Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power has wrapped up its fourth summer of public tours at Kingdom Community Wind in Lowell. Each summer since the project came online, the Company has invited visitors and Vermonters alike to tour the working wind farm. Green Mountain Power offers the free tours once a week during the summer months. This year more than 600 people visited from all around Vermont, including several school groups, as well as from across the country and Canada. The addition of tourists benefits the local economy, from local bed and breakfasts to restaurants.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s congressional delegation – Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I) and Representative Peter Welch (D) -- announced Wednesday that Vermont will receive $371,616, the maximum grant award possible, of about $9 million awarded nationwide in federal opioid abuse prevention grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant award, from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is part of the Obama Administration’s Opioid Initiative to strengthen drug abuse prevention efforts across the country. Vermont is one of only 21 states to be awarded a Strategic Prevention Framework Partnership For Prescription Drugs grant.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin joined four other New England governors and five eastern Canadian premiers to sign a resolution this week committing to conserve three major multistate and provincial forests and waterways in the face of climate change.  Together they resolved to work across borders to maintain connected forests from the northern Appalachian Mountains through the Gulf of St Lawrence. These intact forests foster a healthy working landscape and strong rural economy, as well as provide habitat for irreplaceable native fish, wildlife and migratory species while helping to reduce the effects of climate change.

Vermont Business Magazine Kiplinger has released its ranking of the best and worst states for taxes. Kiplinger’s fourth annual Tax Map reveals income taxes, sales taxes, gas taxes, “sin” taxes (for products such as alcohol and tobacco) and other tax rules and exemptions across all 50 states and Washington, DC. Vermont is among the Top Ten Least Tax-Friendly states, with relatively high income and property taxes leading the way.

Vermont Business Magazine In light of recent stories about cyberattacks on election databases in Arizona and Illinois, Secretary of State Jim Condos wants voters to be aware of the work he and his office have done to protect Vermont elections and reassure them their votes and voter information are safe. “As Vermont’s chief elections officer, election integrity is among my highest priorities. This includes the security of our election information and systems,” Condos said. “The recent news about hackers going after elections data comes as no surprise to us. In fact, we’ve been anticipating these kind of cyber threats for some time now and began preparing for them years ago.”

Condos said, “I want Vermont voters to know that we are well prepared and that we have taken precautionary steps to safeguard our elections systems.” 

Vermont Business Magazine Lisaius Marketing, now Tenth Crow Creative, reveals its new look. For over 20 years, the charming brick house on College Street (between Willard and Union streets) has been occupied by Lisaius Marketing, a marketing agency that has been quietly producing some of the most recognizable branding work in Vermont. Now, Lisaius Marketing is shedding its original identity and is launching its new brand, Tenth Crow Creative.

Vermont Business Magazine The Windjammer Hospitality Group held its 5th Annual Kickball Tournament to benefit Vermont Family Network on Sunday, July 10, 2016 at Bayside Park in Colchester. Six teams competed in the tournament this year: Windjammer, Farrell Distributing, Oktoberfest, Mixed Company, The Kicking Dead, and Wayfarer. Mixed Company won the tournament and Oktoberfest was the runner up. A great BBQ was provided by the Windjammer and Zachary’s Pizza in South Burlington donated delicious pizza. There was a terrific raffle with concert tickets, Red Sox tickets, and many more sought-after prizes.

Vermont Business Magazine Darn Tough Vermont has generously donated 300 pairs of socks to the Way to Go! Challenge this year. Individuals who sign-up will be automatically entered to win a pair of these battle-tested socks, which are Guaranteed for Life. “At Darn Tough we take great pride in producing the world’s best socks right here in Northfield Vermont, the sock capital of the world” said Ric Cabot, President and CEO of Darn Tough Vermont. “Many of our 200+ workers carpool, walk, and telecommute so being a part of the Way to Go Challenge was a no brainer. The Challenge is fun and engaging way to educate Vermonters about the impact of our carbon footprint(s).”

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Energy Education Program (VEEP) has partnered with Vermont Gas to update its Button Up in-class workshop, giving middle and high school students a hands-on way to learn about thermal energy by exploring the effects of home weatherization. For students living in towns served by Vermont Gas, VEEP educators will bring the workshop to their classrooms at no cost. The partnership is all about increasing energy literacy among young Vermonters and increasing awareness of the importance of energy efficiency.

The workshop was partially funded by Vermont Gas, which provides gas to over 50,000 customers in Chittenden and Franklin counties.  The company expects to soon serve families and businesses in Addison County.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont property owner Robert Immler of Brattleboro settled claims that he filed false lead paint compliance documents for his two rental properties in violation of Vermont consumer protection and lead laws. “Lead paint is an avoidable hazard. Vermont landlords will be vigorously prosecuted for avoiding their lead paint obligations, or worse, lying about them,” said Attorney General Sorrell today.

Every landlord with pre-1978 rental properties is required to submit annual compliance statements which show that the landlords have performed the essential maintenance practices (known as EMPs) and the properties are in compliance with the lead law. The Department of Health inspected Mr. Immler’s two Brattleboro properties and found they were not in compliance, contrary to certified statements that Mr. Immler filed with the Department.

Vermont Business Magazine Northern Power Systems Corp (TSX: NPS), a next generation renewable energy technology company, today announced that all of the nominee directors listed in the Company's management information circular dated August 5, 2016, were elected as directors of the company at its annual meeting of Shareholders held on August 26, 2016, in Waltham, MA. Northern Power is best known for siting wind turbines in remote locations. It is a publicly traded company in Canada that is based in Barre. The results of the vote are set forth below:

Vermont Business Magazine Phil Scott’s campaign today released a list of the eleven (11) debates Scott will participate in prior to the General Election in 69 days. "Debates are an effective platform for candidates to discuss their priorities and plans, and to highlight important contrasts that exist among them," said Scott campaign spokeswoman Brittney Wilson.