Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Continuing a proud tradition, BioTek Instruments will receive the 2015 Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness Award, presented by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The award will be presented at the 2016 Worksite Wellness conference on March 30, 2016 in Burlington, VT. The conference highlights Vermont companies and their efforts to promote the health and wellness of employees. This year, Lilly Tarricone, Mark Boutin and Kathy Gendron at BioTek will be recognized for their leadership in BioTek’s BioFit wellness program.

Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont and Keene Medical Products, Inc. have reached an agreement  settling a multi-year investigation by the Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit of the  Attorney General’s Office and the Program Integrity Unit of the Department of Vermont Health  Access regarding whether Keene submitted false claims or received overpayments from the Vermont Medicaid Program. Keene will pay in excess of $460,000 to settle potential claims, under the Vermont False Claims Act and Vermont Medicaid Fraud Statute, that Keene received improper payments from the Vermont Medicaid Program. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has approved $14.4 million in loan and bond financings for commercial, agricultural, energy and small business projects throughout Vermont. “VEDA is pleased to help two of Vermont’s municipal electric utilities reach their renewable energy generation goals through the issuance of US Treasury clean energy bonds,” said VEDA Chief Executive Officer Jo Bradley. “Other financings approved by VEDA will help support commercial and agricultural investments, and additional energy, small business, and community development projects throughout Vermont.”

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Vaccine Testing Center (VTC) has announced that it will be involved in the development of a vaccine for Zika virus, which was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization on February 1, 2016. UVM VTC faculty Kristen Pierce, M.D., (KP) an infectious disease specialist and associate professor of medicine, and Sean Diehl, Ph.D., (SD) an immunologist and assistant professor of medicine, have expertise in the characteristics of flaviviruses – a group of viruses, mostly transmitted via insects, that cause such human diseases as Zika virus, yellow fever, dengue, various types of encephalitis, and hepatitis C – and related vaccines. An infectious disease physician, Pierce has led or co-led several dengue and West Nile virus vaccine-related trials.

Vermont Business Magazine A national program that surveyed more than 3,200 Vermonters about the service they received from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) customer service team recognized the company as the Best Performing Call Center of the Year among leading member service organizations in the country. The award recognizes the small/mid-sized call center with the highest combined first call resolution (FCR) rating and employee satisfaction and engagement.

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Army Corps of Engineers has issued a federally-required Department of Army permit to the New England Clean Power Link, allowing it to be placed in the waters of the United States along its proposed route. Developer TDI New England announced the decision today. The Army Corps permit authorizes TDI New England to construct the project pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The $1.2 billion, 1 gigawatt electrical line will run from the Vermont-Quebec border nearly 100 miles under Lake Champlain, before turning East and heading across Vermont to Ludlow. Construction is slated for 2017, with service commencing in 2019.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Attorney General’s Office has closed its investigation into a complaint about Annette Smith’s actions in various proceedings before the Public Service Board (PSB). The Office has closed the investigation without further action. "This Office considers the matter closed," The AG's office said in a statement Monday. Annette Smith has vigorously fought the complaint (see letter below). In December 2015 the Office received a complaint regarding Smith alleging that her conduct in various matters before the PSB constituted the unauthorized practice of law.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont has added to its growing reputation as a leader in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education with the announcement of a new bachelor of science degree in biomedical engineering and a bachelor of science degree in data science. The new programs, made official at a recent meeting of the UVM Board of Trustees, support UVM’s efforts to expand STEM education with a goal of doubling enrollments in STEM-related programs by 2020. The programs in the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences will be housed in the new $104 million STEM complex of laboratories, classrooms and research facilities scheduled for completion in May of 2019.

by Mike Smith Annette Smith, the executive director of Vermonters for a Clean Environment, has long been a thorn in the side of utilities, energy producers, and even politicians. Smith is above all an activist. And she’s dogged. She has taken the time to learn the process regulating large-scale energy projects such as wind and solar. Importantly, she has also come to represent, and be a voice for, Vermonters who are impacted by these large projects, who cannot afford well-heeled lawyers and who are not being heard in the process. Her organization operates on little funding, and her team is mostly made up of volunteers. They are frequently the minority opposition, but they are organized, engaged and vocal.

Vermont Business Magazine Two years ago, Ellen Martinsen was collecting mosquitoes at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, looking for malaria that might infect birds—when she discovered something strange: a DNA profile, from parasites in the mosquitoes, that she couldn’t identify. By chance, she had discovered a malaria parasite, Plasmodium odocoilei—that infects white-tailed deer. It’s the first-ever malaria parasite known to live in a deer species and the only native malaria parasite found in any mammal in North or South America. Though white-tailed deer diseases have been heavily studied—scientists hadn’t noticed that many have malaria parasites.

Vermont Business Magazine College of St Joseph in Rutland has announced that Provider Scholars have contributed more than 10,000 service hours in the community since the program’s inception in fall 2013. The Provider Scholarship, worth $65,000 over four years for full-time residential undergraduates incorporates a commitment to academic curiosity, personal and professional growth, and community service. The program fosters personal leadership skills, civic responsibility and community engagement, while providing generous financial support. Fifteen service hours are required of each of the 142 students in the program; however, many Provider Scholars contribute more than the required service.

Ice Cream Maker Reveals Non-Dairy, Certified Vegan Line Up

Vermont Business Magazine Attention, frozen dessert fans unable - or choosing not to - consume dairy; your long wait is over! Now is the time to raise spoons in celebration of an all-new, Non-Dairy flavor line up. At last fans can dive deep into a decadent pint and experience all the chunks and swirls Ben & Jerry's is known for, but this time in a Certified Vegan, almond milk-base indulgence. The new lineup includes a quartet of flavors ready for spooning, including:

P.B. & Cookies, Vanilla with Chocolate Sandwich Cookies & Crunchy Peanut Butter Swirls
Coffee Caramel Fudge, Coffee with Fudge Chunks & Caramel Swirls 
Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Chocolate with Fudge Brownies from Greyston Bakery
Chunky Monkey, Banana with Fudge Chunks & Walnuts