Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center recently announced the appointment of Doug Gentile, M.D., to the position of chief medical information officer. In this position, he will oversee the information services (IS) teams who work on projects in the clinical areas of the medical center. He will also serve as the liaison between medical center providers and IS staff who work on the electronic medical record. Prior to accepting this position, Dr Gentile served as the medical director for clinical information systems, overseeing staff who develop computer information systems for applications such as clinical decision-making, electronic imagery, clinical documentation and provider order entry systems.

Vermont Business Magazine In May, VEC reached its annual cap on net metering installations. To control the cost of the net metering program, the VEC Board of Directors voted not to exceed the annual cap, and VEC asked the Public Service Board (PSB) if VEC could continue accepting net metering applications in 2015 to count towards the 2016 annual cap. In September, the PSB gave its approval for this request. The PSB ruled that projects that submitted applications since June can construct in 2015 and even interconnect with VEC’s permission. Net metering is the program that allows members to install small-scale renewable generation such as solar panels and wind turbines.

Vermont Business Magazine Today the Clean Water Fund Board recommended spending a projected $10.4 million to reduce nutrient pollution in Vermont’s waterways. The funds will be administered by state agencies in 2016 and 2017, once the legislature approves the plan next session. Nutrient pollution carried in runoff can fuel excessive plant and algae growth in Vermont’s waters, such as blue green algae blooms in Lake Champlain.

Vermont Business Magazine The Norwich University Corps of Cadets and broader community will pay tribute to all veterans on Tuesday, November 10 with a special remembrance ceremony at 1 pm on the Upper Parade Ground. Highlighting the ceremony will be guest speaker Brigadier General Gary W. Keefe ’86, chief of staff of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. Keefe graduated Norwich with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and commissioned in 1986. He completed his active duty service in 1992, at which time he joined the Massachusetts Air National Guard with the 104^th Fighter Wing as an active guard/reservist. Keefe holds a Master of Science in Management from Lesley University and attended Air War College, National Defense University, and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Vermont Business Magazine Tradewind Aviation will soon launch the first scheduled flight to Stowe, Vermont, in over 30 years via their scheduled shuttle service. Operating between Westchester County Airport in New York and Morrisville-Stowe State Airport in Vermont, the new route was created in conjunction with Stowe Aviation following their $27 million renovation program at the Morrisville-Stowe State Airport. Tradewind will be the only carrier to offer scheduled flights directly to the popular ski destination and its flights will offer the comfort and convenience of a private charter for the cost of a single seat. Travelers visiting from the New York metro area typically must succumb to a commercial flight to Burlington, Vermont, followed by a one hour drive, so this direct one-hour flight gives skiers more time to hit the slopes.

Vermont Business Magazine General Fund revenues totaled $115.80 million for October versus the monthly target of $116.51 million, -$0.72 million or –0.61% short. The shortfall was due primarily to the “Other” category which fell -$1.19 million below target. Personal Income Taxes of $63.93 million exceeded target by +$0.46 million or +0.72%, while Corporate Income Taxes of $23.14 were essentially on target. The October results caused a small back slide in cumulatively year-to-date General Fund receipts. However, cumulative total of $456.06 million remains above the Y-T-D target by +$4.19 million, or +0.93%. Y-T-D October revenue receipts for FY 2016 exceed the prior year (FY 2015) results by +$21.74 million, or +5.01%.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont is one of the least expensive places to raise a family, placing 15th among all states, according national financial firm. New Hampshire was next best in New England at 20th. Meanwhile, Hawaii and New York are the most expensive states to raise a family, while Tennessee and Utah are the cheapest, according to a new ranking released today by GOBankingRates.com. The leading personal finance website reports on the impact geography has on costs associated with raising a family and scores each state on factors that most contribute to a family's financial well-being:

by Tom Pelham As Vermont turns toward winter, cold winds blow over more than just our beloved landscape. The holes in our state budget are now open windows not easily shut against cold realities. Despite last year’s $30 million general fund tax increase, we once again face another year of general fund over-budgeting ranging from $90 million to $130 million. By the time we get to January and the start of the next legislative session, both those who rely upon government services and taxpayers who fund government services will feel the chilling squeeze of the fiscal vice our statehouse leaders have crafted.

by Governor Peter Shumlin Those who grew up in Vermont likely experienced a childhood with adventures through snowy woods, discoveries in neighborhood brooks, and foot races through grassy fields. In Vermont we’re so fortunate to be surrounded by a natural world that offers so much. It truly is nature’s playground that we all get to enjoy. For many, it is what ties them to our state. For others, it is what draws them to put down roots here. And for our state as a whole, it’s a big part of the identity and quality of life we all share.

Vermnont Business Magazine Vermont moose hunters had a successful hunting season according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. A record bull was taken in the October 1-7 archery moose hunt, and the regular moose hunting season was October 17-22. “A preliminary count shows that by October 26 the department had received official reports of 8 moose being taken by 42 hunters in the archery season and 107 moose taken by 230 hunters in the regular season,” said Cedric Alexander, Vermont’s moose project leader. He said a few additional reports may still be sent in from other reporting agents.

Tammy Miller with record bull moose. Courtesy F&W.

Vermont Business Magazine Keurig Green Mountain, Inc, (Keurig) (NASDAQ: GMCR), a personal beverage system company that has revolutionized the way consumers create and enjoy beverages, today announced the launch of Green Mountain Coffee® Coffeehouse, a new collection of beverages featuring café-inspired cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos. The specialty line of products draws upon the Green Mountain Coffee® heritage as a small-batch roaster and coffee shop combined with the ease and simplicity of the Keurig hot brewing system.

Vermont Business Magazine After fighting off a potential proxy challenge earlier in the week, shareholders on Friday easily re-elected the slate of director nominees supported by Casella Waste Systems, Inc's current board. Rutland-based Casella (Nasdaq:CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling, and resource management services company, announced that based on a preliminary vote count provided by Casella’s proxy solicitor, all three of Casella’s director nominees were overwhelmingly re-elected by wide margins to the Casella Board of Directors at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held Friday morning in Chittenden, Vermont. Final certified voting results are expected to be made publicly available next week.

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