Current News

by Rob Roper Tucked away in the education bill just passed in Montpelier – the one that has everybody talking about consolidation – is $300,000 earmarked for a study. A legislator familiar with the back-room horse-trading that goes into moving these bills into law said that this little provision was key to getting the bill passed; its absence a potential deal breaker.

So what is this study for, and why the fuss?

The study will explore putting a number on what Vermont taxpayers really need to spend in order to provide an “adequate” education – a very important term with legal implications. In a recent article by VPR, Speaker of the House Shap Smith (D- Morristown) justified the need for this study, saying, “Many people these days are asking whether the per-pupil spending average that we have is too high or too low.” Too low? Really?

Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) The Lake Champlain Basin Program released its 2015 State of the Lake report on June 30. The report states that, “although water quality trends in Lake Champlain are cause for concern. . .more than 85 percent of Lake Champlain’s water is consistently of excellent quality and another 13 percent of the water is usually in quite good condition. In the remaining 2 percent of the Lake, conditions are seasonally alarming. The most compromised parts of the Lake are St Albans and Missisquoi Bays … and the South Lake”.

Vermont Business Magazine Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) has chosen UVM Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center as a 2015 ‘Northeast Business Leader for Energy Efficiency’ for its efforts to foster the economy and protect the environment via its commitment to energy efficiency. UVM Health Network – CVMC was one of 14 organizations named as Business Leaders for 2015.

The hospital is being honored for its continued efforts to advance energy efficiency in its operations. UVM Health Network – CVMC has worked closely with Efficiency Vermont, the statewide energy efficiency utility, for the past five years to make efficiency improvements, which have resulted in a 26% reduction in total energy consumption. These efforts have cut hospital energy use by 1.6 million kilowatt-hours and over 100,000 gallons of fuel oil each year, translating to annual cost savings of $500,000.

Vermont Business Magazine Farmers across Vermont will throw open their barn doors and garden gates to welcome the public for a behind-the-scenes look at Vermont’s vibrant working landscape. Vermont’s first Open Farm Week will be held Monday, August 3 – Sunday, August 9, 2015. Open Farm Week is a weeklong celebration of Vermont farms. Over 100 farms are participating, many of whom are not usually open to the public. Open Farm Week offers Vermonters and visitors alike educational opportunities to learn more about local food origins, authentic agritourism experiences, and the chance to build relationships with local farmers. Activities vary and may include milking cows and goats, harvesting vegetables, collecting eggs, tasting farm fresh food, scavenger hunts, hayrides, farm dinners, and live music.

by Alexa Mucklow After two years in its Shelburne location, the popular homegrown retailer, Common Deer, is excited to announce its move to Burlington. On Friday, July 17, 2015 at 10 am it will open its doors to the public at its new downtown location at 210 College Street, just off of Church Street, next to the North Face store and across from My Little Cupcake. Common Deer first opened its doors in October 2013, quickly becoming a destination shop for gifts, accessories, and décor. Whether it's a vintage find, local artisan creation, sourced from a small designer maker, fair trade, or just plain made in the USA, Common Deer's owner Sharon Beal knows the story behind each and every product in her store.

Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) July is National Lakes Appreciation Month -- a great time to immerse yourself in water and dive into lake issues. The Early Summer Ripples E-news from LCC talks about the State of the Lake, why Lake Champlain beaches are north of river outlets, and how degraded water quality affects property values. You'll also find updates on LCC's work, calendar of events, a journal excerpt about a paddle down the lake, and lake news from near and far.

Vermont Business Magazine A new law that aims to give kids a jump start on saving for college by opening a savings account for every child born in Vermont got a boost today when Governor Peter Shumlin accepted the first donation – $25,000 from President and CEO of Subaru of New England Ernie Boch Jr – to help fund the program and make it a reality.

“I want to express heartfelt gratitude to Subaru of New England and Ernie Boch Jr for this generous donation to Vermont’s future,” Shumlin said. “Even a small amount of money deposited when a child is born can greatly increase the likelihood of that child entering and graduating college. These funds will help ensure a brighter future for children born in Vermont.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Peace Corps and Saint Michael’s College have announced a new partnership that will offer students a unique combination of undergraduate coursework and community service that prepares them for a career in international development. Saint Michael’s College students will be able to apply to the new Peace Corps Prep program for enrollment beginning spring semester of the 2015-1016 academic year. Saint Michael’s College recently ranked No. 20 among top volunteer-producing colleges and universities across the country, with nine alumni currently volunteering worldwide. Since the agency’s founding in 1961, 183 Saint Michael’s alumni have served in the Peace Corps.

Vermont Business Magazine Beginning on July 1, retailers were required to assess a new 6 percent sales tax (7 percent in local option towns) to “soft drinks” as recently redefined by lawmakers. Included in the tax changes enacted by the Vermont Legislature last month, is a new sales tax on a wide variety of beverages sold at retail stores. While referred to as a “soft drink” tax, the definition adopted is not only on carbonation beverages but rather applies to beverages that contain a sweetener (diet or regular).

"Soft Drinks" mean non-alcoholic beverages that contain natural or artificial sweeteners. "Soft drinks" do not include beverages that contain milk or milk products, soy, rice or similar milk substitutes, or greater than fifty percent of vegetable or fruit juice by volume.

Among the list of taxable beverages:

· Most sodas, but not unsweetened club soda and seltzers;

· Ice teas, but not unsweetened teas

Vermont Business Magazine Hannaford Supermarkets has donated $20,000 to support an innovative nutrition program for primary care patients at The University of Vermont Medical Center . The “Health Care Shares” initiative, created in partnership with the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC), provides free vegetables, nutrition education and cooking tips to lower income patients at primary care clinics in Colchester, South Burlington and Milton. The produce is grown, harvested and delivered by the (VYCC).

Vermont Business Magazine State Director, Linda Rossi, announced that Charley Ininger has been selected as the 2015 State Star of Vermont Small Business Development Center. Charles (Charley) Ininger is the Area Business Advisor for Central Vermont, serving Washington and Lamoille counties, and is the statewide Craft Beverage Specialist. Ininger joined VtSBDC in 2009 and has worked on the “Small Business Jobs Act,” focused on job creation as well as a disaster recovery grant helping businesses mitigate future risk with improved planning. Prior to VtSBDC, Charley owned several businesses in Vermont and was a consultant in the hospitality industry and an adjunct instructor at local colleges.