermont Business Magazine FreshTracks Capital III, LPhas further investedin Burlington-based THINKMD, a registered Vermont Benefit Corporation. THINKMD is a global healthcare innovation company founded by University of Vermont Medical Center pediatricians Barry Finette and Barry Heath. THINKMD’s first product, MEDSINC, is a point-of-care clinical assessment tool that enables a minimally-skilled user to gather patient information, assess the severity of an illness, and provide approved triage and treatment recommendations.

MEDSINC increases healthcare capacity by empowering users worldwide to play a more active role in the healthcare of those they serve.The platform has been tested alongside world-class partners on four continents and will soon be deployed in the company’s first commercial rollout.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott declared Wednesday, February 15 as Recovery Day in Vermont, recognizing those who experience the effects of mental illness, addictions, and co-occurring conditions in the state and nationwide. “It is my honor to proclaim today Recovery Day. Thanks to the efforts of People Education Advocacy and Recovery (PEAR), this day serves as an important reminder that recovery is possible and recognizes Vermonters in recovery and their vast support networks,” said Gov. Scott. “It is my hope that we continue to make progress and see more and more people in recovery at this event each year.”

Scott signed a proclamation that was presented at the State House Wednesday, following in the tradition of Governors Jim Douglas and Peter Shumlin in commemorating Recovery Day in years past.

Vermont Business Magazine CFA Society Vermont has announced that Champlain College has won the first CFA Institute Research Challenge in Vermont and now advances to the Americas Regional in Seattle, WA, on April 6 and 7, where it will compete against universities from the United States, Canada and Latin America. The Champlain College team consists of Zhomart Dairov, Shawn Leary, Victoria Morelli, Kyle Sherman and Adam Vernali.

Vermont Business MagazineA consortium of programs treating torture survivors that includes an initiative launched at the University of Vermont has received the 2017 Human Rights Award from the American Psychiatric Association. The award was given to the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs (NCTTP). The New England Survivors of Torture and Trauma (NESTT), a member of the consortium, has its roots at UVM.

Vermont Business Magazine The cost of materials and services used in construction rose markedly faster than the price of completed buildings, according to a new analysis of federal producer price data released Tuesday by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that potential restrictions on the use of imported construction materials threaten to drive up the price of infrastructure, buildings and new homes and apartments.

by Cathleen Lamberton, Executive Vice President, Associated General Contractors of Vermont We have an aging workforce in Vermont and a student population that is confused by the choice to pursue a traditional college education or prepare for a career in the trades. It’s a fact: businesses across the state lack trained employees to fill good paying jobs. We can build a better Vermont by utilizing the skills and talents of our youth while improving our workforce to ensure good paying jobs and companies remain in Vermont. This needs to be the focus of everyone in the state, as this is how we will grow our economy and employ Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and members of his senior staff and cabinet will travel to Quebec City today for the governor’s first official meetings with their counterparts in Quebec, Vermont’s largest trade partner. Scott will also meet with several businesses with current and prospective ties to Vermont.

“A strong collaboration and partnership with Quebec is essential to strengthening Vermont’s economy, security and environment, so it was important to visit the province early in my term, along with members of my team, to meet my counterpart and discuss how we can work together in support of shared goals,” Scott said.

The trip will include meetings with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard and multiple members of his Cabinet, as well as business and industry groups in the Province. Scott and Premier Couillard will host a joint press conference onWednesday, February 15 at 3 pmat theÉdifice-Honoré Mercier, Premier’s Office.

Vermont Business Magazine South Burlington-based PC Construction, among the nation’s largest employee-owned construction companies, announced today that it has opened its second Florida office, located in Pompano Beach at 1100 Park Central Boulevard South. This office, combined with the Coral Gables office opened in 2015, will supplement the company’s construction operations in Florida and provide additional support for clients and partners. Five new team members are now based in the Pompano Beach office and provide key estimating and operations support functions for Florida projects.

PC Construction’s Florida operations dates back over 20 years and primarily encompasses work in the water and wastewater treatment industry with a significant emphasis on design-build delivery.

Vermont Business Magazine Merchants Bank and Merchants Bank’s customers around Chittenden County donated hundreds of items to the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) at the end of 2016, along with a check for $1,250. The Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) is the largest service provider for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in Vermont. COTS offers emergency shelter, prevention assistance, support services, and transitional and permanent housing for those who are homeless and marginally housed.

Vermont Business Magazine More than 400 mothers skied at Vermont’s Bromley Mountain in Peru on Friday, February 3 to support the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center in Bennington, part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC). Each received a $20 lift ticket when they presented a photo of their children at the resort’s ticket window. SVHC’s President and CEO Thomas A. Dee, FACHE; Vice President for Corporate Development Leslie Keefe; Cancer Center Nurse Manager Jennifer Coutu; and Breast Health Navigator Rebecca Hewson-Steller attended. The first 100 participants received an SVHC gift bag. All ticket revenue, a total of $8,140, was donated to the Cancer Center.

Vermont Drug Task Force On February 14, 2017, 26 individuals were arrested in Orleans County for various offenses related to heroin and opiate trafficking. These arrests stem from an ongoing investigation established by the Vermont Drug Task Force in cooperation with the Vermont State Police, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Newport City Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont and the Orleans County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Vermont Attorney General’s Office. Over the course of seven months the Vermont Drug Task Force conducted multiple drug investigations focusing on heroin and opioids. The investigations were in response to multiple opiate related overdoses in Orleans County.