Current News

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) said on Sunday that he would take his presidential campaign to all corners of the country to highlight poverty in the United States and unite the nation behind ways to help working families and the collapsing middle class. He also detailed policy differences with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, another Democratic presidential candidate.

“The American people understand that establishment politics and establishment economics are not working for the middle class and working families of this country and they want real change. They want to end the absurdity of seeing the middle class in this country continue its 40-year decline,” Sanders said in an interview on the CBS News program “Face the Nation.”

by Morgan True vtdigger.org Problems at Rutland Mental Health Services prompted a legislative hearing last week, which was a prelude to a review of all local designated agencies in the next legislative session. State officials placed Rutland Mental Health Services on probationary status this month. The nonprofit, which has an exclusive contract to provide social services in Rutland County, has seven months to create and implement plans to improve services that officials have described as subpar. Rutland Mental Health is one of 11 designated agencies in Vermont. The agencies receive state contracts to provide mental health, developmental disability and substance use services. The agencies receive more than $300 million from the state each year, and RMH receives more than $28 million annually.

Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund The VSJF Flexible Capital Fund has invested $285,000 in new and existing portfolio companies between 2013 through 1st quarter 2015. It remains the only Vermont licensed lender to offer royalty loans at a Vermont scale and as an alternative to equity financing. Since its launch in 2011, it has invested over $1.7 million in seven companies, and have already seen one early payout. Revenues in 2014 for its portfolio companies totaled $23.8 million in aggregate - a weighted increase of 62 percent over 2013 revenues. Five of our six companies (in 2014) increased sales growth with each year following the Flex Fund investment.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) announced grants today totaling $5,215,623 to develop and rehabilitate 216 affordable homes, to protect 377 acres of agricultural land on three farms, to conserve 340 acres of forest land in the towns of Pownal, Shrewsbury and Mendon, and to provide permanent public access to a swimming hole in Johnson. Housing developments and rehabilitation projects were funded in the towns of Bennington, Springfield, Fair Haven, Waltham and South Burlington. Farmland conservation projects were funded in the towns of Ferrisburgh, Morgan, Cornwall and Bridport.

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program helps adults at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes reduce their risk for developing the disease by taking steps that will improve their overall health and well-being. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-led evidence-based program is delivered over a 12 month period in a supportive small group classroom setting. Sixteen weekly one-hour sessions are followed by eight monthly sessions. Facilitated by trained lifestyle coaches Teri Kneipp and Nancy Schaefer, the class is scheduled to begin July 21, 2015 and will be held at the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital from 3:00 – 4:00 PM.

Through a partnership with the Greater Burlington YMCA and Vermont Blueprint for Health (Department of Vermont Health Access) this program is being offered to Vermonters free of charge.

by Mike Smith Political announcements from several Democrats should be coming soon. The word is that Vermont House Speaker Shap Smith will announce this month that he intends to run for governor. Matt Dunne is reportedly very busy working the phones, calling around measuring support for a run too. And Governor Peter Shumlin is said to be discreetly calling Democrats promoting his secretary of transportation, Sue Minter, who is also working to coalesce support for a campaign.

Make-A-Wish Vermont and the Vermont Lake Monsters are teaming up for Make-A-Wish Family Night sponsored by Precyse at historic Centennial Field in Burlington on Monday, July 13 as the Lake Monsters take on the West Virginia Black Bears.

“At Precyse, we are committed to connecting with our colleagues and the community. We are proud to be a sponsor of the ballpark event,” said Chris Powell, CEO, Precyse. “I am looking forward to attending with our colleagues and our families. It’s going to be a fun night and a great way to support the Make-A-Wish foundation here in Vermont.”

The Lake Monsters and beloved mascot CHAMP have long supported Vermont Wish Kids and families. Most recently, CHAMP helped host a big “wish reveal” when 12-year-old Milton resident Zack found out his wish to meet Tom Brady was coming true. CHAMP was the first one to share the special news at a surprise party at the Upper Deck Pub in South Burlington.

Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC), based in Johnson, is encouraging its members to conserve energy for today, July 13 between the hours of noon and 5 pm when demand for electricity is expected to spike as a result of high temperatures throughout New England.

Here is what Coop memebers can do to help beat the peak:

On Monday between 12 pm and 5 pm

• Turn off all unnecessary lights.
• Try not to use major appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers.
• Raise your thermostat or air conditioner by 3 degrees.

VEC implements the Beat the Peak program to promote conservation during peak energy events. According to CEO Dave Hallquist, “If VEC members can collectively beat the peak by conserving electricity during peak energy times, this helps to control costs that impact electric rates. “In a cooperative, when one member conserves, we all save.” explained Hallquist.

Vermont Business Magazine Representatives from the Vermont State Colleges, the University of Vermont, and the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs have announced a new education benefit for veterans and military-connected students. As of July 1, all veterans qualify for in-state tuition rates regardless of their residency status. This benefit will remove a barrier to higher education for veterans.

Jeb Spaulding, Chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges, praised the new policy Monday at the Montpelier campus of the Community College of Vermont. "We are indebted to our nation’s veterans and are pleased to offer in-state tuition rates to all who come to the Vermont State Colleges to further their education."

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont — one of the most prolific universities producing Peace Corps volunteers after graduation — has deepened its connection to the Peace Corps and to global service by becoming an official Peace Corps Prep institution. The University of Vermont recently ranked Number 7 among top volunteer-producing colleges and universities across the country, with 25 alumni currently serving worldwide. Since the agency’s founding in 1961, 857 UVM alumni have served in the Peace Corps.

by Governor Peter Shumlin As we work to make sure Vermont’s economy works for every Vermonter, our focus has to be on growing jobs and opportunity statewide, especially in more rural parts of the state that were hit hardest by the Great Recession. That’s why I was so proud this week to stand with the leadership of Vermed, a medical device manufacturer in Bellows Falls, to announce a state economic growth award that will help the company add additional jobs and ensure they remain committed to growing their manufacturing business in rural Vermont.