Current News

Public Assets Institute Vermont employers added almost 20,000 jobs after the official end of the recession in June 2009. But most of that gain merely made up for lost ground. Before the recession, non-farm payroll jobs in Vermont peaked at 309,600 in June 2007. Last month, with employers adding 1,000 jobs, the total reached a new high of 314,700.

Vermont’s jobless rate has remained among the lowest in the country for the last few years. But younger workers are not sharing that good fortune. According to US Census data, unemployment among men ages 20 to 24 was just under 8 percent in 2014, and about 10 percent for women in that age group. The jobless rate for 45-to-64-year-old women was about half the state average.

Vermont Business Magazine Three batches of mosquitoes from Springfield, Vermont, tested positive for West Nile virus by the Health Department laboratory. This is the first detection of West Nile virus this year in Vermont. The mosquitoes were collected by the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets on July 22. West Nile virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. The first human case of West Nile virus was reported in 2002, and the virus has been detected in every county in the state.

Three people became ill with the infection in 2012.

“Finding mosquitoes with West Nile virus this time of year is not unusual,” said Patsy Kelso, state epidemiologist for infectious disease. “Late summer is when the risk of human illness is highest, so we’re reminding everyone to talk precautions to avoid mosquito bites.”

Vermont Business Magazine eQHealth Solutions, a population health company encompassing technology solutions and medical management services based in Baton Rouge, has been selected to provide the care management IT platform for the Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA). Under this agreement, eQHealth Solutions, in partnership with Cognizant (CTSH), will provide a comprehensive care management system tailored to meet the specific needs of the DVHA. eQHealth’s technology and care coordination services expertise in combination with Cognizant’s leading healthcare and technology services and solutions will provide DVHA a complete care management platform. This will support DVHA in their quality goal initiatives for Vermont’s publically funded health insurance beneficiaries.

by Anne Galloway vtdigger.org The state will continue benefits for disabled Vermonters for 60 days while lawyers prepare for arguments in a discrimination case. Vermont Legal Aid agreed to the extension period last Thursday. The class-action lawsuit filed by Vermont Legal Aid on July 23 alleges that the reduction, which the Legislature approved in the fiscal year 2016 state budget, is unconstitutional and that it discriminates against households with family members with a disability.

Sandy Paritz, Poverty Law Project director at Vermont Legal Aid, said cuts that were already made for the August 1 distribution of benefits would be restored by the state.

Vermont Business Magazine The members of the VNAs of Vermont (VNAVT), the not-for-profit VNAs and Home Health and Hospice Agencies in the state, have been selected as pilot agencies for the Medicare Care Choices Model (MCCM) demonstration grant which will allow the agencies to provide extensive palliative care and care management services to patients who qualify for hospice care but chose not to enroll in the hospice program.

“This is especially good news for terminally ill Vermonters who are seriously ill but, for a variety of reasons, choose not to enroll in our hospice programs,” said Peter Cobb, VNAs of Vermont Executive Director. This model will allow them to receive select hospice services while continuing to receive curative care services concurrently which are not allowed under the hospice rules.”

Vermont Business Magazine Citizens Bank has announced it has introduced Touch ID authentication to its award-winning mobile banking app for iPhone® models 5S, 6 and 6 Plus. The latest enhancement is part of Citizens’ Bank Better commitment to make banking simple, clear and personal.

Touch ID, which uses a customer’s fingerprint to authenticate, enables customers to quickly login and access the features in the Citizens Mobile Banking app for iPhone with the press of a finger.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Lisa Ventriss, President of Vermont Business Roundtable (VBR) and Jeffrey Carr, President, Economic & Policy Resources (EPR), announced the 2nd Quarter results of their joint initiative, the VBR-EPR Business Conditions Survey. The survey, which is conducted quarterly, provides both a look back at the previous quarter and a predictive index going forward. The data for both the backward and forward-looking questions are weighted to the Vermont economy by sector employment and turned into “diffusion indices”. These diffusion indices provide a tool for analyzing and presenting insight into the Vermont economy over time through the sentiments of the Roundtable members.

Vermont Business Magazine President Obama today announced the finalization of America's Clean Power Plan, the biggest step the United States has ever taken to combat climate change. This plan sets the first-ever carbon pollution standards for power plants, while providing states and utilities with the flexibility they need to meet those standards.

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) issued the following statement after President Obama unveiled new environmental regulations to combat climate change and promote renewable energy.

Vermont Business Magazine Conservation Law Foundation and Vermont Natural Resources Council today sought dismissal of the Act 250 application for a proposed multi-use development, including a new tourism center, off Exit 4 in Randolph. "The Applicant utterly failed to show that the proposed project meets the clear Act 250 standards for protecting valuable farmland. A recent Recess Order from the District Commission confirms the project's shortcomings. The appropriate action is to dismiss the Applicant's request," said Sandra Levine, Senior Attorney at the Conservation Law Foundation.

Vermont Business Magazine A motion was filed today by AARP Vermont with the Vermont Public Service Board showing that Vermont Gas Systems (VGS) has failed to disclose highly material information with the Board in relation to their Addison Natural Gas Project. The evidence concerns lawsuits between their primary pipeline contractor, Over and Under Piping Contractors, Inc. As it turns out, VGS has never had a signed contract with the firm, terminated them last November and the contractor is suing for over $11 million and has placed contractor liens on VGS real property and pipeline equipment. Much of this information was not disclosed to regulators when the company was testifying to the projected costs of the project.

Vermont Business Magazine Open Farm Week begins today with an intriguing mix of on-farm tastings, activities and entertainment. More than 85 farms across the state will open their gates to the public this week. All participating farms, activities, directions, and hours of operation can be found at www.DigInVt.com.

Here are some of the events happening today, August 3:

Northwest:
Trillium Hill Farm's 10th Birthday- Farm tour, farm-grown dinner and live music.
Boston Post Dairy, LLC- Taste farmstead cheese, maple, and other products, visit the animals, and take a hike on the Missisquoi Valley Trail.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Cheese Council (VCC) has announced that Vermont took home 46 ribbons from 20 cheesemakers at the 32nd annual American Cheese Society competition in Providence, RI. Notable awards include a third place Best In Show designation for Cellars at Jasper Hill’s (Greensboro) Harbison, and ribbons by brand new VCC members Fairy Tale Farm Cheese (Bridport) and Sweet Rowen Farmstead (West Glover).

The American Cheese Society (ACS) is the leading organization supporting the understanding, appreciation and promotion of farmstead, artisan and specialty cheeses produced in the Americas. Since its founding in 1983, ACS hosts North America’s foremost annual educational conference and world-renowned cheese judging and competition. This year’s competition included 1,779 entries from 267 companies across North America.