Current News

Vermont Business Magazine After nearly two years of research, surveys, meetings, and fundraising, BDCC is launching a new SeVEDS Workforce Development program in collaboration with regional employers and education partners. The Fast Tracks to Success program is supported by an $18,000 grant from the Vermont Department of Labor. It will be implemented throughout all four Windham Region High Schools, and is designed to increase youth engagement in and knowledge of the local job market.

BDCC entrance in Brattleboro

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin joined CVS Health today to announce that the opioid overdose-reversal drug naloxone will now be available to patients without an individual prescription at CVS Pharmacy locations around Vermont. CVS Health has established a standing order with physicians in Vermont that allows CVS Pharmacy to expand access to the medication in the Green Mountain State.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Commerce and Community Development today announced that Philip Tortora has been named communications director for the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. In this role, he will be responsible for leading tourism media and trade relations. The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing's key objective is to increase awareness of the Vermont brand with the goal of increasing visitation to the state. Tortora was most recently the audience analyst at the Burlington Free Press, where he worked since 2010 as the lead digital and social media editor for the newspaper. He also reported for the Free Press, and served as a news correspondent for USA Today. Both the Free Press and USA Today are owned by the Gannett Company.

Philip Tortora Twitter photo

Vermont Business Magazine In the spirit of promoting Francophonie Month and the cultural, economic, and political ties between France, Canada, Québec, and the State of Vermont, international dignitaries will gather for a flag raising in downtown Burlington today, March 30, 2016. The flag raising is a collaborative effort of the City of Burlington, the State of Vermont, Canada, Québec, and France — and is supported by the Alliance Française of the Lake Champlain Region, whose mission is to engender awareness of French culture and support the local francophone economy.

Flag raising photos from 2015 by Alliance Française of the Lake Champlain Region (AFLCR)

Vermont Business Magazine Yankee Farm Credit has distributed $4.9 million to its members who borrowed from the cooperative. This distribution represents approximately 48 percent of Yankee’s 2015 net income of $10.2 million. George Putnam, Yankee Farm Credit’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said that Yankee sent out payments to 1,353 borrowers on March 25. The payments represent patronage refunds, which allow Yankee members to share in the cooperative’s 2015 earnings. Yankee Farm is based in Williston with offices in Northern Vermont and upstate New York.

Putnam explained, “The patronage refunds we provide to members are based on the profits that our association generated last year. This cash patronage refund effectively reduced average loan rates to members by approximately 24% in 2015.”

Vermont Business Magazine This year, Howard Center’s Curling Challenge fundraiser featured 30 teams, including several high school teams which were sponsored by Kittell Branagan & Sargent, McSoley McCoy & Co, and Myers Waste & Recycle. The Silver-level sponsors for this year’s fundraiser include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, Geri Reilly Real Estate, Price Chopper, Tech Group, Tech Vault, and Cairns Arena. In addition, numerous businesses fielded teams, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, Dinse Knapp McAndrew, Spruce Mortgage, and TruexCullins.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin is banning official state travel to North Carolina in response to a law in that state that overturns anti-discrimination protections for LGBT individuals. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced a similar ban.

“The law passed in North Carolina is an absolute disgrace,” Shumlin said. “Vermont has a proud tradition of protecting the rights of LGBT individuals. I’m making this decision in that tradition. I’m proud to join with New York in taking this action. I hope other states will join us in applying pressure on North Carolina to recognize common sense, common decency, and common humanity and repeal this law.”

A year ago, Shumlin banned official travel to Indiana after that state passed a law which promoted anti-gay discrimination. Indiana eventually modified its law and Vermont’s travel ban was lifted.

Vermont Business Magazine Farmers from across the state are voicing their concern about how new policies would impact solar and other renewable energy on Vermont farms. More than 40 farmers wrote to lawmakers and government officials today, stating, "We are concerned about policies being developed in Montpelier that could negatively impact our ability to affordably use, and host, solar and other renewable energy projects on our farms."

"Vermont farmers have a proud tradition of turning the sun's energy into productive use. Producing clean renewable energy is an increasingly vital part of Vermont's modern agricultural economy," the farmers said.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont has particularly high rates of insurance coverage, a national study has found. It ranks second nationwide for the overall coverage rate, at 95 percent, the children’s coverage rate, at 97.8 percent, and the coverage rate for people living in low-income households, at 92.8 percent. Likewise, Merritt Hawkins ranked Vermont as the third-best US state when it comes to physician access. In a nationwide study, SmartAsset has uncovered the best states for healthcare access, and Vermont ties with Michigan for the number four spot overall. Texas was last and was one of only two states to cover less than 90 percent of children (Alaska, see table below).

Vermont Business Magazine Today, President Obama joined individuals in recovery, family members, medical professionals, law enforcement officials and other leaders at the National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit in Atlanta, Georgia. As part of today’s event, the president announced additional public and private sector actions to escalate the fight against prescription opioid abuse and the heroin epidemic, which is claiming the lives of tens of thousands of Americans each year. The annual summit is organized by Operation UNITE, which was launched by Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY).

Vermont Business Magazine The Obama Administration has announced its intention to expand support for diabetes prevention programs after studying the results of a YMCA of the USA wellness program, which has proven successful in preventing Type 2 Diabetes. In Vermont, the Y Diabetes Prevention Program is offered through a partnership of the Greater Burlington YMCA, the Vermont Blueprint for Health and the Vermont Department of Health. Vermont was the first state to offer the Y Diabetes Prevention Program statewide and in partnership with state health services.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin today appointed Chittenden County Senator Diane Snelling as Chair of the Natural Resources Board (NRB). Snelling replaces Jon Groveman who stepped down earlier this year. To replace Snelling in the Senate, the governor will appoint former Chittenden County Senator Helen Riehle. She will serve out the remainder of Snelling’s term and does not intend to run for election this fall. Both are Republicans and Snelling is the only Republican in six-seat Chittenden County. The appointments will be effective Wednesday.