Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Military and overseas voters should register to vote and request an absentee ballot for the November election as soon as possible.  This will help ensure that all ballots, which must be returned by mail, are received back from the voters no later than Election Day. Ballots will be sent to all military or overseas voters that have requested them no later than Friday, September 23, 2016. Ballots will be sent the same day for any requests received after that deadline.

Secretary of State Jim Condos said: "Many Vermonters are enlisted in the military helping to protect our freedoms, including our freedom to vote.  We are thankful for their service and the sacrifices they make in being away from home.  Other Vermonters reside overseas but retain their fundamental right to vote and participate in our democracy.

Vermont Business Magazine Commissioners and Secretaries from: Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation; Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets; Agency of Transportation; and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. Moderated by Lake Champlain Basin Program.

Vermont Business Magazine The parent company of Mount Snow Resort in West Dover, Peak Resorts, Inc. (Nasdaq:SKIS), has announced that it has reached an agreement to sell $20 million of its Series A cumulative convertible preferred stock and warrants to purchase common stock to CAP 1 LLC, a family client of Summer Road LLC. The Company expects to use the proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes and for the execution of its strategy for future growth, including expansion through acquisition.

Mount Snow Resort.

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims plunged last week to a very low level, as typical for summer, but are running higher in 2016 than in 2015. For the week of August 20, 2016, there were 389 claims, down 161 from the previous week's total and 25 more than they were a year ago. By industry, claims plunged for  Manufacturing. Service, the usual leader, led the way with 56 percent of all claims, which for actual claims was about the same as last week. 

Altogether 4,384 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 54 from a week ago, and 76 more than a year ago.

The Department processed 0 First Tier claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08).

by Mike Smith Political debates play a very important role in a campaign. Especially when there is an open seat for governor and Vermonters are looking for ways to get to know a candidate. Voters gain meaningful insight into the positions and demeanor of a candidate through a well-structured debate. But some candidates will attempt to manipulate the debate format to their advantage. This could include limiting the number of debates, the scope of the topics to be discussed, even the time, date, and place of the debate. Some candidates may even try to place requirements on which candidates can participate, sometimes requiring that all be included in order to limit their exposure and avoid direct confrontation with one’s principal opponent.

Vermont Business Magazine The Securities and Exchange Commission last week announced enforcement actions against 71 municipal issuers and other obligated persons for violations in municipal bond offerings. Among those was a single Vermont entity, Casella Waste Management, based in Rutland. The parties settled the actions without admitting or denying the findings and agreed to cease and desist from future violations.

Vermont Business Magazine The Rowell Family of Green Mountain Dairy Farm in Sheldon believe in showing their community what farmers do to produce safe, wholesome and nutritious food in Vermont and beyond. On August 27, the Rowell’s opened their farm to over 1,000 visitors for Vermont’s 3^rd Breakfast on the Farm. The free, public event included a pancake breakfast, self-guided tours of the dairy farm and a peek into the life and business of dairy farming in Vermont – home to over 850 dairy farms that make 63% of the milk for New England, according to USDA data.

The Rowell farm dairy barn. VAAFM photos.

Sue Minter, Democratic candidate for governor: It’s hard to believe that anything good can come of a disaster. But five years after Tropical Storm Irene ravaged our brave little state, I travel with pride through a Vermont that is stronger and more resilient than it was before that terrible night when the flood waters rose.

by Gaye Symington, High Meadows Fund We find out who we are when we are pushed to our limits. In August 2011, the power of water pushed Vermont hard – and revealed the power of our Vermont community. Tropical Storm Irene was a momentous event in Vermont’s history, and the response to Irene showed our remarkable identity as a people and as neighbors who care for each other. In the time since Irene, our state has confronted the new reality of more frequent and intense storms. We have been working together as a state and as communities to be better prepared and more resilient together. However, we have more to do.

by Gary Franklin A new federal law protecting confidential business information became effective on May 11, 2016. The adoption of the Defend Trade Secrets Act (the “Act”) arose from the federal government’s recognition of the importance of trade secrets and the devastating impact on the economy from their misappropriation. Trade secret theft causes annual losses of more than 2 million jobs and over $300B to the American economy undermining the means and incentive for entrepreneurs to innovate. 

Vermont Business Magazine Phil Scott, Republican candidate for governor, will be joining Vermonters across the state this weekend in celebration and commemoration of their five-year commitment to restoring Vermont’s communities in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene. As Lt. Governor, Phil saw first-hand the on-the-ground recovery effort, which continues to this day, and the hard work that many Vermonters poured into rebuilding our state. The tour is an opportunity for Phil to reconnect with those communities that banded together five years ago.

Schedule:     Saturday, Aug 27^th 4 – 5 p.m.: More-Fest Auto and Antique Tractor Show

• Moretown Elementary School, Moretown, Vt.  

Sunday, Aug 28^th 10 – 10:45 a.m.: White River Resilience Festival

Vermont Business Magazine - Senator Patrick Leahy Friday announced that he will participate in three debates in this fall’s campaign for the United States Senate.  The three debates will be hosted by Vermont PBS, Vermont Public Radio and Channel 17 and follows precedent established in previous elections.   Leahy welcomed and encouraged other media outlets to collaborate on these debates. 

Leahy spokesman Jay Tilton said: “Senator Leahy is looking forward to having a positive, issue oriented debate with his opponents this fall, just as he has in previous cycles.”

Tilton noted Leahy agreed to two of these debates before Republican candidate for Senate Scott Milne issued his “debate challenge.”