Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont remains in the middle of the pack for bad mortgages as the nation as a whole continues to make significant progress in unwinding from the real estate collapse during the Great Recession of 2008-2009. Vermont, which had a smaller relative level of foreclosures than most of the country, is also more slowly working through the process. As of November (the most recent data available) non-current mortgages in Vermont represented 5.6 percent of all mortgages (US 5.3 percent), while the state's year-to-year reduction was 5.9 percent, compared to the national average of 13.4 percent.

by Mike Smith On a Friday evening, just over a week ago, The Washington Post sent the entire world into a tizzy with claims that Russian hackers had penetrated this country’s electrical grid. The Post reported that it was a Vermont electric utility where hackers found entry to our electrical production and transmission systems. The mere thought of hackers gaining access to our electrical grid is frightening. Industrial, financial, medical and government operations — just to name a few — could be disrupted, or even worse, shut down. It could throw this country, and the world, into chaos.

There was just one problem with the Post story: It was wrong.

Vermont Business MagazineBrattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) has submitted to the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) a Certificate of Need (CON) application for a Modernization Project. The project includes the construction of a four story building to house replacement forthe three existing operating rooms and support areas, two floors for medical offices, and expansion of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services. The project also includes upgrading the hospital’s power plant.

The components of the Modernization Project were identified in the hospital’s Master Plan, which was adopted by BMH’s Board of Directors in 2009. Over the past two years the Hospital staff and Board worked with architects and engineers to develop plans for the new project. The cost of the project is approximately $22 million.The GMCB and State of Vermont require a CON application for proposed hospital projects costing more than $3 million.

Vermont Business MagazineThe public is invited to offer suggestions to the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission (CVRPC) for transportation planning projects that would benefit Washington County and the towns of Orange, Washington, and Williamstown.CVRPC is asking for help to make getting around easier, safer, and more convenient for everyone by contributing your transportation planning and study ideas.

CVRPC will complete up to $70,000 in transportation special projects and studies using funding from the Vermont Agency of Transportation’s Transportation Planning Initiative. We would appreciate your ideas for projects that would benefit Central Vermont. While our funds cannot be used for construction, our planning helps shape projects for future construction.

Vermont Business MagazineSenator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) issued the following commentFridayafter the release of areporton Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election. Earlier this week, Leahy joined other Democratic Senators inintroducing legislation calling for anindependent, nonpartisan commission to comprehensively investigate the matter.

Vermont Business Magazine NG Advantage LLC, based in Colchester, which is majority owned by Clean Energy Fuels Corp., (NASDAQ: CLNE) has announced it has begun delivering compressed natural gas (CNG) for the first time to customers in the state of Maine. The expansion was made possible through an asset acquisition from Global Partners LP (NYSE: GLP). NG Advantage specializes in transporting CNG to industrial, institutional, and commercial customers who are beyond the reach of a natural gas pipeline, allowing them to realize the economic and environmental benefits of the cleaner burning fuel.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Scott Friday evening announced more appointments to his extended cabinet and key policy directors within his Administration.Michael Snyderhas been reappointedCommissioner of Forest, Parks & Recreation.Jolinda LaClair has been namedDirector of Drug Abuse Prevention.Mary Kate MMohlman, PhD, MS, has been named theDirector of Health Reform.Sam Lincolnof Randolph Center has been appointedDeputy Commissioner of Forests Parks & Recreation.Darwin Thompsonhas been namedCommissioner of Information and Innovation.

“I’m pleased to add each of these talented individuals to my growing team,” said Governor Scott. “My entire cabinet, extended cabinet and senior leadership team is already hard at work for Vermonters, and each of these appointees will be a great addition to our team.”

Vermont Business Magazine When Keurig Green Mountain Inc was bought last year in a blockbuster, $13.9 billion deal by European holding company JAB, it shortly thereafter severed its partnership with Coca Cola to market Keurig Kold, a home-based beverage system. Apparently its thirst for ice cold refreshment has not been slaked. On Friday, Waterbury-based Keurig quietly announced on its Website that it will develop a beer-making system with Budweiser, which also will include a variety of alcoholic drinks.

The Website press release states thatAnheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) and Keurig Green Mountain have entered into a joint venture focused on the research and development of an in-home alcohol drink system.

Vermont Business MagazineJanuary isLearn toSkiand Snowboard Month, and with fresh snow on the ground, Sugarbush Resort is ready to hostPost-9/11 Veterans, Service Members and their Families for a free day of skiing and riding on Sunday, January 8, 2017. The free day of winter fun is made possible through Sugarbush’s ongoing partnership with Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program. Sugarbush will provide equipment (including adaptive ski gear), instructors, lift tickets and lessons for all participants.

Mt Ellen Sugarbush photo

Vermont Business Magazine Bill Shouldice, CEO of Vermont Teddy Bear and Chair of the Vermont Chamber Foundation, unveiled A Vision for Vermont's Economy, a new report from The Vermont Futures Project at the Vermont Economic Conference n Friday morning at the Hilton Burlington. The report by The Vermont Futures Project reflects conversations with nearly 500 Vermonters about the current Vermont economy and what is needed to secure Vermont's economic future.

Vermont Business MagazineWeekly unemployment claims stayed at their post-holiday level as service companies shed short-term workers. Claims also were higher than last year at this time. While Services reported the most claims, Manufacturing doubled for the week to an unusually high 444 claims.

The holidays typically produce wild swings in unemployment claims, because of an increase in hiring in the Service sector, from retail to delivery-related businesses, and then an abrupt round of layoffs.

For the week of December 31, 2016, there were 1,531 claims, down 2 from the previous week's total but 379 more than than they were a year ago (1,152). The previous week's totals were much lower than the previous year, so this could be just a timing lag.

Vermont Business MagazineThe Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says preliminary numbers show 16,160 deer were taken during Vermont's 2016 deer hunting seasons. Reports from big game check stations indicate hunters had successful deer seasons in 2016, taking 3,447 deer in archery season, 1,438 in youth season, 7,725 in rifle season, and 3,550 in muzzleloader season. The 16,160 deer brought home by hunters yielded more than 3 million meals of local nutritious venison.

Youth deer hunting, fish & Wildlife file photo.