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Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) State Director Linda Rossi recently announced Area Business Advisor Brian DeClue as VtSBDC’s 2016 Vermont State Star. DeClue is the Area Business Advisor for Rutland and Bennington counties. DeClue was nominated by his peers for successfully serving southwestern Vermont small businesses. “I am pleased to make this announcement, and to recognize Brian for his contributions and commitment to our organization over the past six years.  He has become a highly respected member of the VtSBDC team,” she said.

Brian DeClue

Vermont Business Magazine Over the last 35 years, Vermont has grown to become known as the ‘Gold Standard’ of domiciles in the Captive Insurance industry and is held up as the model of sound regulation by other domiciles. This month marks the 35^th anniversary of Vermont’s captive insurance legislation signed into law by Governor Richard Snelling. In 1981, Snelling’s vision was to create a premiere captive insurance environment that would rival offshore competitors and to create economic opportunities for Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine Fitch Ratings assigns a 'AA' rating to the following Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) bonds: $10,140,000 multiple purpose bonds, series 2016 C; $20,220,000 million multiple purpose bonds, series 2016 D. Additionally, Fitch affirms the ratings on approximately $227 million in parity debt (see full list below). The rating outlook on all bonds is Stable.

The 2016 series C and D bonds are expected to be used to refund outstanding obligations previously issued under a separate single-family indenture and to finance the purchase of mortgage-backed security certificates. In conjunction with the refunding of previously issued debt obligations, the mortgage loans and certificates securing the refunded bonds will be transferred to this indenture.

Vermont Business Magazine According to the Dunne Campaign, Matt Dunne, Democratic candidate for governor, has received endorsements from more than six dozen current, former and future state legislators, including dozens of people Matt served with during the eleven years he spent in the House and Senate. Matt announced the endorsements at a press conference at the State House, where he was joined by many of the individuals backing his campaign for governor.

“I am so humbled by the outpouring of support we’ve received this week, but this is about much more than our campaign,” said Matt Dunne, Democratic candidate for Governor. “This is a movement of people who are energized and ready to work hard for the progressive values that will make Vermont stronger: raising the minimum wage to a living wage, universal healthcare and banning corporate money from our elections.”

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Sue Minter for Vermont announced support from artists and authors from across Vermont. “Our vibrant creative economy is a cornerstone of Vermont that I will champion as governor,” said Minter. She notes that Vermont is ranked #2 in the country for the number of visual artists and writers per capita. “I’m proud to have the support of so many artists whose work I admire and who have enriched all of our lives.”

Vermont’s arts sector employs over 7,400 people and generates sales of $551 million, according to a 2014 study. The total amount of compensation paid by the creative industry is over $158 million, generating nearly $15 million in taxes. Some 85 percent of Vermonters say that arts are an important part of their lives.

by Bruce Lisman A strong economy is the foundation for building a more prosperous Vermont and improving our overall quality of life. A dynamic economy that generates new jobs and better careers will raise living standards and make Vermont attractive to young families looking to put down roots. A growing economy will also generate more tax revenue, so we can offer a world-class education to our children, improve our roads and bridges, and provide vital support to the most vulnerable among us.

For too long, our politicians have watched companies and families leave Vermont due to high costs and lack of opportunity. Every year they compound that problem by increasing taxes to pay for budgets that grow much faster than our economy.

by Lisa Ventriss, President of Vermont Business Roundtable Jon Margolis’s commentary in VTDigger, entitled “Why Vermont Has Little to Fear From Florida" (July 10th) identified some interesting information regarding income tax filers, issues that can impact their mobility, and the demographics of those entering and leaving Vermont. At the conclusion of his piece, he casually states that “Vermont, like every other state, has its economic problems and some things to worry about. Rich folks moving to Florida is not one of them.” I’d like to offer another perspective; rich folks moving to Florida is a big problem that we should worry about.

Vermont Businiess Magazine Marathon Health, based in Winooski and one of the nation's leading providers of worksite health centers, today announced that Goldman Sachs completed a $30 million equity investment and minority position in the company. Marathon Health will use proceeds from the investment to meet the ever-changing healthcare needs of its customers and expand its national presence, continuing the rapid growt h it has experienced since its founding in 2005.

Vermont Business Magazine It seems to have little to do with median household income, taxes or beach front property. People are more likely to love their jobs where there aren't so many... people. Monster, a global leader in connecting people to jobs, and Brandwatch, the leading social intelligence company, today announced the results of their second annual Monster and Brandwatch Job Report, a social media study of job sentiment. Vermont moved up to fourth overall and best in the East. Revealing where people love and hate their jobs the most in the US, the study also analyzed exactly who, what, when, where and why people take to Twitter to discuss how they feel about their jobs, and how those findings differ from the 2015 report.

Vermont Business Magazine ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, is pleased to announce a $100,000 grant from the James M Cox Foundation in support of its early learning science initiative Champ Lane. ECHO’s Champ Lane is a 2,200 square-foot exhibit and classroom designed to support early learners, educators and caregivers. The exhibit will serve as the platform for development of the critical STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) early learning focused curriculum. Through this grant, ECHO will reinforce its value as a community asset by improving access to all, increasing access to early science learning and extending its reach as a provider of STEM education.

Vermont Business Magazine The Plaintiff in the lawsuit "John Doe vs. University of Vermont," filed last Tuesday, June 28, in the United States District Court of Vermont, dismissed his lawsuit Monday. That lawsuit sought to control aspects of UVM's investigation of a sexual assault allegation. The Plaintiff's decision to dismiss his suit came after the university filed its motion to dismiss the lawsuit on Thursday, July 7.

In a statement, UVM said it "is pleased that this lawsuit was dismissed promptly. Now that the lawsuit has been dismissed, UVM will continue its investigation of the sexual assault allegation as required by Title IX, a federal law protecting students against sex discrimination, including sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence."

Source: UVM 7.11.2016

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Matt Dunne for Governor started airing its third TV ad, “Lots of Reasons.” The ad features a number of Vermont women talking about why they support Matt Dunne for governor, including his commitment to paid family leave, fighting for a woman’s right to choose and enforcing equal pay laws. The 30-second ad is running statewide and is the third phase of a robust, six-figure buy. The campaign will be on the air through the August 9th primary.

“It's an honor to have the support of women of all ages from across our state. Vermont has a lot to be proud of in the fight for women’s equality, but we still have a lot of work to do,” said Matt Dunne, Democratic candidate for governor. “Paid family leave is at the very top of my policy agenda, and as governor, I’ll make sure a woman’s right to control her own reproductive health is fully protected.”

Source: Dunne Campaign 7.12.2016