Current News

Vermont Business Magazine AFT Vermont reported Friday that the members of the Vermont State Colleges Part Time Faculty Federation have overwhelmingly voted to ratify their new contract, which will be in effect until August 31, 2017. The contract includes many new gains, including 5 percent retroactive salary increases and increased compensation for graduate courses and overload work. Union negotiators also preserved other important benefits for faculty, such as 7% matching retirement contributions and tuition waivers for faculty and their dependents.

by Mike Smith At least one person in every campaign must have the responsibility of providing the candidate with an unvarnished assessment of his or her strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes it’s the campaign manager. In some situations it is a spouse. But often this responsibility falls to a longtime friend the candidate trusts.

The job requires someone who can objectively evaluate data, perhaps from polls, is a good listener and observer, and has keen political instincts. Most importantly, this person must be able to dispassionately synthesize all information in order to convey accurate and candid feedback to the candidate in a way that is taken seriously enough to solicit a change or create action, if that is what is required. If this adviser does the job right, the candidate — who often may not like what he or she hears — will value the advice and more easily navigate the path to victory.

Vermont Business Magazine Business Bikers, participants in Road Pitch 2015, and the Vermont community are invited to join the Candidates running for Governor of the State of Vermont at Gov Pitch 2016. In keeping with the spirit of Road Pitch 2015 – each Candidate will give a 3 minute “pitch” on how they plan to stimulate the entrepreneurial environment in Vermont.

Gov Pitch 2016 will be held on Monday, October 26, 2015, 6 pm to 8 pm, Flynn Space, 153 Main St, Burlington, Vermont. Tickets are $15.00 and are available at http://www.flynntix.org/Productions/Details.aspx?perfNo=12872&perfCodePrefix=OFZ16G. All proceeds will benefit United Way of Chittenden County.

Vermont Business Magazine Ski Vermont has expanded its brand relationships. It works with Vermont brands and companies that share a goal to reach skiers and riders in a unique way. Ski Vermont has had long-standing relationships with brands like Cabot cheese, Ben & Jerry’s, Long Trail and Woodchuck Cider and has announced two new partners and an expanded partnership for the 2015-16 ski and ride season. Skida headwear has become the official hat of Ski Vermont, Dale of Norway is a new clothing partner and Burton has expanded their support supplying the Ski Vermont team with snowboards and apparel, bags from their Durable Goods line, and helmets and goggles from anon.

Skida Headwear

Vermont Business Magazine Former Reddit staffer Victoria Taylor is among the speakers at the ninth Vermont Tech Jam, a free job fair and tech expo which takes place Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24, 2015, at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel and Conference Center. Taylor, former Reddit talent manager and coordinator of its popular Ask Me Anything series, will emcee a series of short talks called the Tech Tank.

by Representative Tom Stevens Since the legislature adjourned this spring, my friends, neighbors and constituents have asked me what their elected officials did this year to help "the little guy." In most cases, they are referring to middle and working class Vermonters who are striving to pay their bills, keep their families healthy and safe, and meet the day-to-day demands of jobs, homes, and communities. It’s an important question, and one that’s worth digging into. Distinguishing the middle class​ ​in Vermont is ​difficult ​because our income groups don't diverge all that much. Most of us consider ourselves "the little guy" and the facts bear that out. ​In a state of 314,000 income tax payers, ​most of us – about 270,000 ​ – make less than $100,000 a year​. More starkly, ​a​bout​ 200,000 of our Vermont taxpayers make less than ​$​50,000 – that’s 63%.

Vermont Business Magazine Marlboro College has launched the Renaissance Scholars program, a full tuition scholarship that seeks extraordinary students from across the nation who possess intense intellectual passions, a desire to leave the world better than they found it, and the tenacity to realize their most ambitious goals. The Renaissance Scholars program will award a full tuition scholarship to a single student in all 50 states, and the District of Columbia. Scholarships are valued at $38,000 per year and are renewable for four consecutive years of study, contingent of good academic and community standing. Selection criteria are based on each student's leadership, innovation, perseverance, and community service.

by Erin Mansfield vtdigger.org Vermont’s largest health insurance provider says its members still call with complaints over Vermont Health Connect and the company’s auditors are waiting for regular customer billing reconciliations. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is now recommending that the Legislature start an assessment of the exchange’s “long-term sustainability” and says they should hire an independent consultant to analyze the exchange’s technology, long-term costs and other compliance issues with the Affordable Care Act. Open enrollment begins November 1.

Vermont Business Magazine Last spring, Intrawest, Powdr and Boyne Resorts jointly launched the new and revolutionary M.A.X. Pass and it’s available now for the 2015-2016 winter season for skiers at Killington, Pico and Stratton resorts in Vermont. This “Multi-Alpine Experience” ski pass gives skiers and snowboarders access to 22 unique and legendary mountains across North America for the 2015-2016 season. M.A.X.

by Governor Peter Shumlin When we talk about renewable energy, the focus is often on the project – the solar panel or the wind turbine that allow us to harness local, Vermont-grown energy to power homes and business around the state. But if we dig deeper we find that renewable energy projects are about more than the panel or the turbine. Below the surface there is much more – an entire supply chain that supports 16,000 Vermont jobs, efforts to preserve Vermont’s heritage and culture, and hundreds of thousands of Vermonters who are saving money on their energy bills.

Vermont Business Magazine The Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau, a division of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce the launch of their newest program, Adopt-An-Attraction. In 2015, the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau revisited the Clinton County Destination Master Plan. This plan outlines goals to grow the lake region destination, helping to draw visitors to the area, staying in local lodging properties and discovering area attractions. During the planning process history was identified as a core strength. Growing the areas heritage tourism with unique visitor experiences, will create a need for visitors to extend their stay.

by Seth Goodall, Small Business Administrator, New England Administrator - Throughout Vermont, thousands of locally owned independent stores will be participating in annual Small Business Saturday on November 28th. Small Business Saturday is dedicated to supporting small businesses throughout Vermont and the country. Launched by American Express in 2010, it has grown each year. It has led to increased sales and has shoppers “thinking small” throughout the holiday season. According to the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, consumers spent more than $14 billion in 2014. That amount topples the $5.7 billion spent at independent merchants on Small Business Saturday in 2013. That is a staggering sum for an event in only its fifth year.