Current News

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.

by Erin Mansfield vtdigger.org An oversupply of milk is bringing down prices in the Northeast and driving large dairy cooperatives to dump their product in manure pits, experts say. Although low prices for milk products can be a short-term positive for consumers, the low prices are causing a hard time for farmers who otherwise enjoyed the benefits of record high milk prices for the past five years.

That’s according to Doug Dimento, a spokesperson for the Agri-Mark dairy cooperative based in Massachusetts. The cooperative includes milk-processing plants in Middlebury and St Albans and has been forced to dump skim milk at its processing plant in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Vermont Business Magazine After 15 years of offering Vermont’s most romantic getaway, the Lilac Inn Bed and Breakfast of Brandon has been awarded the prestigious Hall of Fame Award of Distinction by the travel website Trip Advisor. Owners and innkeepers Doug and Shelly Sawyer were especially pleased that the award was based on visitor feedback.

“Over the years, we always kept a diary in each room for guests to leave comments about their stay,” said Shelly. “Now Trip Advisor allows everyone to see what guests say about our property—and we could not be happier. This award is wonderful recognition for our inn, and a great way to get the word out about our destination weddings.”

Vermont Business Magazine At the upcoming national Retail Summit in Washington, four Vermonters will be awarded for excellence. Andrew Brewer of Onion River Sports in Montpelier, Marc Sherman of Stowe Mercantile in Stowe, Trudy Trombley of Truly Trudy's Boutique also in Stowe and Todd Keyworth of Harborside Harvest Market in North Hero have been recognized as “America’s Retail Champions” by the National Retail Federation – the world’s largest retail trade association.

This notable recognition was extended for their advocacy and engagement on behalf of the retail industry, an industry that supports one in four American jobs.