Current News

Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) announces the call for nominations for the 2014 Terry Ehrich Award for Excellence in Socially Responsible Business. Members of the business community are encouraged to nominate an individual whose business practices show a commitment to the environment, the workplace and the community no later thanFriday, May 30.

Named for the late owner of Hemmings Motor News and founder of the First Day Foundation, the Terry Ehrich Award is given annually to a person who exemplifies Terry's dedication to the triple bottom line approach to business. Nominations will be judged on four criteria: Workplace Environment, Political Environment, Social Environment and Natural Environment.

Data from a new government report show that if all the structurally deficient bridges in the United States were placed end-to-end, it would take you 25 hours driving 60 miles per hour to cross them. That's like driving the 1,500 miles between Boston and Miami. And it's a problem that's close to home.

An analysis of the 2013 National Bridge Inventory database released this month by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) shows cars, trucks and school buses cross Vermont's 251 structurally compromised bridges 344,436 times every day.

The Vermont Technology Alliance in collaboration with the Vermont Technology Council has published the third edition of Tapping Tech, a print and digital publication that highlights the positive impact of Vermont’s growing technology business sector and its importance to Vermont’s economy.

Tapping Tech features Vermont companies in a range of technology business sectors, highlights the technology business ecosystem in the state, and includes a listing of Vermont companies and organizations that make up the state’s tech economy.

US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and the senior Obama administration official responsible for improving access to health care met here today with representatives from 11 community health centers throughout Vermont.

Mary Wakefield, who heads the Health Resources and Services Administration at the Department of Health and Human Services, joined Sanders at a news conference to discuss what the senator has called a crisis in primary care in the United States.

“We have made some good progress in Vermont and across the nation in the last few years but clearly we still have a long way to go,” Sanders said.

by Morgan True vtdigger.org House lawmakers are considering significant changes to a Senate-passed bill that aims to streamline the judicial process for involuntary medication of psychiatric patients.

Bill Lippert, D-Hinesburg, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, said the draft language released this week is not a final product.

“This is not a draft of the new bill by the Judiciary Committee, this is some ideas put forward that legislative counsel put in draft form,” he said.

The House Judiciary version of the bill strips out a provision that would allow simultaneous hearings for involuntary treatment and medication.

Vermont Business Magazine The following is a statement from the manufacturer of Zohydro ER, a recently approved opioid pain management medication. Governor Shumlin, in an effort to limit the abuse of prescription opioids because of their relationship to an ongoing opioid abuse problem in Vermont, through prescription medication and heroin, has called on the FDA to reverse its approval of Zohydro. The advocacy groups referenced below suggest that a broader approach needs to be taken than banning just one medication.

Vermont is not alone in its concern. Massachusetts banned the drug, but that ban was shot down in court, so on Tuesday, Governor Deval Patrick’s administration imposed what the Boston Globe called "sweeping restrictions" on prescribing the drug.

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by Hilary Niles vtdigger.org Workforce development emerged Wednesday as a wobbly cornerstone of economic development legislation being negotiated between two key House and Senate committees.

A single bill encapsulates both committees’ visions for Vermont’s economy. S.220 contains provisions for entrepreneurial lending, access to credit for small businesses, energy costs for manufacturers, domestic export promotion, computer crimes, intellectual property, demographics and tourism, to name a few.

Vermont Business Magazine Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) today reported first quarter 2014 as-reported earnings of $401.2 million, or $2.24 per share, compared with $161.4 million, or 90 cents per share, for first quarter 2013. On an operational basis, Entergy's first quarter 2014 earnings were $410.1 million, or $2.29 per share, compared with $167.7 million, or 94 cents per share, in first quarter 2013. Entergy is the owner of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon, which is scheduled to close at the end of this year. In large part, Entergy's boost in earning was because of cold weather across the East and an increase in natural gas prices in the Northeast, which drove electric prices up and made its nuclear plants more profitable. The production cost of nuclear power is essentially fixed, so the increase in overall revenues leads to an increase in net revenue.

by Dave Finney, President, Champlain College The state Legislature is working on a bill to reduce the number of school districts in Vermont, from the current 273 to between 45-55. On average, today’s school boards in Vermont focus on the education of only 300 children. The bill (H883) would create a better governance structure for public education, which would result in greater student opportunities and lower costs. While there are many facets to this bill, the following points are very clear:

· School choice within the traditional academy structure and local control will be preserved

· Educational opportunity will improve as districts share advanced courses and other offerings

· High quality early childhood education will be more accessible for all children

The King Arthur Flour Company has announced a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new manufacturing facility will take place at 4:30 pm Thursday, May 1 at 117 Billings Farm Road.

“The new facility will improve our flexibility, capacity and efficiency,” said Dean Hopkins, Director of Manufacturing. King Arthur Flour produces and packages over 275 premium-quality baking mixes, tools and ingredients in its Vermont location for retail sale through its wholesale customers, Baker’s Catalogue and Vermont store.

“We’ve operated out of a corner of our fulfillment center for many years. With this bigger, dedicated space, we can introduce more specialty products,” said Mark Tecca, Director of New Business Development. The new manufacturing facility also houses a chocolate room for the production of hand-made artisan chocolates.

Production in the new location is set to start immediately.

About King Arthur Flour

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released this month its 19th annual report of greenhouse gas emissions, showing a 3.4 percent decrease in emissions from 2011-2012.

The federal agency attributes the reduction primarily to a decline in energy consumption across all sectors of the U.S. economy, plus the decrease in carbon intensity for electricity generation due to fuel switching from coal to natural gas.

These latest scientific findings are consistent with President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, which supports the role natural gas plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a more responsible and sustainable energy future.

“Our energy policy is creating jobs and leading to a cleaner, safer planet,” noted President Obama in his State of the Union Address in January. Speaking about natural gas, he added: “. . . it’s the bridge fuel that can power our economy with less of the carbon pollution that causes climate change.”

Registration is now open for the 30th annual Vermont Chamber Business & Industry EXPO, the largest business-to-business trade show in Northern New England where over 3,000 business leaders and 200 exhibitors can connect and learn how to grow their businesses. EXPO will be at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Conference Center on May 21-22.

Business Innovation is the theme of this year’s EXPO, which is free to attendees who register before May 16th. The Vermont Chamber has assembled a powerhouse line up of national business innovators.

During the annual US Senator Leahy Business Breakfast, sponsored by VELCO, Brian Kelley, CEO, of Keurig Green Mountain, will discuss how disruptive technology and core values transformed the Vermont coffee company into a global beverage business.