Current News

Vermont Business Magazine A report released Monday, May 23rd by the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) says the U.S. is on the verge of a “major expansion of its senior population.” The report holds that most older adults want to age independently in their homes and communities, yet most homes and communities can’t safely and affordably accommodate this desire. Recommendations include increasing the availability of service-enriched housing (like Vermont’s Support and Services at Home model) to improve health outcomes in seniors while cutting the growth in Medicare expenditures.

Vermont Business Magazine The Kingdom County Forum, an Irasburg citizens’ group, today (May 30) announced the Kingdom County Debate, to be held in Irasburg on Wednesday, June 29 at 6 p.m. Candidates Matt Dunne, Peter Galbraith, Bruce Lisman, Sue Minter and Phil Scott, the major-party candidates for Vermont governor, have all agreed to take part in the debate.

Reporter Jon Margolis, a former Chicago Tribune reporter and current political columnist for VTDigger, who now lives in Barton, will serve as moderator.

The Orleans County Democratic and Republican Committees are co-sponsors of the event.

"I applaud the organizers of this debate,” said Orleans County Republican Committee Chair Chet Greenwood.  “It gives the residents of the Northeast Kingdom a unique opportunity to submit questions and be a part of the election process as they listen to the candidates debate the issues concerning Vermonters and especially the NEK."

by Mike Smith Jack Squires was a coal miner’s son, a mother’s favorite and a husband to a then 24-year-old wife and father to a 4-year old daughter.  He was a Navy SEAL who had survived harrowing missions in the Vietnam War. Jack earned a Bronze Star for his bravery and a Presidential Citation for his heroics.  He was my friend and a teammate. 

Vermont Business Magazine Thousands of friends and family members gathered on a glorious Sunday morning, May 29, to celebrate the awarding of bachelor’s degrees to the 517 members of the Middlebury College Class of 2016. On a sunny day in the Champlain Valley that felt more like midsummer than springtime, the graduates endured temperatures in the high-80s and heard an inspiring 16-minute address from Van Jones, the noted environmentalist and activist for social justice who served in the Obama Administration as a special advisor and currently is a CNN commentator.

Middlebury College celebrated commencement under summer skies on Sunday. Photos by Brett Simison.

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims pushed over 700 last week after several weeks in the 500s. For the week of May 21, 2016, there were 777 claims, up 221 from the previous week's total and 283 more than they were a year ago. By industry, claims were down in every industry except Services, which were up dramatically and garner by far the most with 80 percent of all claims. 

Altogether 5,129 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 206 from a week ago, and 129 more than a year ago.

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

by Barbara Crippen, Campaign for Vermont, Policy Coordinator As the June deadline for Act 46 school district merger votes approaches voters in choice towns should be extremely wary of the tactics being used to promote mergers. One common tactic is the use of Articles of Agreement to bribe voters in choice towns. They include provisions to “grandfather“ in choice for limited time periods in exchange for a merger eliminating choice altogether. This is a duplicitous tactic since the Agency of Education (AOE) is insisting that it is “likely unconstitutional” for merging school districts to offer school choice and operate schools for the same grades. What AOE is actually saying is, “it’s unconstitutional but we can make it legal for a while if you do what we want.” In reality there is no provision in Act 46 or related statutes authorizing this grandfathering tactic. AOE has acknowledged this (in writing) while claiming that’s because “it’s up to the voters.” Really?

Vermont Business Magazine Farrell Distributing is once again teaming up with the Vermont Lake Monsters for the "Here's to the Heroes" campaign, a promotion based on the existing Anheuser-Busch "Here's to the Heroes" program, benefiting the families of fallen soldiers. For the entire season, Farrell Distributing will donate $10 to the Folds of Honor Scholarship Program for every run scored by the Lake Monsters at home. The Lake Monsters will also host a "Stars and Stripes" Jersey auction with the proceeds benefiting the Scholarship Program. Through these programs and other initiatives, Farrell Distributing will be funding three (3) $5,000 scholarships to eligible applicants.

Vermont Business Magazine College graduation season is always a happy time. But many students are even more buoyant than usual this year, thanks to a job market for new college graduates that’s finally lifting off after years of recession. Jobs are “surging for new college graduates” National Public Radio proclaimed in a recent story. “Best Job Market Yet for Millennials,” an Economist story was headlined.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington radio station WIZN-FM and Colchester advertising agency Mt Mansfield Media won Best in Show awards May 25 at the Commercial of the Year Awards luncheon at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. The competition is organized by the Vermont Association of Broadcasters and the awards were announced during the organization’s 61^st annual convention in Montpelier. Featured speaker at this year’s convention was Former U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, President and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters.

Vermont Business Magazine Unemployment Insurance checks were issued by the Vermont Department of Labor yesterday that did not include bank routing numbers. This error affected approximately 1,000 checks dated May 25, 2016. UI Claimants are asked to follow the instructions below to ensure payment.

Vermont Business Magazine The National Retail Federation announced that Congressman Peter Welch, D-Vt., is one of the retail advocate’s Legislator of the Year honorees. SenatorTim Scott, R-South Carolina, was honored with the Legislator of the Year distinction in the Senate. The award was presented on Tuesday during the Retail Advocates Summit, NRF’s annual congressional fly-in.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont National Guard is preparing to go to bid on a major construction project for apron replacement and taxiway upgrade at the Air National Guard Base located at the Burlington International Airport. The project is slated to start late this fall and continue through to fall of 2017. The project is estimated at greater than $25 million.