Current News

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.

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 29^th at 7:15 p.m. EST

TOPIC: Conversation with Vermonters about new Congress and President

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.

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.

by Robert Macauley, MD This is the time of year for conflicting messages. One day we’re eating turkey with family and friends, giving thanks for all that is good in our lives. The very next day, though, we’re bombarded with ads for all the things we don’t have. It’s tempting to move on quickly — some Black Friday sales actually begin on Thanksgiving itself! — but in doing so we’d miss the opportunity to deepen our sense of gratitude, and improve our health, too.

"Thanks are the highest form of thought, and … gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” — GK Chesterton

by Nancy Stearns Bercaw UVM More than two million Americans experience some type of a cardiac event every year. Whether they’ve had a heart attack or coronary revascularization procedure, such as bypass surgery or coronary stent placement, doctors typically recommended these patients participate in Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) as outpatients. However, despite the proven benefits of increased longevity and reduced hospitalizations with CR, only 20 to 30 percent of eligible patients actually participate.

Philip Ades, MD (Photo: Larner COM Design & Photography)

Why are the rates for this comprehensive secondary prevention program so low?  And how can they be improved?

by Governor Peter Shumlin One of the key responsibilities of governing is crafting a budget that reflects Vermonters’ priorities and lives within our means as a state. As we transition this important responsibility to the incoming Administration, it’s worth reviewing the last six years of financial management. Let’s remember where we started. Before I took office, Vermont’s budget routinely grew at upwards of 7 percent. In 2004, the total funds budget grew by 7.8 percent above the year before. In 2005, it grew by 13.4 percent. In 2006 it grew by 7 percent. Then the Great Recession hit, decimating state budgets, just as it did family budgets, around America. Because of that economic contraction, the first budget I inherited as Governor included a $176 million shortfall. Six years later, by practicing fiscal discipline and making difficult choices, we have righted the ship.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police is receiving numerous reports of icy road conditions throughout central and eastern Vermont, particularly on Interstate 89 between Middlesex and Berlin, and on Interstate 91 south of St. Johnsbury.  Troopers are responding to multiple reports of crashes and other vehicles off the roadways. Traffic was at a stand-still on Interstate 89 near exit 8 (Montpelier) due to icy conditions about 8:30 am, both north and southbound lanes.

Also, State Police in the St Johnsbury area want to reinforce that road conditions presently pose a significant hazard for travel. Roads throughout the surrounding area are very icy and slick. State Police have responded to numerous motor vehicle accidents. Also, motorists have found themselves stranded awaiting road treatment before being able to proceed with their trip. The public is encouraged to remain at their home or business and avoid travel unless an emergency arises.

by Bill Schubart I’ve tuned out of the endless forensic analyses of how news media failed the electorate. In fact, other than having misread the political and cultural pulse of many Americans, I’m not sure the serious news organizations failed us at all. Many of us were just absent. Watching a Trump supporter on the PBS Evening News say that she’d liked the idea of a woman in the White House until she learned from her sister’s Facebook page that five people Hillary knew had recently been murdered, I was curious about the news item and found its source in an article in the The Guardian.

Vermont Business Magazine Patients’ needs and a growing emphasis on population health prompted an expansion to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center’s (SVMC) Diabetes Education Program over the last several months. The addition of a third full-time Certified Diabetes Educator allows the hospital to offer prevention education and specialized diabetes consultations for patients, nurses, and physicians in primary care offices, some hospital practices and departments, inpatient units, and at the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation.

by Courtney Harkins US Ski and Snowboard Association In front of a huge hometown crowd and her entire family, Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) shone under pressure to win the Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom at Vermont’s Killington Mountain. Shiffrin’s win capped off a successful weekend in the east coast that will impact ski racing for decades to come. Shiffrin is the reigning Olympic slalom champion who skied at the Burke Mountain Academy. More than 30,000 fans took in a weekend of world class skiing.

Vermont Business Magazine Allegiant Airlines will discontinue service between Burlington International Airport (BTV) and Orlando next year, but BTV has secured a long-term contract with the other airlines serving the airport. BTV has been working over the past 12 months with all airlines serving the airport to establish a new contract agreement. Today, the airport announced that the long-serving airlines of BTV have agreed to the terms of the new, five year lease, and the airport expects to have the contract fully signed by the end of the year. The airport has not had a signed airline lease for approximately 20 years. The current agreement between airport and airlines is strictly a month-to-month contract.  A summary of the new, five year lease can be found below.