Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Limited treatment options and no vaccines exist to treat or prevent a leading cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children in the developing world: Cryptosporidium, a single-celled intestinal parasite found in soil, food and water that also causes significant illness and death in immunocompromised individuals. The infection it causes – called cryptosporidiosis or “Crypto” for short – has gained significant attention in the global public health realm and attracted funding to develop new antimicrobial agents to treat the parasitic infection, as well as assess vaccine feasibility.

Vermont Business Magazine Brattleboro OB/GYN & Four Seasons Midwifery, a department of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce their CenteringPregnancy® site approval. CenteringPregnancy is a holistic childbirth program committed to the empowerment of pregnant women.  “This is an exciting time for our practice as we offer CenteringPregnancy, a nationally recognized model of care,” said Cynthia Pearson, Director of Maternal and Child Health.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center’s OB/Gyn and Maternity Services departments have recently been recognized for clinical excellence and patient satisfaction by a number of regional and national organizations. SVMC has been designated by Blue Cross Blue Shield as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care. To achieve this status, SVMC demonstrated cost efficiency, expertise, and a commitment to quality care during deliveries. SVMC was one of only two in the state to have received the additional distinction of being a Blue Distinction Center+. This designation is granted to those with a proven track-record for delivering better results—such as fewer complications and readmissions—than facilities without this recognition.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center nutrition services has received the top national award in healthcare foodservice. The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) announced the winners of its 2016 Silver Plate Awards today. Nine Silver Plate category winners were unveiled by 2015 Gold Plate Honoree John Miller, president and CEO of Denny's, at the annual IFMA Chain Operators EXchange (COEX) in Las Vegas. Silver Plate winners are nominated by IFMA members and industry leaders and then selected by a distinguished jury, including national trade press editors, foodservice experts and past award winners.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont economy is one of our most crucial and the least understood systems. The Vermont Futures Project was founded to conduct research and provide knowledge about the Vermont economy aimed at enhancing and sustaining a robust and growing economy. The Futures Project believes that Vermonters need a shared vision about the economy we want—one that is as strong as the vision we share for our environment. To help build this vision the Vermont Futures Project is sponsoring, in collaboration with regional entities, a series of discussions around the state. Johnson State College will host a meeting on March 31^st for Lamoille Region businesses and residents.  

Vermont Business Magazine Founded in 1999 as a project of New York Sea Grant and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), creation of an independent Lake Champlain Sea Grant (LCSG) program in 2002 received strong support from Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy during deliberations about the National Sea Grant College Program Reauthorization Act. There, he advocated for an amendment that would include Lake Champlain in the National Sea Grant Program. Today, LCSG is a collaborative effort between the University of Vermont and SUNY Plattsburgh. The program has evolved over the years, earning promotion through NOAA’s four-tiered system in recognition of its successes along the way.

by Mike Smith Senator Bernie Sanders and billionaire Donald Trump are two candidates for president of the United States. One might easily conclude that they have little in common, and yet their respective wins in Vermont’s presidential primary shows they have similarities. 

They both champion the same message, which is: The political system is rigged against average Americans and controlled by elites whose sole interest is preserving their own influence over our politics and our economy. While Sanders and Trump have astutely recognized the power of this message, the political elites have not. 

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington City Arts is very pleased to announce the  newly formed Burlington City Arts Community Fund, a fund in its pilot year providing $35,000 to Burlington-based practicing artists, creative professionals, or small arts organizations. The City of Burlington and the BCA Board of Advisors have partnered to create this annual fund that will support artists’ and arts organizations’ projects that contribute to the public good through a competitive grant process.

“The City of Burlington has a rich and growing arts and cultural community that contributes to livability and economic growth. To continue to foster a robust, healthy, creative community, support artists, and encourage innovation through the arts, this funding is vital, and we are excited to be spearheading this initiative,” said Doreen Kraft, BCA Executive Director.

Vermont Business Magazine The Arlington School District, in southwest Vermont, was selected to receive a $20,000 rebate to help pay for a new school bus that will emit less pollution than older buses currently in use. This funding was made available under EPA’s Clean Diesel Program. The funds are part of approximately $925,000 that are being awarded to school bus providers in New England to replace 46 buses, in 12 fleets, and of more than $7 million in rebates nationwide to replace or retrofit 400 older diesel school buses in 85 fleets across 35 states.

“Investing in clean diesel school buses will help ensure cleaner air for our children and for all community members,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “Thanks to the Clean Diesel Program, thousands of children can breathe easier and enjoy better health.”

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin issued the following statement after public drinking sources in Merrimack, New Hampshire, were found to be contaminated with the the potentially harmful chemical PFOA (perfluorochemical). Last week, a number of private wells in North Bennington tested positive for elevated levels of PFOA. The public drinking water systems in North Bennington and Bennington have been tested and are not affected.

by Sarah Tuff Dunn If you’ve ever seen the funky flowers for Om Records, the flying Burton penguin, or the groovy graphics for Nordica Skis and Anon goggles, then you’ve seen the work of Capacitor Design Network, whose president and cofounder is Josh Brown ’92. His Vermont-based business cranks up edgy illustrations, graphics, and designs for the music industry, ski and snowboard companies, and corporate clients around the world. Originally, however, Brown intended to spin the globe as a cartographer after studying geography at UVM—a switch from environmental studies. But when the Woodstock-raised music lover found himself headed in the wrong direction, he returned to his roots, turning up the creative volume to pursue a more design-oriented career.

Josh Brown. Photos by Shem Roose

by Mike Faher/The Commons, Brattleboro It’s safe to say Louis Josephson has his hands full. As the Brattleboro Retreat’s new president and chief executive officer, Josephson is in charge of more than 800 employees and an array of programs including 122 inpatient beds for children and adults; multiple outpatient offerings; a school; and a busy “hub” for treatment of opiate addiction. Josephson has taken the reins of a community institution with 182 years of history, along with a more-recent history of difficulties with federal and state regulators.

Louis Josephson, the new president and chief executive officer of the Brattleboro Retreat. Photo by Mike Faher