Current News

Vermont Business Magazine VSECU, a credit union based in Montpelier, today announced it has been accepted as a member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), an independent network of values-based banks, banking cooperatives, credit unions, microfinance institutions, and community development banks from across the world. 


VSECU is the first credit union in the US to earn membership in the global organization, joining 35 other financial institutions in a joint commitment to use finance to promote sustainable social, environmental, and economic development. GABV members work together to ensure that banking is a healthy and productive system of society and to develop a positive, viable alternative to the current banking system. 


Vermont Business Magazine Berkshire Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc (NYSE: BHLB) based in Pittsfield, MA, and Ronald N Lazzaro PC, an independent financial planning and investment services firm based in Rutland announced on Monday the completion of an asset purchase transaction on December 2, 2016, and the launch of a strategic combination between the two firms. Under the terms of the transaction, Berkshire Bank acquired the business assets of Ronald N Lazzaro PC, which will expand Berkshire Bank's wealth management and investment services provided in Vermont. Financial terms were not released.

Vermont Business Magazine Champlain College has announced that beginning January 2017 active duty service members, National Guard members and members from Reserve Components of the US Armed Forces, and their spouses and eligible adult dependents now have access to its more than 50 nationally ranked, fully online post-secondary undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates at up to 70 percent off standard tuition through its truED program.

by Seth Blanchard It’s no secret that health care becomes a bigger concern for most of us as we grow older. More ailments are likely to develop, which means more money spent to visit health professionals and buy medication. Even if you remain healthy through your later years, the costs of preventative care and preparing for potential unexpected health situations are rising. Health-related expenses will likely be one of the biggest components of your retirement budget. You need to be prepared to pay for comprehensive insurance coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs for care. Here are three strategies to help you manage this critical expense in retirement.

Understand how Medicare works

Vermont Business Magazine Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD praised the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for its approval this week of a new rule that requires a smoke-free environment in public housing residences. According to the announcement made last week by HUD Secretary Julian Castro, the rule will prohibit "lit tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars or pipes) in all living units, indoor common areas, administrative offices and all outdoor areas within 25 feet of housing and administrative office buildings."

"This is a tremendous step forward in protecting children and people with chronic illnesses like asthma from the harm caused by second-hand smoke," Dr. Chen said.

Vermont Business Magazine Community-based, employee-owned Kinney Drugs continues its partnership with Vermont Health Connect to help inform local communities about their options in the insurance marketplace. Kinney Drugs will host a free event at 308 Shelburne Road in Burlington, to educate the public about their health insurance options on Tuesday, December 6 from 10 am-2 pm.

As part of this event, Vermont Health Connect certified navigators will provide answers to questions about the Marketplace and will help the public find the health plan that is right for them.

“Helping our customers make informed decisions about their health and their healthcare coverage is extremely important to us,” said Jim Spencer, president of Kinney Drugs stores.  “We are pleased to partner with Vermont Health Connect to connect customers with informative and accessible resources about the health insurance options and help them find insurance plans to fit their needs.”

by John McClaughry A lot of serious long-term national issues simply weren’t addressed in the recent national election. That’s not surprising. Issues like the alarming growth of the national debt, the rising consequences of opiate addiction,  and unprecedented changes in demography don’t fit easkily into  political campaigns and their 30 second ads.

One such neglected issue is what the President’s Council on Economic Advisers , in a June report, calls “The Long Term Decline in Prime-Age [25-54] Male Labor Force Participation”. American Enterprise Institute demographer Nicholas Eberstadt offers a more concise title in his new book  “Men Without Work”.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont's largest telecommunications company will be sold to an Illinois firm. Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ: CNSL) announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire FairPoint Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRP), a business and broadband communications provider, in an all-stock merger transaction valued at approximately $1.5 billion, including debt ($887 million), which accounts for more than half the total value of the deal. The agreement and the proposed merger have been unanimously approved by the boards of directors at both companies.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Lisa Ventriss, President of Vermont Business Roundtable (Roundtable) announced the recipient of the 2016 New Medallion Award, which recognizes exceptional school leadership and progress toward the goals inherent in Act 46 of equity, access, and quality of educational experiences for all Vermont students: Rachael Potts, Internship Coordinator and Employment Specialist from Harwood Union High School.

Vermont Business Magazine Dr James N Weinstein, CEO and President of Dartmouth-Hitchcock (D-H) and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health (D-HH) system, will retire from that position at the end of his term, June 30, 2017, Anne-Lee Verville, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Boards Chair, announced today. In a letter to Dartmouth-Hitchcock employees, she said: “The Board of Trustees accepts Jim’s decision with great admiration and appreciation for all he has done during his many years of service to Dartmouth-Hitchcock, not only in his current role, but in past leadership roles including President of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic, Director of The Dartmouth Institute, and the inaugural Chair of the Department of Orthopaedics.”

Vermont Business Magazine KSE Partners, now Leonine Public Affairs, launches its new brand today. KSE Partners, based in Montpelier, has been a leading Vermont premier government relations and public relations firm for nearly 30 years. Now, KSE Partners is retiring its original identity and launching its new look, office space, and name, Leonine Public Affairs.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Teddy Bear Company has revealed that its 4-foot Giant Bear is featured with Oprah Winfrey on the cover of the December issue of O Magazine. The 4-foot Giant Bear has been a best-seller for a number of years and is available at Amazon. Hand-stuffed in Vermont, using 100 percent recycled material, the Giant Bear is a big hit each holiday season, and as year-round gifts for ages 1-100.

“It is such an honor to have our 4-foot Giant Bear featured next to Oprah Winfrey on her magazine,” says Bill Shouldice, CEO. “This is very exciting for all of us at Vermont Teddy Bear.”