Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture, Chuck Ross, issued on Wednesday his revised decision regarding the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) petition to require mandatory Best Management Practices (BMPs) for farms in the Missisquoi Bay Basin.  The Revised Secretary’s Decision makes a threshold determination that BMPs are necessary in the basin to achieve compliance with Vermont’s water quality goals. The secretary, in his revised decision, has determined that BMPs are generally necessary on farms in the Missisquoi Bay Basin watershed to achieve compliance with state water quality goals. Dairy farms in particular have come under heightened scrutiny for their role in adding to runoff into the lake of phosphorous, which contributes to growth of blue-green algae. In the original order from November 2014, Ross denied the CLF's petition. Ross denied it in part because of the financial hardship it would cause farmers.

Vermont Business Magazine The Greater Burlington YMCA announced today the receipt of a generous $100,000 gift from NorthCountry Federal Credit Union. NorthCountry, now in their fifth year as the Y’s Youth Development Community Partner, has donated a total of $500,000 in recent years to help underwrite early education, after school programs, summer camps, youth swimming, and special events at the Y throughout the calendar year.

“The Y works side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive,” said Pam Mackenzie, Interim President & CEO at the Greater Burlington YMCA. “The Y has no better neighbor -- no stronger community partner -- in reaching this goal than NorthCountry Federal Credit Union and their members.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) announced today the availability of grant funds for the purpose of enhancing the competitiveness of Vermont specialty crops, defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture crops (including honey, hops, and maple syrup), and nursery crops (including Christmas trees and floriculture). These funds are awarded through a competitive review process guided by industry, nonprofit and government stakeholders. VAAFM plans to award approximately $200,000 in Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds in 2016.

Vermont Business Magazine Bruce Lisman, the Shelburne businessman running for governor as a Republican, has released his first television advertisement. The Lisman for Vermont campaign announced Tuesday that the 60-second segment entitled, “L4VT: New Direction for Vermont,” highlights many of the challenges that Vermonters are facing, discusses Lisman’s experience and why he is uniquely qualified to lead Vermont in a New Direction. It also outlines his plan for the future. It is airing on WCAX and statewide on cable. Lisman founded Campaign for Vermont. He's a native of Burlington and made his fortune on Wall Street. Lisman has never held public office. Republican Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott is also running. The chief Democratic contenders are former state senator Matt Dunne and former VTrans secretary Sue Minter.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Gas Systems announced that this week it is officially an Energy Efficiency Utility (EEU) as designated by the Vermont Public Service Board.  “For the past two decades, our customers and the environment have benefited tremendously from our nationally recognized efficiency programs. This designation reinforces our commitment to build on our efficiency services to help our customers cut costs and reduce carbon emissions,” said Don Rendall, Vermont Gas President and CEO. The company serves customers in Franklin and Chittenden counties and is expanding to Addison County.

Vermont Business Magazine Comcast Business has announced that for the third consecutive year the company will seek out the nation’s most innovative startup companies and entrepreneurs to participate in its Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs competition. Current and aspiring business owners can enter the competition for a chance to win up to $30,000 and participate in a day of mentoring with teams of business experts who will provide advice on how to implement their plan.

Based on a 250-word essay submission, applicants will answer the question: How could your business use technology to help enhance your business? Startups and entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit the Comcast Business Community to submit their application and essay and review the full program details. Entries are due by March 12, 2016.

Vermont Business Magazine If you make, build, publish, produce, or create anything, you should be included in Vermont Business Magazine's Business-to-Business Directory. This B2B guide is published in May and is also available online to subscribers. The diretory features manufacturers, constractors, business services, high tech, media, and any company type with 25 or more employees. Please update the information listed that we have for you on file. There is no charge to be listed in any of our rankings or directories. Answer only the questions with which you are comfortable. Return even if all information is correct.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Governor Peter Shumlin, Secretary of State Jim Condos, Tax Commissioner Mary Peterson and Labor Commissioner Annie Noonan are pleased to announce the successful partnership among their agencies to create a single sign-in business portal to make it easier to register and start a business in Vermont. Everyone doing business in Vermont must first register with the Secretary of State’s Office. Those businesses must also obtain a tax identification number from the Department of Tax, and register with the Department of Labor for unemployment insurance. Until recently, that meant multiple forms, visits, letters, checks and phone calls. The new online Business Portal allows Vermont businesses to create an account with the Secretary of State’s Office, and then interact with each agency quickly and simply in one place.

www.sec.state.vt.us

Vermont Business Magazine President Obama on Tuesday called on Congress to provide more than $1 billion in new funding to address prescription opioid and heroin addiction. In recent years, rural communities in Vermont have been hit hard by the epidemic, which has been the focus of Senate Judiciary Committee hearings that senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) has previously chaired in Vermont and Washington. Last week Leahy invited Governor Shumlin to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington about Vermont’s experience. The Judiciary Committee as early as this Thursday may vote on the Comprehensive Addition and Recovery Act, legislation cosponsored by Leahy that would help address the heroin and opioid epidemic. Leahy, a former prosecutor, also is a cosponsor of legislation that would provide $600 million in emergency federal funds to help states combat the problem.

Vermont Business Magazine Paid sick leave in Vermont received initial Senate approval today after a key committee backed the measure last week. The Healthy Workplaces bill (H187) passed the House last year with a vote of 72-63. Governor Peter Shumlin (D-Vermont) has called for the bill to pass and be sent to him for signature. Businesses have been concerned about the cost of the program and about how the plan rectifies differences between existing plans, which most employers have, and the new law. Many Vermonters work for companies that are based out-of-state, creating compliance problems for employers. But language in the bill should allow enough flexbility for those firms to use existing benefits. While every small business must comply, the Senate version allows for more exemptions than the House version, which could trigger a Conference Committee to resolve differences if the Senate passes the bill as is.

Vermont Business Magazine Problems plaguing the EB-5 Regional Center program must be addressed through bipartisan legislation this year, Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) said Tuesday in a sternly worded statement to his colleagues. Vermont developers have used EB-5 funding at several large, tourist-related development projects, including at Jay Peak and Burke Mountain, in Stowe and at Sugarbush, Okemo and Mount Snow. Because of a backlog in processing and increased oversight by federal regulators, including the SEC and USCIS (immigration), application approvals have slowed and projects have stalled.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Climate Change Economy Council (VCCEC) is proposing a bold new vision and strategy for economic development statewide. With today’s State House release of Progress for Vermont, the Council is highlighting ways to make Vermont the most desirable location for creative small businesses and innovative entrepreneurs that advance clean energy generation, improve efficiencies, transform transportation and revitalize communities. Many of the state’s business innovators are already finding practical ways to reduce carbon emissions and diminish climate risk while providing their products and services across the world. The VCCEC strategies are designed to stimulate this green economy and assure Vermont remains a national leader in this expanding sector.