Current News

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Vermont Business Magazine Rutland’s oldest ‘sleep shop,’ Vermont Bedrooms, has joined the city’s rooftop revolution by going solar. Business owners Bill and Rob Beanland worked with SunCommon of Waterbury to install a 73-panel solar array on the roof of their 32-year-old business. Vermont Bedrooms chose solar as a means to cut costs and strengthen their business by generating clean energy on-site.

“Going solar is a conversation starter with our customers,” said Bill Beanland, co-owner of Vermont Bedrooms. “Vermonters that are excited or curious about solar will be more likely to walk into our business. Our rooftop array is very visible and shows our commitment to producing our own local, clean energy. That sort of exposure is tremendous.”

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Vermont Business Magazine Applications are now being accepted for the 2017 Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence. The annual award honors the actions taken by Vermonters to conserve and protect natural resources, prevent pollution and promote sustainability.

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Vermont Business Magazine Governor-elect Phil Scott today issued the following statement in response to the news that Senator William “Bill” Doyle will not seek a recount against Senator-elect Francis Brooks in the Washington County Senate race.

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Vermont Business Magazine Today the VSCS Board of Trustees voted to name the unified Johnson State College and Lyndon State College “Northern Vermont University” - NVU - with campuses at both Johnson and Lyndon. The two colleges will officially unify and adopt the new name July 1, 2018.  At that point each campus will be known as either “Northern Vermont University-Lyndon” or “Northern Vermont University-Johnson.” 

“Unification will retain our campuses and open new doors of opportunity for students in a larger, stronger university.  The unified university will have an important impact on the regional economy and communities.  The name ‘Northern Vermont University-Johnson and Northern Vermont University-Lyndon’ reflects those aspirations,” said Board Chair Martha O’Connor.

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Statement by Washington County Senator Bill Doyle: For the last 48 years, it has been my great privilege to serve the residents of the State of Vermont as one of the State Senators from Washington County.  I worked closely with seven governors and hundreds of fellow legislators as we tried as best we could to steer our government to meet the ever changing needs of Vermonters and the state we love.  

Senator Bill Doyle in 2015.

On election night this year, the initial results indicated that I had fallen short in my effort to return to the Senate for another term, which would have rounded out a half century of service.   

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Vermont Business Magazine The American Lung Association of the Northeast stood with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for its announcement today that will require all public housing agencies to go smokefree. This rule will protect two million Americans, across the country, from exposure to secondhand smoke in their homes. This includes those most vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke, including 760,000 children and more than 300,000 adults over the age of 62. The policies apply to residential units as well as common areas.

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Vermont Business Magazine It was announced by the Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB), one of the largest Federally Qualified Health Centers in Vermont, that their Keeler Bay Health Center in South Hero is now operating under a new name and from a newly-constructed building, just down the road from the prior site. Their Champlain Islands Health Center is located at 260 Route 2 in South Hero. A free Open House event will be held this Saturday, December 3, 2016. Community members are welcome and encouraged to attend anytime from 10am-2pm.

CHCB has also recently welcomed Dr. Jun Fu to the existing provider team at the Champlain Islands Health Center. Dr. Fu graduated from China Medical University and also has a Master’s Degree in Science from McGill University. She completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at Mount Vernon Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Dr. Fu is currently accepting new adult patients.

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Vermont Business Magazine The Grossman School of Business at the University of Vermont honored three family businesses for excellence in the areas of entrepreneurship, and innovation at the UVM Family Business Awards on October 13 in Billings Library. As recognition that family businesses are a major driver in the world economy has increased, the UVM Grossman School of Business recognizes every year those alumni and Vermont based businesses that have achieved lasting success, and demonstrated a commitment to creating sustainable business through leadership and vision.

This year’s honorees, recognized for their ability to overcome challenging succession issues and for contributions to community and industry, included a health and wellness company, a newspaper and market research organization. 

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by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine The state’s largest utility has partnered with the state’s largest manufacturer to develop the state’s largest solar energy array. Vermont’s newest solar farm is now generating electricity in Williston. Owned by Green Mountain Power and located on GlobalFoundries property, the sprawling facility off Mountain View Drive will generate more than 8 million kilowatt hours every year, or the equivalent energy to power more than 1,100 homes.

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Vermont Business Magazine As President-elect Donald Trump and a new Congress prepare to take office in January, Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) will host a live, statewide telephone town hall meeting on Tuesday evening, November 29 at 7:15 pm EST. Welch will outline his agenda and listen to Vermonters’ priorities, hopes, and concerns. Callers will be able to ask Welch questions on the call, which is expected to last one hour.

WHO: Congressman Peter Welch

WHAT: Statewide Telephone Town Hall Meeting

WHEN: TODAY, Tuesday, November 29th at 7:15 p.m. EST

TOPIC: Conversation with Vermonters about new Congress and President

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Vermont Business Magazine Generator, the city-supported maker space currently located in Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, will begin remaking itself in December for its move to a new, larger space in Burlington’s South End. On Nov. 30, Generator will close its doors at Memorial Auditorium and the 170-member creative community will move to its new home on Sears Lane.

Generator’s move to 40 Sears Lane is made possible by an investment in infrastructure improvements from Champlain College and a $300,000 capital campaign led by Generator board members Michael Metz and businessman Steve Conant. “More than 100 individuals, companies and philanthropic organizations contributed toward the campaign’s success, for which Generator and Champlain College are deeply grateful,” explained Generator Chair of the Board Dan Harvey.

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Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin today provided an update on Vermont Health Connect open enrollment and highlighted how Obamacare has provided critical health care and financial security to previously uninsured Vermonters. President-elect Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans, who control both the House and the Senate, have promised to repeal Obamacare. Trump has backed off somewhat since the election and indicated that some aspects of the law, in particular the pre-existing condition waiver and extending benefits to children under 26, might continue under his presidency.