Current News

Vermont Business Magazine In a major break with the current payment system for health care, The University of Vermont Medical Center’s CEO, John R Brumsted, MD, has announced an ambitious goal to have 80 percent of the care provided by the Medical Center to be paid for based on quality of care, instead of the traditional method of being paid for the amount of care provided, by 2018. Speaking to leaders of some of the highest-rated hospitals in the nation, who gathered recently in Baltimore at the annual meeting of the Association of American Medical Colleges, Brumsted argued that this aggressive approach is the best way to increase quality, collaboration and cost effectiveness, and it will create a powerful incentive to shift the focus of providers to prevention and wellness.

Highlights

by Mike Smith The Vermont State Employees Association — the union that represents thousands of state employees — is in turmoil. Members have expressed a lack of confidence in their executive director, Steve Howard. This is the second time in the last few years that there has been turmoil between the membership and, now, two different executive directors. One has to ask: Is it the executive directors, is it the membership or have ideological differences between union activists and more mainstream state employees made the organization unmanageable?

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin on Friday awarded medals to four Vermont veterans for their service to Vermont and the nation. The Vermont Distinguished Service Medal, recognizing an honorable discharge and service in a combat theater, and the Vermont Veterans Medal, recognizing an honorable discharge, were both presented in the Senate Chambers at the State House.

Mr. Stephen Spencer, WW II Veteran with the United States Navy received both the Vermont Distinguished Service Medal and the Vermont Veterans Medal.

Mr. David Bean, a Gulf War Veteran with the United States Navy received both the Vermont Distinguished Service Medal and the Vermont Veterans Medal.

Mr. Patrick C. Johnson-Hedges served with the United States Navy and received the Vermont Veterans Medal.

Mr. Theodore A. Tighe served with the United States Army and received the Vermont Veterans Medal.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Cannabis Collaborative (VTCC) will release its anticipated legislative report to the Vermont public and state legislature on Wednesday, November 18 at 10 am in the Great Room at Main Street Landing (3rd floor) – 60 Lake Street, Burlington, Vermont 05401. The report is entitled WHAT CANNABIS CAN DO FOR VERMONT: How to grow a thriving, community-based, legal cannabis economy in the Green Mountain State.

“This report is the result of a years' worth of collaboration and conversation about how legal, regulated cannabis can ignite economic growth and create jobs in Vermont,” explains Bill Lofy, the report’s chief author. “We see Vermont as the national center of cannabis excellence, with a market open to any Vermonter who wants to participate, and where craft growers and entrepreneurs create an economy that reflects Vermont values,” notes VTCC steering committee Judy MacIsaac Robertson.

Vermont Business Magazine Sugarbush Resort continues to make strides on the environmental front with several new initiatives this year. The resort is currently involved in two solar initiatives it plans to implement this winter season. The first project would appoint Sugarbush as the offtaker on six separate solar projects throughout Vermont. Green Lantern Capital out of Waterbury will develop, finance, build and maintain the solar projects. Net-metering credits associated with the projects will be transferred to Sugarbush Resort, even though the projects are located throughout the state. Under Vermont’s net-metering regulations, an electric customer can receive utility bill credits from various renewable energy projects without needing to be near the actual array. This allows Sugarbush’s electricity to be supportive of green-energy projects.

Vermont Business Magazine Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, as well as members of the American Council for Life Insurers and others, will speak to the Vermont Public Retirement Study Committee about issues concerning retirement security in the private sector. Townsend is the founder of the Center for Retirement Initiatives at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, where she is the Faculty Director. The initial focus of the center is to help states plan and implement policies and programs that would make it easier for people who do not have easy access to a pension plan to save for their senior years in an efficient and cost-effective manner -- utilizing pooled, professional asset management. The center both studies and facilitates efforts to expand retirement options. Townsend also has served as the State of Maryland’s first woman Lt. Governor and as Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the United States.

Vermont Business Magazine Drive for Charity, a unique opportunity to donate to the Vermont Foodbank and enter to win a brand new car, ends Friday, November 20th. For just $5, participants are entered to win a new Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, or Toyota Scion tC. Raffle tickets are only available online and the last day to purchase tickets is Friday, November 20, 2015.

“We want to raise $50,000 for the Vermont Foodbank and we have less than two weeks left to reach our goal” said Dave Birmingham, 802 Cars owner. “We know 153,000 Vermonters rely on the Foodbank each year for food help—this raffle could provide a meal for each and every one of them, just in time for the holidays.”

Vermont Business Magazine It's not maple syrup. In time for the holidays, Hotwire.com has announced the top travel and leisure emoji used state by state. From the ever popular "tent" in Wyoming to "snowflakes" in Montana and Alaska and "tropical drink" in Hawaii, the data offers a fun, industry-wide read that shows consumers across the country are feeling optimistic leading up to the peak holiday travel season. Vermont's top emoji is:

...a beer mug. Hmm.

by Erin Mansfield vtdigger.org The largest membership organization for family doctors in Vermont is encouraging political leaders to not cut Medicare payments. They also endorse a sweetened beverage tax and universal background checks for gun sales. The Vermont Medical Society passed resolutions calling on Governor Peter Shumlin’s administration to not cut any payments that Medicare makes to Vermont doctors for senior citizens’ health care.

Vermont Business Magazine What was once regarded as the obligation and domain of the big boys (think Starbucks, Ben & Jerry’s, Microsoft), now sees small to mid-sized organizations joining the charge through the adoption and practice of the triple bottom line (TBL). TBL can be defined as a business framework of three pillars of sustainability: people, planet and profit. Why the latest inclusion? Almost 30 million small businesses in America can be a powerful body in effectively helping to address today’s formidable societal and environmental concerns according to one TBL practitioner.

A CPA firm in Vermont is showing small business how to get it done. It embraces corporate social responsibility in which the TBL practice is embedded. The act of corporate social responsibility (CSL) can be defined as “voluntary activities undertaken by a company to operate in an economic, social and environmentally sustainable manner.”

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center, based in Burlington, will host an open house for a new residential program, Avenue 7, designed for young adults ages 18-28 who have an intellectual disability or autism. The program will provide support and guidance for individuals as they develop the skills necessary to live independently in the community.

The program is offered in partnership with the Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) and will provide housing and support for individuals who will eventually transition to living independently in their own apartment in the community.

Cathie Buscaglia, lead project coordinator from Howard Center, says, “This is a model of support that individuals and families have been requesting for some time. We are thrilled to partner with BHA to offer this important support for individuals as they transition to independence.”

Vermont Business Magazine The ribbon is cut by owners Christopher and Angela LaFlamme at the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Celebration at the new location of LaFlamme’s Furniture Mall located at 3 Diamond Run Mall in Rutland Town. LaFlamme’s Furniture Mall is the largest single story furniture store in Vermont at 50,000 square feet. LaFlamme’s Furniture Mall is not just furniture, there are several specialty displays by local businesses including Gilmore Home Center, Allen Pools & spas, Go Big, Inc, Proctor Gas, Garland Farm & Garden and others. The store also features a design, appliances, mattresses, flooring, electronics and more!