Current News

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, was joined by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) in introducing the Renewable Energy Certainty Act, legislation to facilitate renewable energy buildout at federal facilities by extending the maximum length of Federal Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) to 30 years for renewable energy and cogeneration/combined heat and power facilities. By establishing a longer pay-back period, the bill will make clean energy investments more economically viable and help ensure that the federal government receives the best possible terms, saving taxpayers money. Renewable energy developers will also benefit from the much-needed stability of long-term PPAs.  

Vermont Business Magazine Commissioner Kevin Gaffney announced the approval of payments from the Department of Financial Regulation’s (DFR) Victim Restitution Fund to 21 investors who lost significant portions of their retirement savings due to their investment adviser’s misconduct. The Department brought an enforcement action and obtained an Order against Thomas M. Chadwick, Chadwick & D’Amato, LLC, and Chadwick Consulting, LLC (“Chadwick”) for violating fiduciary duties to clients and investing in unsuitable, high-risk products. DFR ordered Chadwick to pay restitution to Vermonters in the amount of $1,652,708.61. Chadwick, however, has failed to pay the victims to date.

Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center VMEC has announced their newest partnership with Northfield Savings Bank (NSB) to support small and medium-sized manufacturers. NSB will contribute $60,000 over a two-year period ($30,000 per year) to create a “Maker’s Fund” through VMEC. The fund will be used to provide a range of services, based on operational needs, to manufacturers with 20 or less employees to sustain and grow their businesses. VMEC will carry out the work designed to help our Vermont manufacturers sustain and grow. The partnership began October 1, 2024 and will extend to September 30, 2026.

Bromley Mountain Resort The crew took advantage of some cold nights earlier this week and fired up the snowguns on Upper Twister and Corkscrew. They are off to a great start as we march closer to our projected opening day, Friday, November 29 (weather permitting).

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott recently proclaimed November as Adoption Month in Vermont. “Adoption makes a significant difference in the lives of children who need a permanent, loving home to grow up in,” said Governor Phil Scott. “I am appreciative of those who have stepped up and opened their homes to offer a stable and safe environment and encourage others to do the same.” Project Family, a partnership between Lund and DCF, works to find permanent families for children and youth. However, more families are needed, especially for teens, since the chances of a child under 8 years old being adopted are almost nine times greater than for one over 14.

by Lori Fisher, LCC Executive Director In late October Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) community science volunteer Ashley Leemans tossed an aquatic rake into Lake Champlain and pulled in a clam while doing a routine monitoring check for aquatic invasive species (AIS) at the South Bay Boat Launch in Whitehall, New York. Ashley immediately reported her finding complete with photos to LCC and we followed up with state agencies who conducted further analysis and confirmed our suspicions that the mollusk was golden clam (Corbicula fluminea). The aggressive AIS has been documented in the region since 2008, but the October 2024 sighting is the first known confirmation in Lake Champlain. Native to the eastern Mediterranean, Asia, Africa, and Australia golden clam is hermaphroditic, meaning a single individual can reproduce and start a new population. The species is known to reproduce quickly in other waterbodies in northeastern North America.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment on October 16, 2024 charging Michael Robistow, 49, of Willis, Texas, with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Robistow entered a plea of not guilty to the charges today during an arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. According to court records and statements made at today’s arraignment, on June 9, 2024, U.S. Coast Guard personnel on Lake Champlain boarded Robistow’s vessel, the “Sonata,” to conduct a safety inspection. Robistow and his wife were the only two people aboard the vessel at the time of the Coast Guard boarding. During the inspection, Coast Guard personnel learned of the presence of a firearm in a cabinet in the helm of the vessel. That firearm was temporarily detained for the safety of Coast Guard personnel. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the UVM Health Network (UVMHN) announced its plans to shutter many essential patient care services around the state, including mental health care, primary care clinics, and dialysis centers. The decision comes on the heels of the Green Mountain Care Board’s order to reign in administrative and managerial bloat, citing data that UVMHN ranks among the worst in the nation in these areas when compared with similarly sized health networks. 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.11 per gallon, down 1 cent per gallon from last week. They're down 7 cents/g from last month and down 41 cents/g from last year. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.86/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 43.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.08/g today. The national average is down 12 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 27 cents per gallon lower than a year ago

Vermont Business Magazine Lieutenant Governor-elect John Rodgers announced today the appointment of Elizabeth Brown of Waterbury as his chief of staff. “Elizabeth has demonstrated a strong commitment of service to Vermont and Vermonters.” Rodgers said. “A gifted team leader and trusted administrator, she brings valuable experience from the private sector to her new role, and I’m grateful for her willingness to serve Vermonters alongside me.” Brown was a Democratic candidate for Vermont House of Representatives from Waterbury. She came up short in last summer's primary against incumbents Theresa Wood and Tom Stevens.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) announced today that Sarah Hofmann as a new Board Member. Hofmann was appointed to fill the vacancy resulting from the October resignation of former VCBB Board Member Holly Groschner. Hofmann was appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Jill Krowinski, to fill a three-year term from February 2024 to February 2027. Hofmann served on the Vermont Public Utility Commission from 2015 to 2021. She served on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Board of Directors and as a member of the Executive Committee, the Telecommunications Committee and the Subcommittee on Nuclear Issues.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s healthcare system, for patients, providers across the spectrum, and payers, is severely strained. While Vermonters struggle with a healthcare affordability crisis, those providing us critical care face financial uncertainty. Vermont’s demographic and housing challenges create a difficult environment for our healthcare system, and today’s announcement by UVMMC reflects the seriousness of these issues. The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) is deeply concerned about the impact of UVMMC’s decisions on patients, its dedicated staff, and the broader healthcare system. Yesterday, the GMCB learned of UVMMC’s decisions to reduce services and positions. The GMCB was not consulted on, and did not approve, these reductions. The GMCB is reaching out to UVMMC to better understand UVMMC’s rationale and how it evaluated alternatives, such as those identified in the GMCB’s budget and enforcement orders.