Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Sue Minter for governor campaign is fighting back against an ad from the national Republican Governors Association that went on air yesterday with what the campaign says is a misleading attack ad against the Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

Vermont Business Magazine The Republican Governors Association launched a new digital campaign today in the Vermont governor’s race, detailing what it calls Sue Minter’s support for the failed policies of her mentor Peter Shumlin. This digital campaign is housed at MintersMentor.com and will highlight news, research and insight regarding what it says is Minter’s support for the same bad policies as her mentor’s, Governor Peter Shumlin. The RGA also created @MintersMentor on Twitter as part of the campaign, as the national stakes in Vermont's gubernatorial race heat up.  Democrat Minter is facing Republican Phil Scott.

Vermont Business Magazine Frequent storms across the northeastern United States, including Vermont, this winter may lead to an above-normal season for snowfall, according to the AccuWeather Global Weather Center. Unlike last season, in which most of winter's snowfall came from a few heavy-hitting storms, this winter will last into the early or middle part of spring and will feature frequent snow events, the weather service forecasts.

Vermont Business Magazine Clean, renewable energy is now powering BioTek Instruments. The company’s headquarters and manufacturing plant in Winooski will receive power from their new five-acre photovoltaic solar energy farm in Whiting, Vermont. The solar farm has a maximum capacity of up to 500 kilowatts, and was designed and installed by Norris Brothers Solar Development, LLC.

BioTek Vice President Adam Alpert said that the renewable energy source is expected to provide 100% of the company’s annual electricity consumption, adding that “BioTek is very proud to invest in a clean energy future for Vermont. The resulting energy savings will help to make us a stronger company while assuring a safer, better environment for our employees, their families, and all Vermonters.”

by Travis Belisle As a long-time community-minded local businessman whose family businesses have been employing fellow Vermonters for decades, doing the right thing for the environment and the Vermont economy is not new to me. In the 1990s, when my family built up Sticks and Stuff, a local chain of hardware and building supply stores, we found a greener way to run our business’ truck fleet. By producing renewable, clean-burning biodiesel from used cooking oil from local restaurants, we saved on fuel costs, we helped local restaurants save on waste disposal, and we reduced air pollution.

Recently, my family took another step to contribute to Vermont’s clean energy economy when we filed for approval for a wind energy project on the hill behind our Swanton home.

Swanton Wind will produce enough renewable energy to meet the electrical needs of more than 7,300 average Vermont households annually.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Peter Welch said in a joint statement today: “We learned this morning that the City of Rutland will receive refugees who have fled the relentless violence in Syria and Iraq, sometimes with just the clothes on their backs.

Vermont Business Magazine US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.4 million grant to the city of Burlington to help restore, redevelop, and enhance resiliency of the Moran Plant, a former Municipal Electric Generating Station and nationally recognized historic site. The federal funding would help ensure that the ground-level space, with its vaulted ceiling heights, would be flood proof and available for use, maximizing the potential economic benefits of any redevelopment project.  The funds require a one-to-one match and are restricted from being used for demolition. Part of the EDA grant agreement with the city will require a feasible development agreement before any federal funds can be expended.

Vermont Business Magazine The City of Burlington wants to use waste heat from several major sources around town, which otherwise would be vented into the atmosphere, and use it to heat buildings and create hot water. Mayor Miro Weinberger today at a news conference outside the Burlington Town Center announced the formation of a unique City partnership with institutions, utilities, district energy advocates, and landowners to bring Burlington the potential for significant energy savings. Through the new partnership, the Burlington Electric Department on behalf of the City, Vermont Gas Systems, the Burlington Town Center, the University of Vermont Medical Center, the University of Vermont, and the Burlington District Energy System together will work with Corix Utilities to explore the potential of creating a district energy system that likely would begin in the downtown and expand to include capturing waste heat from Burlington Electric’s McNeil Generating Station.

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Board of School Commissioners said today that it and the teachers' union (Burlington Education Association) are considering resuming negotiations on a new contract. Talks broke down two weeks ago as the two sides remained narrowly apart on salary increases, with a one percent increase in health insurance obligations. The board on September 15 then imposed a new salary structure on the teachers, which reflected its last offer. The teachers yesterday staged an "informational strike," which included 300 members, supporters and parents. They planned more such non-school time strikes for early Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, but do not have plans at this point for a work stoppage.

Vermont Business Magazine An unpermitted salvage yard operating in Vershire is now required to pay a $29,000 penalty after failing to follow orders to clean-up oil and gasoline spills and wastes on its property. The Agency of Natural Resources announced today the issuance of a Judgment Order against Allen LaFlamme, owner of Allen’s Affordable Auto Salvage in Vershire, for multiple violations of Vermont Salvage Yard and Hazardous Waste laws. LaFlamme must pay a $29,000 penalty and comply with corrective actions.

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center management has confirmed that the agency’s Board of Trustees have approved a two-year contract with Local 1674 of AFSCME Council 93, which represents 723 Howard Center direct care workers, 112 of whom are members of the union. The agency, based in Burlington, employs over 1500 employees. 

Vermont Business Magazine Tourism Commissioner Megan Smith released her October newsletter and fall travel and tourism report today. Along with the foliage report and information on Market Vermont, among other news, Smith talks about how now is also a great time for continuing, or beginning, a partnership with Discover New England (DNE), the nonprofit cooperative destination marketing organization that promotes New England tourism internationally. Working with all six New England states, DNE provides tangible benefits to tourism organizations intent on growing their international business relationships and are excited to share with you this year’s Gold & Silver Partner Programs.