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Vermont Business Magazine As President Barack Obama spotlighted problems with prisons in the United States, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) today called youth unemployment “a national disgrace” and urged Senate colleagues to support legislation to hire 1 million young people. The Senate voted on Sanders’ youth jobs bill on the same day Obama visited a federal penitentiary in Oklahoma.

“I applaud President Obama for visiting a federal penitentiary to highlight the fact that, tragically, the United States has more people in jail than any other country on earth and one of the reasons that we have so many people in jail is that we have an obscenely high level of youth unemployment,” Sanders said.

“The time has come for us to begin investing in jobs and education for our kids, not jails and incarceration,” the senator added. “Let’s create productive citizens in America, not more criminals.”

Vermont Business Magazine Hinesburg's Vermont Smoke & Cure is one of several companies nationally to receive funding from a San Francisco-based private equity firm. VMG Partners, which specializes in investing in and building branded consumer product companies in the lower middle market, announced Thursday the closing of VMG Partners III, LP with $500 million of committed capital. In addition to closing its third fund, VMG has also partnered with the founders and management teams of Health Warrior, Perfect Bar, and Vermont Smoke & Cure. Terms of the deal were not announced.

Vermont Smoke & Cure is a manufacturer and marketer of antibiotic and nitrate free, humanely raised beef, pork and turkey. It had 2014 revenues of $9.8 million ($3.5 million more than 2013) with 47 employees, according to Vermont Business Magazine.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin today announced a number of staff changes across his Administration, including in the Governor’s Office, Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), Public Service Department (PSD), and Department of Public Safety (DPS). After four and a half years, current Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Alyson Richards will be leaving the Governor’s Office. Her last day will be July 24^th.

"Aly has been a trusted member of my team, close advisor, and great friend," Shumlin said. "She has played an integral role in our efforts to expand educational opportunities for Vermont kids, helping to pass universal pre-k and secure tens of millions in federal grants that will help us expand and bolster our early childhood education system in this state. Kids born in this state are better off thanks to Aly Richard’s good work."

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin and Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn has announced the appointment of Joe Flynn as the new Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. Flynn will assume the position that is currently held by Francis (Paco) Aumand who is retiring on July 24th.

Vermont Business Magazine Area businesses and nonprofits are increasingly involved with climate change--both its challenges and opportunities. Their creative solutions are becoming a growing part of our state’s economy. The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is holding 3 public forums to hear from people already adapting and growing businesses that lower Vermont’s carbon impact and to gather ideas from the public on how to nurture this emerging field. The forums, entitled What’s Next for Vermont’s Climate Change Economy? will take place from 7-9pm at Rutland’s Paramount Theater on August 26, Contois Auditorium in Burlington on September 17, and the Latchis Theater in Brattleboro on October 6.

Vermont Business Magazine Keurig Green Mountain, Inc, (NASDAQ: GMCR), a leader in specialty coffee, coffee makers, teas and other beverages with its innovative brewing technology, has announced the launch of Green Mountain Coffee Organic – a new line of premium coffees that are both organic and Fair Trade Certified, This launch marks the first collection of a double certified line of Green Mountain Coffee® ever available for the Keurig hot brewing system. With this new Organic line, Green Mountain Coffee has also unveiled a new look, including new branding and a refreshed logo and packaging.

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.