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by Jon Anderson The Vermont Legislature recently enacted Act 64, “An act relating to improving the quality of state waters.” On August 14, 2015, the United States Environmental Protection Agency proposed a draft phosphorus total maximum daily load (“TMDL”) limit for Lake Champlain, which will be finalized later this year. Together, the two documents establish a framework for improving the quality of Vermont’s waters, including the prevention of blue-green algae blooms in Lake Champlain.

Vermont Business Magazine New Englanders could have saved approximately $3.7 billion in wholesale electricity costs during the 2013-2014 ‘Polar Vortex’ winter had the proposed Northeast Energy Direct Project (NED) been in service, according to a study by ICF International, commissioned by Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, LLC (TGP), a Kinder Morgan, Inc (NYSE: KMI) company. The study also concluded that the additional gas capacity that NED would provide could generate $2.1 billion to $2.8 billion in annual savings going forward for New England electric consumers under normal weather conditions.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor will be sponsoring a large Job Fair on Tuesday, September 15, 2015, at the Sheraton Inn & Conference Center on Williston Road, South Burlington, Vt. The event is free to all, and doors will open to the public at 10:00 AM and will close at 5:30 PM. The interest from the Vermont business community has been strong, with more than 60 employers scheduled to attend, hoping to meet and greet with job seekers. Some of the largest employers in the state will be attending. VDOL encourages all job seekers to come, and recommends that job-seekers dress in business attire and bring resumes to present to employers.

The state was initially motivated to schedule a job fair in September by the 200 layoffs Keurig Green Mountain announced in early August.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin today announced the allocation of $2.37 million in state tax incentives for 27 projects, supporting nearly $40 million in downtown and village center construction and rehabilitation projects. Two municipalities will receive sales tax reallocation dollars. In Winooski, the money will support public infrastructure improvements associated with a new downtown hotel. In Montpelier, the award will be used in conjunction with a new multi-modal transit center along the Winooski River.

“It is my pleasure to announce the recipients of the 2015 Downtown and Village Center tax credits – incentives that will support significant redevelopment efforts being made by Vermonters around the State,” Shumlin said. “When we put state dollars to work revitalizing our communities, we not only support local economic development but we also build a better and stronger future for Vermont.”

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Wednesday announced $500,000 in grants to four Vermont community organizations in the latest round of funding to prevent and address youth substance abuse in the state. The grants will fund community-based approaches to preventing youth substance abuse, including prescription drugs, heroin, marijuana, tobacco and alcohol. The grants were part of $86 million awarded to nearly 700 communities across the country in Drug-Free Communities Support Program grants by the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The program is a federal grant program that has funded more than 2000 coalitions and currently mobilizes 9000 community volunteers across the country.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has approved nearly $11.8 million in financing for commercial, agricultural, energy and small business projects totaling $29 million. VEDA approved more than $5.07 million through the Authority’s Vermont 504 Loan Program. VEDA’s Vermont 504 Corporation, with SBA’s approval, makes SBA 504 loans to eligible and qualified borrowers, funding these loans through SBA-guaranteed debentures which are sold to private investors. The proceeds of the debenture are subsequently loaned to the borrower.

“VEDA is pleased to provide financing for projects that will help small businesses grow, strengthen family farms, and increase the availability of renewable energy in Vermont,” said Jo Bradley, VEDA Chief Executive Officer.

Included among the projects approved for financing through the Vermont 504 Loan Program:

Vermont Business Magazine Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott made it official Tuesday one day after WCAX-TV reported from the Northfield Labor Day Parade that Scott would run for governor. The popular contractor and race car driver is the second Republican to jump in following Bruce Lisman's announcement last week. Last year's runnerup to Governor Peter Shumlin is also considering a run. WCAX reported that businessman Scott Milne also said at the parade that he is still considering another run for governor. Meanwhile, the only Democrats to have declared so far are Speaker of the House Shap Smith and Google executive and 2010 candidate Matt Dunne.

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Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Attorney General and the Green Mountain Care Board received support last week in US Supreme Court litigation defending VHCURES, Vermont’s all-payer health care database. The federal government, eighteen States, and numerous public health organizations filed briefs that underscore the importance of Vermont’s and similar databases to improving health care nationwide. “These filings from the federal government and other States are powerful statements that bolster Vermont’s position at the Supreme Court,” Sorrell explained. “Far from being preempted by federal law, Vermont’s program is part of a federally supported national effort to improve health care through sound research and data-driven policies.”

Vermont Business Magazine SW Cole Engineering, Inc, headquartered in Bangor, Maine, has acquired the construction materials testing division of EIV Technical Services, a Williston, Vermont-based firm that provides services in the fields of civil engineering, construction inspection, hydrology, survey, environmental permitting, and historic assessment. SW Cole Engineering Inc, a 36-year-old geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing and geoenvironmental services firm with 90 employees and offices in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, has acquired EIV’s construction materials testing equipment and their laboratory and is currently accepting applications for field and laboratory technicians. EIV will retain all of its services aside from construction materials testing and will continue to grow and operate in Williston.

Vermont Business Magazine As part of Governor Peter Shumlin’s health care reform agenda, Vermont launched in 2014 an effort to encourage health care providers to better coordinate care for patients, reduce unnecessary tests, improve health outcomes, and save money in a health care system that is spending it faster than Vermonters can afford. The year-one results are in and they show that the effort helped avoid $14.6 million in health care costs last year alone.

“The constant rise in health care costs is the single largest drag on affordability in this state,” Shumlin said. “Our goal going into this program was to figure out how to spend less money while keeping Vermonters healthy. The success we had in year one is incredibly encouraging and shows that we’re on the right track when it comes to bending the cost curve on a health care system that spends money faster than Vermonters can earn it.”

Vermont Business Magazine Cathedral Square has appointed Kim Fitzgerald as its new CEO. For 15 years, Kim has served in many capacities within Cathedral Square, a Vermont-based nonprofit organization. In the last three years Kim has held the combined role of Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

“I joined Cathedral Square 15 years ago to be part of an organization I truly believe in,” states Fitzgerald. “Today, I am grateful for the opportunity to lead our amazing team and achieve our vision of creating healthy environments where Vermonters have access to affordable homes and the health and service supports they need.”

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin today joined with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), US Attorney Eric Miller, and Vermont Sherriff Association President Roger Marcoux to announce a drug take-back day in Vermont on September 26^th from 10 am to 2 pm. Vermont’s drug take-back day is part of a nationwide effort being led by the DEA to ensure the safe disposal of unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs.