Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Colleges (VSC) Board of Trustees has approved, in concept, Chancellor Jeb Spaulding’s recommendation to unify Johnson State College and Lyndon State College under one administration, a move intended to create one larger and stronger college with two distinct campuses. The Board asked the Chancellor to prepare a report that identifies and analyzes the issues and tasks required for unification, a plan for stakeholder outreach, and a transition plan for unification, all in anticipation of a vote at its September 29^th meeting.  

by Basil DN Waugh UVM New University of Vermont and Lake Champlain Basin Program research puts a hefty price tag on Lake Champlain’s natural beauty. People have a visceral reaction to algae blooms, which has economic implications. Algae blooms, cloudy water can hurt tourism, home prices, and jobs. According to the study, Vermont lakeside communities would lose $16.8 million in economic activity and 200 full-time jobs – in July and August alone – for every one-meter (three-foot) decrease in water clarity.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger and New Moran, Inc issued a joint statement today explaining why they have mutually agreed to terminate the Memorandum of Understanding to redevelop the long-closed Moran generating station on the city's waterfront. NMI will still be allowed to submit proposals, but the city will now consider redevelopment plans from other developers.

They signed the MOU in August 2015. Plans had called for a Faneuil Hall type market space on the first floor, an event space on the second floor and innovation/office space on the third floor of what was envisioned as a "net zero," $33.7 million project.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) has praised a move by Governor Peter Shumlin that will level the playing field for green and environmentally friendly businesses bidding on state contracts. The executive order announced by Shumlin gives businesses with strong environmental records and policies a preference when bidding on state contracts for goods and services, the organization said. Under the executive order, the state will consider a company’s thermal and electric efficiency, use of renewable energy, efforts to reduce carbon emissions, and other green benchmarks in awarding state contracts.

Vermont Business Magazine Southern Vermont College (SVC) has announced the receipt of a generous gift to support student scholarships, bequeathed by former trustee, Mario (Mike) F Rolla. Rolla, who passed away in 2013, was a Trustee of the College for 20 years, eight of which he served as Chairman of the Board. Through his planned gift, SVC has established the Rolla Family Scholarship endowment, which will provide assistance to students with demonstrated financial need starting this fall. The value of the bequest was not released.

Southern Vermont College graduation 2016. SVC photo

Vermont Business Magazine The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $75 million to help families living in public housing and those participating in HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Program connect with services to further their education, find good jobs, and to set them on a path to self-sufficiency. Three Vermont organizations received a total of $474,683: Burlington Housing Authority $101,685; Brattleboro Housing Authority $138,000; and Vermont State Housing Authority $234,998.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin announced today new test results from precautionary groundwater sampling of perfluorinated compounds at the closed Shaftsbury Landfill. Results showed PFOA to be present at a concentration of 25 parts per trillion in the one monitoring well tested. The combined Vermont Health Advisory limit for PFOA and PFOS is 20 parts per trillion. Additional monitoring wells at the landfill will be tested within the next several weeks.

Vermont Business Magazine The federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) today announced $501,736 in new awards to two organizations in Vermont. The awards were part of $149 million given nationally through 12 workforce programs to prepare the next generation of skilled, diverse primary care providers to serve communities in need across the country.

Vermont Business Magazine At a ceremony held today in Berlin, Judy Tartaglia, University of Vermont Health Network - Central Vermont Medical Center chief executive officer, dedicated the hospital’s new palliative care suite, the “Sun Room,” to Dr Marilyn Hart and Dr John Valentine for their compassionate efforts to enhance the hospital’s end of life care. Made possible through a generous donation from Lynne and Don Carpenter, the suite offers a light-filled sunroom, gathering area and kitchenette for seriously-ill patients and their families.

Vermont Business Magazine The City of Winooski is pleased to announce the appointment of Raymond Coffey as Interim City Manager. The City Council confirmed Coffey’s appointment on Monday, July 18 after accepting the resignation of former City Manager Katherine “Deac” Decarreau. . Decarreau had served Winooski for the previous seven years as City Manager and has accepted a position at the Chittenden Central Supervisory Union.

Raymond Coffey

Campaign for Vermont Earlier this month Campaign for Vermont (CFV) submitted to gubernatorial candidates Dunne, Galbraith, Lisman, Minter and Scott a series of questions. Campaign for Vermont was assisted in the development of these questions by volunteers and all questions were reviewed for substance, fairness, importance and non-partisanship by the following balanced group of knowledgeable Vermont observers: Bill Schubart, Neale Lunderville, David Coates and Bill Gilbert. We thank them for their assistance. Forum questions focus upon these important areas:

• The Vermont State Budget
• Act 46 and Property Taxes
• Health Care
• Ethics in State Government
• Energy Policy
• Strategic Planning

Candidates Dunne, Lisman (NOTE: Bruce Lisman is the founder and former head of CFV) and Scott have responded and we hope that candidates Minter and Galbraith will soon join them.

Vermont Business Magazine The Williston RehabGYM plans to relocate, expanding its services of physical rehabilitation, health memberships and performance enhancement. The new entity, called Kismet, will unite the RehabGYM’s services with integrative nutrition and psychotherapy to offer more comprehensive holistic care and health coaching. Owner Sharon Gutwin said the essential intent of services at Kismet is to keep people healthy and out of sick care.