Current News

Attorneys and staff of Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC are mourning the loss of Attorney and Director Eric A. Poehlmann, 46, who died this week while hiking in Colorado. 

“We are all deeply saddened to learn of Eric’s untimely death,” said Paul H. Ode Jr., managing partner and chief executive officer at DRM. “Eric was a skilled legal craftsman and one of the firm’s top litigators. He was highly regarded by our clients. He was loved and respected by everyone at the firm. He will be sorely missed.”

Eric A. Poehlmann

Poehlmann joined DRM after graduating from Cornell Law School in 1996. He was named a director in 2005.

Vermont Business Magazine - Senior officials and congressional staff gathered today to commend the City of Barre for a comprehensive project that will limit future flood damages to its downtown businesses and residences, and to commit the support of state and federal agencies to similar projects statewide. The event at City Hall Park came five years after Tropical Storm Irene devastated many communities across Vermont. An  official “Commemoration Day” proclaimed by Governor Peter Shumlin is this Sunday.

Vermont Business Magazine - By Michael Bielawski Vermont Watchdog The 28-turbine Stiles Brook Wind Project proposed by Spanish company Iberdrola Renewables, were it to go forward, would not only be the largest in the state but also the most intrusive.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Teddy Bear Company is donating over 200 Little Hero Bears at this weekend’s Shelburne Volunteer Fire Department 75^th Anniversary celebration. “Our Little Hero Bear program has been in place for over 10 years and is our way of helping first responders across the nation,” says Vermont Teddy Bear Company CEO Bill Shouldice. “It is a unique program and one that we are proud to share with the Shelburne Volunteer Fire Department for their 75^th anniversary.”

The Little Hero Bear program helps children in crisis during emergency events. Every time a Little Hero Bear is purchased, Vermont Teddy Bear donates a second Little Hero Bear to a police department, fire department or rescue squad. These donations ensure that kids get the comfort they need when they need it most: during crisis situations. To date, over 15,000 Little Hero Bears have been donated to first responder units across the country.

Vermont Business Magazine - In the face of a recent spate of heroin overdoses and growing fears that, in addition to fentanyl-laced heroin, a more dangerous version of the drug called carfentanil is poised to move into the state, Gov. Peter Shumlin and Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD announced today that the Department of Health has issued a standing order for the opioid overdose rescue drug naloxone (brand name Narcan®) for all of Vermont. This allows any pharmacy to dispense the life-saving drug to anyone – without a prescription.

In addition, the Governor said he was pleased that Walgreens will begin offering naloxone without a prescription to customers beginning September 1, and has installed a safe medication disposal kiosk in its South Burlington store that allows individuals to safely dispose of unwanted medication year-round at no cost.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University welcomes the largest incoming class in its history this fall with approximately 900 new students. The Class of 2020 brings a strong academic background with average SAT scores of 1040 and an average grade point average of 3.07. Seventy-nine members of the class have received extremely competitive three or four-year ROTC scholarships, and seventeen students will join the Honors Program. On Sunday, Aug 22, Norwich welcomed approximately 600 first year members of the Corps of Cadets, called Rooks, for a week of orientation. On Wednesday, Aug 24, Norwich welcomed approximately 300 civilian students: about 270 residential and 30 commuter students. The first day of class begins on Monday.

Vermont Business Magazine Ingrid Temer, Senior Account Manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, recently presented Howard Center with a $5,000 contribution. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont has a long history of providing support for Howard Center. Their support includes a silver- level sponsorship for Howard Center’s annual Curling Challenge which raised more than $50,000 this past March. In addition, Blue Cross Blue Shield will be a gold-level sponsor for the upcoming Zoe’s Race on August 28, 2016, an annual 1K fun run and 5K walk/run designed to raise funds for Vermont families who are in need of home accessibility modifications for their children.

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) today asked the Food and Drug Administration to answer questions about its approval process and other steps for alternatives to the EpiPen, a self-injectable remedy for severe allergic reactions that has been the subject of steep price increases from Mylan, its manufacturer.  The price increases have caused concern among parents buying EpiPens for their children with severe peanut and other allergies. 

“We are also concerned that the substantial price increase from Mylan could limit access to a much-needed medication,” the senators wrote to Commissioner Robert M. Califf.   “Given the importance of this topic, it is imperative to understand the FDA’s role with respect to EpiPens and its approval of generic equivalents that could help to increase competition and lower prices if introduced.”

FirstLight Fiber, a leading fiber-optic bandwidth infrastructure services provider operating in New York and Northern New England, announced today that Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire (VNH), a non-profit organization dedicated to delivering outstanding home health and hospice services, has chosen FirstLight for the upgrade of its Internetservices in West Lebanon, New Hampshire as well as at its new location in White River Junction, Vermont. As its remote and administrative staff and offices grow, Visiting Nurse and Hospice seeks to utilize FirstLight Internet services for reliable connectivity and impressive broadband capability.

Seventh Generation, a leading household and personal care products company and a pioneer in the eco-friendly products space, today announced the launch of new Free & Clear Laundry Detergent Packs. Safer Choice Certified by the Environmental Protection Agency, the latest innovation from the brand offers consumers a premium biodegradable laundry detergent pack, while continuing the company's mission to encourage ingredient transparency within the industry.

The Vermont Green Line today announced a new partnership with Citizens Energy Corporation to assist low-income Vermont residents with their energy needs.

By becoming an owner in the Vermont Green Line alongside National Grid, Citizens Energy will finance its share of the line and use its profits, in concert with the project partners, to help working families and others in need in Vermont.

Citizens Energy partners with utilities and experienced developers across the country to develop new high-voltage transmission lines. Under its unique model, Citizens Energy’s projects —now including the Vermont Green Line—increase grid reliability, unlock access to large quantities of renewable energy, and fund charitable programs for people living in the area, all at no additional cost to ratepayers.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) has been notified of its selection for two Northeastern Economic Developers Association Awards. The Windham Region Workforce Center of Excellence has been named Program of the Year and the GS Precision Expansion has been named Project of Year.  BDCC will receive these distinguished awards at the upcoming NEDA Conference in September.

The Northeastern Economic Developers Association (NEDA) promotes professional economic and industrial development throughout the Northeastern United States and assists its members in strengthening their local and regional economies. The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that serves as a catalyst for industrial and commercial growth throughout Southeastern Vermont and is the lead implementer of the strategies contained in the Windham Regions 2014 S.M.A.R.T. CEDS.