Current News

Applied Energy Technologies (AET), a preferred supplier of utility-scale racking systems and one of the top 10 solar racking companies in the United States, and juwi Inc. (juwi), a leading renewable energy company based in Boulder, Colorado, have completed a 3.6 MW solar installation project in Essex Junction, Vermont, one of the largest in the state.

AET managed the installation of its Rayport-G ECO ground mount racking product on the 13-acre site, providing racking and foundation installation along with predrilling for post installation. AET also installed more than 11,000 solar modules on the racking system as part of its world class engineering, manufacturing and installation (EMI) service.

Vermont businesses are hiring and Governor Peter Shumlin joined with 14 of them today to highlight thousands of open positions around the state. The Governor also encouraged job seekers interested in advanced manufacturing to attend a job fair this Thursday, April 30th, organized by the Vermont Department of Labor for IBM, to be held at the Sheraton in Burlington from noon to 6 pm. No pre-registration is required.

“Vermont has many businesses looking for qualified workers right now,” Shumlin said. “It is incredibly gratifying to see employers grow and thrive right here in the Green Mountain State. Today I’m standing with 14 businesses that currently have over 700 open jobs, but that is just a fraction of the thousands of job openings statewide. With unemployment back to pre-recession levels and employers hiring, we’re moving in the right direction.”

Honeywell (NYSE: HON) and NASA's award-winning, hip-hop physics education program, FMA Live! Forces in Motion, is making its way to Northeastern US middle schools this spring. Aiming to inspire students to learn and enjoy math and science in a compelling, fun and memorable way, the popular show is in high demand, having been performed before 400,000 students in all 48 contiguous US states, as well as in Mexico and Canada, since its creation in 2004. After wrapping up in New Hampshire last week, the spring tour will continue its way across Vermont with shows planned at middle schools in Northfield and Montpelier this week.

Merchants Bancshares, Inc (NASDAQ: MBVT), the parent company of Merchants Bank, and NUVO Bank & Trust Company have revealed details of the acquisition terms first reported on Monday. The banking companies have jointly announced the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which Merchants Bancshares, Inc will acquire NUVO Bank & Trust Company for approximately $21.8 million in stock and cash, which represents $7.15 per share.

Headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts, NUVO is small financial institution focused on providing business loans, deposits and cash management services to small and medium-sized businesses and individuals in western Massachusetts. At December 31, 2014, NUVO reported approximately $153 million in assets, $139 million in loans and $134 million in deposits. Merchants had approximately $1.7 billion in total assets as of December 31, 2014, with total shareholders' equity of approximately $125.8 million.

The parent company of Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc (NYSE: BHLB), has reported $0.50 in core earnings per share in the first quarter of 2015, which was a 19% increase over first quarter results in the prior year. Profit growth has been due to higher revenues from continued business momentum. First quarter core EPS increased by 4% from $0.48 in the fourth quarter of 2014. GAAP EPS totaled $0.35 per share in the most recent quarter compared to $0.46 in the linked quarter. Earnings in both periods were impacted by non-core charges related primarily to growth and restructuring, including charges related to the acquisition of Hampden Bancorp, which was completed on April 17, 2015.

FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (comparisons are to prior quarter unless otherwise stated):

All teens are at risk for substance abuse, and parents are the #1 influence on their decision to not drink alcohol or do drugs. The Vermont Department of Health has just redesigned and expanded its ParentUpvt.org website to include many new resources and interactive tools that take into account differing parenting styles.

“By setting clear rules, limiting access to alcohol and refusing to host underage drinking parties, parents can protect children from consequences that may affect them for the rest of their lives,” said Deputy Commissioner Barbara Cimaglio.

Teens who drink before the age of 15 are more likely to experience academic failure, engage in risky sexual behavior, become alcohol dependent and develop other substance abuse problems.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and Jennings has been recognized by the 32nd Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards with a Gold and Silver Award in recognition of the hospital’s Emergency Department “Rapid Care” campaign. With nearly 3,500 entries, the Healthcare Advertising Awards, sponsored by the Healthcare Marketing Report (HMR), is the oldest, largest and most widely respected advertising awards competition in the country and one of the ten largest of all advertising awards.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s Rapid Care campaign was comprised of various print, digital, and direct mail pieces that utilized a striking blue background offset with large, white icons depicting various accidents, such as falling off a ladder or toppling over the handlebars of a bicycle.

After an extensive search committee process, Bobbe Maynes, the President of the Board of Directors of the Cancer Patient Support Foundation, (CPS) announced that Sarah Lemnah, of St. Albans, was named the first executive director. CPS has been providing services and support to cancer patients and their families in Vermont and northern New York for over 14 years.

Lemnah previously was the Director of Development & Communications for Champlain Valley Agency on Aging for 9 years. She is the past president of VERG (Vermont Elder Resource Group) and was formerly the producer and host of "Aging Matters" heard on WOKO/WKOL/WJOY/WIZN/WBTZ. In addition, she was a contributing columnist on health and aging issues for Vermont Maturity Magazine and the Burlington Free Press.

by Mike Barwell Dartmouth-Hitchcock (D-H) is among 100 leading employers named by the White House and US Department of Labor committed to helping millions of front-line workers climb up the career ladder and earn higher wages. The announcement was made Friday at the White House Upskill Summit.

The Obama Administration announced new steps to help realize the full potential of America’s workforce by empowering workers with the education and training they need to develop new skills and earn higher wages. During his State of the Union address earlier this year, the President launched a new Upskill Initiative, calling on businesses to help workers of all ages earn a shot at better, higher-paying jobs, even if they do not have a higher education.

Vermont was first in the nation to deliver supplemental food to young families through the Health Department's WIC (Women, Infants & Children) program, and for years was last in the nation to keep making home deliveries. Beginning in July in Rutland, WIC families will choose their foods at major supermarkets and smaller grocery stores using a new, gold WIC debit card. Between October 2015 and March 2016 the WIC card will roll out to families statewide.

"Being able to shop throughout the month, when families need food, provides more flexibility for families," said Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD. "The card is about convenience, choice and control."

WIC, the federal special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. WIC has helped pregnant women, new mothers, and young children eat well, learn about nutrition and stay healthy.

Vermont Federal Credit Union was recently honored with a Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness Award. In recognition of their efforts to promote the health and wellness of employees over the past year, Vermont Federal Credit Union received a Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness award. The award was presented at the 2015 Worksite Wellness conference at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center in Burlington. There to accept the award on behalf of the Credit Union were Kellie Oliver, Human Resources Specialist, and Cynthia Turner, Vice President of Human Resources at the Credit Union.

Merchants Bancshares, Inc (NASDAQ: MBVT), the parent company of Merchants Bank, today announced net income of $3.34 million, or $0.53 per basic and diluted share for the first quarter of 2015. This compares to net income of $3.40 million, or $0.54 per basic and diluted share for the first quarter of 2014. The return on average assets was 0.78% for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to 0.81% for the same period in 2014. The return on average equity was 10.56% for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to 11.31% for the same period in 2014. Merchants Bancshares' Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.28 per share, payable May 25, 2015, to shareholders of record as of May 11, 2015.