Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Aaron Septic and Drain, LLC, a commercial waste hauler based in Arlington, is now required to pay a penalty of $15,000 for commercially hauling solid waste and sewage without a state permit. The final court decision was announced today by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Hauling permits are required for anyone intending to commercially transport trash, food waste, septage or sewage, recyclables, or regulated quantities of hazardous waste materials within the state. The permitting process is an important tool for maintaining public health and safety because it holds waste transporters accountable for practicing safe and environmentally sound transportation methods, and delivering waste materials to appropriate destinations. Aaron Septic and Drain, LLC, had been operating without a permit since 2011.

Vermont Business Magazine A new slate of elected officers will serve in leadership positions on the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) Board of Directors. "VEDA's Board is comprised of experienced and dedicated professionals," said Jo Bradley, VEDA's Chief Executive Officer. "We deeply appreciate their work in helping to advance the Authority's economic development mission." 

by Mike Smith Vermonters have waited patiently for almost nine months now — an exceedingly long period of time, according to some — for Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell to conclude his investigation into the scandal-plagued EB-5 program. It is the hope of many that it will be then that Sorrell releases pertinent state government emails he seized during his probe. Releasing these emails on a timely basis is important because they could shed light on what may have gone awry with the ongoing EB-5 program, including what obscured the view of state officials — or influenced their actions — in regard to this troubled program. Such information is crucial to an incoming administration because it helps them protect Vermonters from similar events. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Senate Saturday unanimously passed long-awaited legislation authored by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to facilitate travel and commerce between the United States and Canada, the largest US trading partner.

Passage of the bill Saturday morning was one of the last actions of the Senate of this congressional session. The legislation, which will now go to the President’s desk to be signed into law, is needed to facilitate air travel – and eventually, passenger rail service – between Burlington and Canadian cities, and between other U.S. and Canadian destinations.

In March, Leahy introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act. The bill paves the way for expansion of preclearance facilities, operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, at land, rail, marine and air ports of departure in Canada, easing travel and commerce between the two countries.

Vermont Business Magazine On December 12, 2016 Vermont State Police arrested Stephen Silva, 45, of Springfield, Massachusetts.  Police received information over the weekend that Silva may have been involved in the bank robbery.  On December 12, police searched Silva's motel room and the vehicle he had been driving.  Evidence of the bank robbery, including clothing worn at the time, was recovered.

The vehicle Silva had been operating was determined to have been stolen out of Massachusetts.  The Connecticut registration plate on the vehicle was also determined to have been stolen.

Hartford Police Department personnel assisted in the investigation. Silva will currently face charges of Robbery, Aggravated Operation without Owner's Consent, and Possession of Stolen Property.

Vermont Business Magazine Phoenix Books is taking a stand against hunger this holiday season by matching customer donations - up to $5,000 - to the Vermont Foodbank between Thanksgiving and December 24th. The company - which has locations in Essex, Burlington, Rutland and Chester - has embarked on a year-long partnership with the Vermont Foodbank to raise at least $25,000 through a series of fundraisers. This matching program for December is the first of multiple events planned in partnership with Phoenix Books and Vermont Foodbank. The match is dollar for dollar so the more the community donates through Phoenix Books the more money raised for the Vermont Foodbank.

Vermont Business Magazine With the election over, it is time to contemplate the consequences of our political actions. At the 22^nd Annual Meeting of the Addison County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC), keynote speakers Matt Dickinson and Peter Matthews of Middlebury College discussed the political and economic impact of the recent elections on our state and nation. They focused on the impact of populism, the distrust of institutions and the role of the media. Matt Dickinson is a Professor of Political Science and Peter Matthews is a Professor of Economics at the College.

Vermont Business Magazine Shadow Productions and Shadow Associates in Behavior Change are proud to welcome Mary Catherine Jones as a producer and researcher. In the role of producer for Shadow Productions, Jones works with clients, directs talent, and produces both audio and video marketing materials for a variety of local and regional clients. As a researcher for Shadow Associates in Behavior Change (Shadow ABC), Jones will rely on her background in social psychology and her extensive community contacts to organize and conduct qualitative and quantitative research in the areas of health, energy, and environmental communication.

Vermont Business Magazine Last week Gayle Oberg of Little River Realty in Stowe was out touring homes in Washington and Chittenden Counties. Not unusual for a real estate professional with Gayle’s experience and clientele. What make this particular Thursday unusual is she was accompanied by 17 real estate professionals from Japan. The Japanese Realtors were visiting the US from Japan to attend the annual meeting of the National Associations of Realtors Convention in Orlando Florida.

Vermont Business Magazine During the 2016 Shop for Miracles Campaign, New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU) staff and members contributed $7,153.75 to benefit the University of Vermont Medical Center Children’s Hospital. According to Jackie Woodwell, UVM Medical Center Foundation Event Specialist, “Donations from partners like NEFCU fund critical treatments and healthcare services, providing our pediatric patients with the most advanced child-friendly, family-centered quality care in Vermont and northern New York. Contributions like these also support special activities like art and play providing additional comfort when families need it most.”

Left: Jackie Woodwell, Event Specialist, The University of Vermont Medical Center Foundation;  Cindy Morgan, Senior Marketing Executive, NEFCU

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Teddy Bear Company has donated two of its 3’ “Big Bears” for tonight’s Norwich/St. Michael’s men’s hockey game, taking place at Kreitzberg Arena at 7pm. “Many of our employees at Vermont Teddy Bear – including myself – have children who play hockey,” says Bill Shouldice, CEO of Vermont Teddy Bear Company. “It takes a lot of time, energy and money to keep up with the sport, and we are excited to help support the Norwich Men’s and Women’s hockey teams and their community endeavors.”

Vermont Business Magazine Main Street Alliance of Vermont held their year-end celebration at the Alchemist Brewery on Sunday night where they awarded, Stephanie Hainely, COO of White + Burke, it’s 2016 Business of the Year award, and Speaker Shap Smith and Senator Philip Baruth were recognized as Legislators of the Year in a Year-End Celebration hosted by The Alchemist.

“Steph has led and directed our team as we created this organization and made a place for ourselves in this state,” said Jen Kimmich, MSA-VT Board Chair and co-wner of The Alchemist, “Her vision and her work helped to give structure to an idea that we all shared.”