Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Congressional Delegation – Sen. Patrick Leahy (D), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) and Rep. Peter Welch (D) – are welcoming the “small steps” that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced to help dairy farmers coping with declining milk prices.  USDA will purchase 11 million pounds of cheese from private inventories to help dairy farmers by reducing a cheese surplus, while also supplementing food shelves that serve needy families across the country. 

by Mike Faher/The Commons, Brattleboro The stage is set for a vote that could have big implications for the town of Windham’s landscape and for the wind industry in Vermont. Windham Selectboard has authorized a November 8 Australian Ballot vote to determine whether residents support construction of the 28-turbine Stiles Brook Wind Project, which would be the state’s largest wind power site. While Vermont towns don’t have statutory veto power over such projects, Stiles Brook developer Iberdrola Renewables says it won’t move forward if residents in Windham and neighboring Grafton reject the proposal via Australian Ballot votes.

by Patrick Leahy One of the first calls I had in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene was from a Republican senator from a far-distant state.  He told me of his concern about what he and his constituents were hearing about the storm’s devastation in Vermont, and he pledged to me his support for the congressional action that would be needed to help Vermont recover and rebuild.  I’ve made similar calls when disasters have struck other parts of our nation.

As we mark the fifth anniversary of Irene, our eyes, and our hearts, are drawn to those suffering the ravages of another storm, far from us, in Baton Rouge.  We see Louisiana families and small shop owners, mucking out their homes and businesses.  We hear from town officials who haven’t slept in four days as they scramble to mobilize urgent relief in their communities.  These fellow Americans are in dire need of both our concern, and our helping hands.

Vermont Business Magazine The weather couldn’t have been better for the record-breaking 460 participants who gathered over the weekend for the Last Mile Ride in Randolph. A festive two-day fundraiser that supports unique end-of-life services at Gifford, the event surpassed its $100,000 fundraising goal and increased participation by 20 percent. Ever since 74 motorcyclists rode the first Last Mile Ride in 2006, people have come to Randolph each August for this annual event. This year 273 people came to walk a 1 or 2.5-mile route or to run the timed 5K on Friday, and on Saturday187 people gathered for a 75-mile motorcycle ride. Last Mile Ride grows every year as loyal supporters return with an expanding circle of friends and family.

Last Mile Ride walkers on Friday night

Vermont Business Magazine Inc. magazine last week ranked Marathon Health Number 1,701 on its 35th annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment— its independent small businesses. Companies such as Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees of the Inc. 5000.

“We are honored by this recognition, which we think is a testament to our focus to help change the way healthcare is delivered,” said Marathon Health CEO Jerry Ford. “We’re happy to see so many of our clients on this list as well.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has approved financing of $7.8 million in financing for economic development projects throughout Vermont totaling $16.8 million.

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine  Led by James Crook, the former CEO of IDX Systems, a group of investors is trying to save Burlington Labs, its 180 employees and its "critical" role in statewide opiate testing. The University of Vermont Health Network will also be a minor investor if the Green Mountain Care Board approves an emergency Certificate of Need and the new entity is able to purchase the facility. The GMBC will hold a hearing Wednesday on the CON. Supporters say the CON needs to be approved quickly in order for the testing lab to continue operating. Burlington Labs has been spending more than its been taking in, owes millions to its bank and is under a state punitive order because of how Medicaid payments have been reconciled. All told, it's on the hook for about $15 million it is unable to pay.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power and Efficiency Vermont are partnering on a community-wide rapid energy transformation project in Panton to reduce energy costs, lower fossil fuel use and improve comfort. Known as eVolve Panton, the effort will put Panton at the forefront of energy innovation in Vermont as the first town to know its total energy use, cost and carbon impact, giving it the ability to track energy and carbon-saving improvements.

“When communities and energy providers work together, powerful things can happen,” said Mary Powell, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power. “We will accomplish in 12 months what would otherwise take 20 years, and when we are done, the people of Panton will have transformed their energy system into one that is more reliable, efficient and affordable.”

Vermont Business Magazine Mark Redmond, the executive director of Spectrum Youth and Family Services will receive the 2016 Distinguished Citizen award from Champlain College. President Donald J. Laackman and the Board of Trustees will make the presentation during Convocation on Friday, Aug. 26 at 3 p.m. at Roger H Perry Hall. Champlain College will welcome the members of the Class of 2020 on Friday morning as new students move into their first-year residence halls in the morning and then begin a full weekend of orientation events. Upperclass students living on campus will move in on Sunday and classes for all students begin on Monday, August 29.

Mark Redmond

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin today shared the last set of results from a statewide plan to test for perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) at sites where the harmful chemicals may have been used. The former location of Harbour Industries in Shelburne was the final site tested for PFCs. Three out of four groundwater monitoring wells showed the presence of the chemicals PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), which are types of PFCs. PFOA levels ranged from 8 to 430 parts per trillion, and PFOS levels ranged from 9 to 300 parts per trillion. The Vermont health advisory limit is 20 parts per trillion. PFOA and PFOS are suspected carcinogens that were used widely in the US in a number of industrial processes.

Vermont Business Magazine August of last year,  Jon and Pam Baker of Roswell, GA celebrated a moment they were not sure would ever come. Their sons, Gavin and Jake Baker took their first dose of Orkambi, a drug recently approved by the FDA to help control their cystic fibrosis. At this “First Dose Party,” the Bakers were surrounded by hundreds of family and friends that helped make this special drug possible.

Vermont Business Magazine Following new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nasal spray flu vaccine will not be available in the U.S. for the upcoming flu season. Instead, all flu vaccinations will be given as a standard shot. The nasal spray flu vaccine has been offered in recent years to healthy individuals ages 2 to 49. This past June, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to recommend that it not be used during the 2016-17 flu season. New research has shown a significant difference between the effectiveness of the standard flu shot and the nasal spray flu vaccine. During the 2015-16 flu season, the flu shot was 63 percent effective at preventing or reducing influenza-related illness in people ages 2 to 17. However, the nasal spray, which accounted for fewer than 10 percent of all flu vaccinations, was only 3 percent effective.