Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Today Governor Peter Shumlin and Corrections Commissioner Lisa Menard announced that Cheryl Ward Elovirta has been appointed Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Corrections (DOC), making the first all-female leadership team at the Department in Vermont history. Elovirta replaces Menard, who was appointed Commissioner after Andy Pallito was appointed Commissioner of Finance. Elovirta brings 19 years of human service and criminal justice experience, most recently serving as a Field Services Operations Manager for the Department of Corrections.

“Cheryl brings incredible experience working with the Vermont corrections system,” Shumlin said. “Her leadership and comprehensive knowledge of the Department make her ideal for the role and we could not be more pleased to welcome her as Deputy Commissioner.”

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington's Mach7 Technologies, a global provider of enterprise medical image management solutions, has been named the Asia Pacific Medical Imaging Informatics Company of the Year by global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. Each year Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that demonstrates outstanding achievement and superior performance in the field of medical imaging informatics.

Frost & Sullivan notes that Mach7 Technologies delivers innovation and flexibility stating, “Mach7 moves imaging data from monolithic, interoperability-resistant PACS to modular, customized enterprise image management solutions through a PACS-neutral back-end-infrastructure with sophisticated enterprise PACS viewers. Not only does this make imaging data highly accessible, it also improves mobility and quality of service for radiologists.”

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine Following the August report that showed weakness but no change in the unemployment rate, the September Vermont jobless rate increased one-tenth as all three broad measures were negative: the Labor Force declined; employment was down, and unemployment was up. The Vermont Department of Labor announced today that the seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for September was 3.7 percent. This represents a one-tenth of a percentage point increase from the revised August rate (3.6 percent).

The national average in September was 5.1 percent. Vermont’s unemployment rate is eighth lowest in the country, after being 4th lowest in August. New Hampshire's unemployment rate dropped two-tenths and is now tied for third lowest. September represents the first over-the-month increase in the unemployment rate in the past 12 months. SEE TABLES BELOW.

Vermont Business Magazine Porter Airlines is resuming seasonal service between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Burlington. Tickets are available now on www.flyporter.com or by contacting a registered travel agent. Service begins December 17, and runs until April 3, two-times weekly. Porter continues to be the only airline offering non-stop scheduled flights to Vermont from Canada. A Vermont getaway offers travelers the peace and tranquility of quaint New England charm along with the best of modern life. Visitors can enjoy world-class accommodation, award-winning restaurants and unique boutiques for shopping.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin today in Montpelier recommended using funds from the Vermont Enterprise Fund to attract over 120 jobs – more than 50 in the Northeast Kingdom and up to 73 in the Bethel/Royalton area. In addition to the jobs, the $700,000 in awards would more than pay for themselves, generating millions in state revenue. The Enterprise Fund was established to help the State move quickly to seize opportunities and encourage the retention or creation of jobs throughout Vermont. Under the design of the Fund, legislative approval is required from the Emergency Board, which met today, is made up of the Legislature’s fiscal committee chairs. Along with approving the allocation, the E-Board also increased the Fund from $1 million to $1.2 million, but declined for now to increase it further for next year.

Vermont Business Magazine Approximately 150 Airmen from the 158th Fighter Wing in Burlington returned home from missions supporting the Pacific Command Theater Security Package, most recently in Japan. Air National Guard members were welcomed home Monday afternoon. The personnel and 10 F-16 Fighting Falcons were deployed to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan and Kunsan Air Base in South Korea.

"The Vermont Air National Guard is very proud of their contribution to regional security and stability in the Pacific," said Major General Steven Cray, the adjutant general, "We look forward to their return and reuniting them with their families."

VTANG photo shows Vermont guard members boarding their plane last April.

Vermont Business Magazine Created by legislative action during the past session, the Government Restructuring and Operations Review Commission (Commission) has begun work. The Commission is soliciting feedback and ideas on “areas where partnerships between the public and private sectors could provide long-term improvements in quality and cost-effectiveness of management or service delivery” and state government’s “consistency with a results-based and outcomes-based focus . . . .” Members of the public, businesses, service providers, partners, vendors and others who have information, suggestions, or informative experiences with how Vermont State Government is organized and operates are encouraged to get involved. Reports and recommendations will be submitted to the Vermont Legislature on February 16, 2016 and November 15, 2016.

The Commission is comprised of:

Vermont Business Magazine Washington County State’s Attorney Scott Williams and Attorney General William H Sorrell announced today that they have completed separate independent reviews of an incident involving police use of deadly force that occurred on September 11, 2015, in Fayston, Vermont. Both offices have concluded, as a matter of law, that Vermont State Police Trooper Christopher Brown was legally justified in the use of deadly force when he discharged his firearm at Robert Smallidge. The legal standard for the use of deadly force is whether the officer reasonably believed that he or a third party was in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury, and that deadly force was necessary to respond to the danger.

Vermont Business Magazine A new solar farm powering a local retirement community is helping fund the gift for a Make-A-Wish child in Vermont. The 500kW solar project sited on the farm owned by Bristol's Livingston family now powers 20 percent of operations at Wake Robin, a nearby continuing care retirement community. Vermont-based AllEarth Renewables manufactured solar trackers locally and oversaw design/construction for the project, and SolarSense served as the developer of the project. Addison County-based contractor Smith & McLain installed the project.

Through its “Watts for Wishes” charitable donation program, SolarSense is donating $7,500 to Make-A-Wish Vermont to help fund a future wish. The “Watts for Wishes" charitable donation program connects the renewable energy industry with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to provide children with life-threatening illnesses the funding to fulfill their wishes.

Vermont Business Magazine Saying the state should drop Vermont Health Connect and transition to the federal health exchange and at the same time reduce state spending to 2 percent, Bruce M Lisman today kicked off his gubernatorial campaign at the Green Mountain Dairy Farm in Sheldon. Lisman outlined his views of the challenges facing Vermont and the necessary solutions to head Vermont in a new direction. “For those who are 25 looking for their first career job, for those who are 45 and working but can’t afford to stay here, and for those who are 65 and can’t afford to live in their home and for those of any age who are thinking of leaving our state – I ask you to stick with me – I believe I have the answers,” said Lisman. SEE FULL SPEECH BELOW.

Vermont Business Magazine A three-judge Licensing Board of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Thursday granted the State of Vermont’s request that Entergy provide additional details to the State regarding reimbursements from the Vermont Yankee Decommissioning Trust Fund. Entergy filed a license amendment request a year ago to remove the requirement that it provide 30 days notice to the State and others of its intent to withdraw money from that fund. When the Vermont Attorney General and the Vermont Department of Public Service moved for a hearing on the matter, the Licensing Board agreed and granted the State’s request.

Vermont Business Magazine Killington only closed up in June and now it's all downhill from here. Killington kicked off its 2015-16 winter season at noon on Sunday, becoming the first North American resort to open for skiing and snowboarding. The first turns of the season were dedicated exclusively to Season Pass and Express Card holders, and the resort welcomed the general public on Monday, October 19, at 9 am. Killington’s operating schedule for the remainder of the week will be updated in real time at www.killington.com/conditions. Killington Resort is the largest four-season resort in Eastern North America. It's called "The Beast of the East."