Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Vermont’s Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (GCEPD) announced the employer award recipients for the “Spirit of the ADA” Awards. The Vermont “Spirit of the ADA” Award is given to employers who reflect the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act in their employment practices. Adam Leonard, Director of Human Resources for the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center, is to receive the Spirit of the ADA Award on Wednesday, October 12th at 1 pm at the Sheraton. 

Successfully meeting any of the following criteria qualifies employers for eligibility to be nominated:

Vermont Business Magazine The first weekend of October will see a transformation of downtown Bethel into a more walkable area with pop-up shops that highlight its unique culture and assets, public spaces and public art that show off the natural beauty of the area, and improved transportation options for bike riders and pedestrians. Among the installations will be pop-up storefronts and a beer garden, a pocket park, buffered bike lane, street beautification, improved crosswalks, and designated transit stops – all along the town’s Main Street. AARP Vermont is teaming with the Bethel Revitalization Initiative (BRI) and Team Better Block to coordinate efforts. A team of local volunteers and stakeholders will be matched with specific tasks to create the new spaces, and workshops will be held through BRI’s Bethel University to further engage community members and leaders.

Ethan Allen Institute All summer long, VPIRG interns have been knocking on doors, selling Vermonters on the vague idea a “carbon pricing” scheme for our state. These short presentations are misleading people about what is at stake if Vermont were to actually pass a Carbon Tax (a more accurate term that the VPIRG people avoid). The VPIRG doorstep presentations do not inform citizens that implementing the carbon tax in Vermont as they propose will add 88¢ to every gallon of gasoline purchased, $1.02 to every gallon of home heating oil or diesel, and 58¢ for propane and natural gas. Instead, they misleadingly promise that the tax will be levied on out-of-state “big oil” types, without disclosing the fact that these costs will be passed along to you the consumer.

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University of Vermont The University of Vermont, as an educational institution, vigorously supports freedom of inquiry and expression within the academic community and promotes a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for all members of our community. With these twin goals in mind, the flag was displayed in accordance with University established procedures. First Amendment freedoms protect speech and ideas, including controversial ideas, differing perspectives, and contentious viewpoints.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos has announced Vermont's Elections Division has been ranked as the nation's most accessible. This is the second year in a row Vermont has been ranked #1 in the State Election Agency Report produced by Ballotpedia, a nonpartisan online encyclopedia of American politics and elections. The annual report measures state election agencies in terms of their ease of access, quality of information, and response speed. Vermont topped the list and was awarded a total of 49 out of 50 possible points, the highest of any state.

View the full report HERE.

Vermont Business Magazine The Brattleboro Retreat has appointed two new trustees, Kate O’Connor and Adam Grinold, who officially joined the hospital’s board of directors on Friday, September 23. Brattleboro resident Kate O’Connor currently serves as the executive director of the Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce and the vice chair of the Brattleboro Select Board. She began her career in public service as an aide to former Vermont Gov. Madeleine Kunin.  For fourteen years she was a top policy and political advisor to Howard Dean during his tenure as Vermont governor and as a candidate for US President.

by John McClaughry Four months from now the 2017 legislature will hear the new Governor’s budget message for FY 2017. Each fiscal year over the past five the legislature has been presented with an opening General Fund deficit projection. Each year, by hook and crook (including a host of tax increases and aggressive fund robbing) the governor and legislature have managed to produce an arguably balanced budget.

To Shumlin’s credit, he did not sign laws to increase income tax rates or sales tax rates. He did, however, sign laws that increased the residential school property tax rate no less than five times, and also laws that raised taxes on hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, insurance claims, use value property transfer, and liquor and cigarette sales.

Vermont Business Magazine A rainbow-colored crosswalk connecting the Champlain College campus will be installed on South Willard Street on Wednesday, Sept. 28 to both serve as a symbol of inclusiveness and to make the busy crosswalk safer for students and neighbors. Champlain President Donald J Laackman will be on hand for some brief remarks and to kick off the painting of the crosswalk with students.

Rainbow crosswalk at Champlain College with Mayor Weinberger and President Laackman, right.

The bright multi-colored crosswalk will address the need to create a more visible signal to motorists traveling on South Willard Street since it is one of the busiest crossings on campus

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Public Service today released a public review draft of the energy planning determination standards and recommendations called for in Act 174, the Energy Development Improvement Act. The Department is due to issue final standards and recommendations by November 1. The public is encouraged to review and comment on the draft standards and recommendations through October 20. In addition, the Department will host a public hearing to present the draft standards and gather feedback in Randolph on October 11. Along with the expected expansion of solar and biogas for energy, the plan encourages expansion of in-state wind energy and conversion of fossil fuel heating systems to wood.

Vermont Business Magazine Surrounded by employees at the Twincraft Skincare’s liquids manufacturing facility today in Essex Junction, Sue Minter unveiled more details on her InnovateVT economic plan. InnovateVT focuses on growing four key sectors of the Vermont economy: clean energy and efficiency, farm and forest production, the tech industry, and next generation manufacturing. Minter’s announcement today focused on growing next generation manufacturing.

Vermont Business Magazine Community Capital of Vermont (CCVT), a statewide, nonprofit community-based lending organization that provides loans to underserved businesspeople and new entrepreneurs, has named Carol Lighthall as its incoming executive director. Karen Winchell, President of the CCVT Board of Directors, said that Lighthall was selected for her focus on entrepreneurs and their needs, ability to interpret and share information, leadership skills, and her personable, inclusive, and articulate nature.

Carol Lighthall, Executive Director, Community Capital of Vermont

Vermont Business Magazine today announced the winners of its Rising Stars recognition award. The list is comprised of 40 winners under the age of 40. Award recipients were selected by a panel of judges for their commitment to business growth, professional excellence and involvement in their communities. Vermont Business Magazine will honor Vermont's most accomplished young leaders at the Rising Stars dinner on November 10th. The dinner will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in South Burlington. The honorees will also be featured in the November issue of Vermont Business Magazine.