Current News
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine. A critic of Big Renewables in Vermont is free from the threat of criminal prosecution after the attorney general’s office dropped an investigation launched in response to complaints from an anonymous green-energy developer.
Standing before a large crowd, Annette Smith, surrounded by her attorney and victims of green-energy development, thanked supporters and the anonymous developer whose complaints against her backfired when Vermonters rallied to her cause.
“I want to thank the people who brought this complaint to the attorney general’s office,” Smith said to thunderous applause from dozens of people gathered at the Statehouse on Monday.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine. The St. Albans Cooperative Creamery is the first dairy cooperative in the nation to provide new information to farmers about the fatty acids that make up the milk fat in their cow’s milk. Local researchers found a direct correlation between the fat content in milk and farm management practices – this information will allow farmers to improve the way they feed and manage their cows as well as earn a higher pay for their milk. Recommendations from this research will support the economic viability of local dairy farms and ensure that consumers continue to have access to local, affordable dairy products.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Union Bank received the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Vermont 2015 Guaranteed Lender of the Year Award in recognition of the bank’s dedication to rural home buyers. USDA officials presented the award at the Woodbury residence of Craig and Rachel Wilson who purchased their home one year ago through Union Bank using the USDA’s Guaranteed Home Loan Program.
“The most effective way to ensure that young families call rural Vermont home is to provide them with an accessible and affordable avenue towards homeownership,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Ted Brady, “The USDA’s Guaranteed Home Loan Program removes financial obstacles that stand in the way of ownership, however, the program’s efficacy depends on strong partners such as Union Bank whose local presence makes them an invaluable asset to the program, the families they work with, and to rural communities across the state.”
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Berkshire Bank announced today its two charitable Foundations awarded a total of $1,810,229 in grants to non-profit organizations in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and Vermont during 2015. The grants supported important education and community development initiatives as well as health and human services and cultural programs. In addition, Berkshire Bank provided approximately $500,000 in community sponsorships, raising Berkshire’s total contributions in the community to more than $2.3 million.
by katie
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.
by katie
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.
by tim
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.”
by tim
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.
by tim
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.
by tim
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.
by tim
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.
by tim
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.