Current News

Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center To help manufacturers better understand the basics of a well-managed supply chain and identify where resources should be focused to bring the most benefit to their organizations, CMTC (California’s MEP Center) and Manufacturer’s Edge (Colorado’s MEP Center) have partnered to develop a three-part “Supply Chain 101” webinar series. VMEC has been invited to partner in this second webinar of the series, Thursday, April 18, 1-2 pm.

Vermont Business Magazine Verizon has reported that East Barre had the most increased cell traffic of anywhere in the US for customers on Verizon’s network. When they compared the number of Verizon customers and traffic data on a typical recent Monday (March 25) with those of Monday, April 8 (the day of the eclipse), East Barre, Vermont was the U.S. city along the eclipse path with both the most dramatic percentage increase in Verizon customers (up 6,936 percent) AND the largest percentage increase in upload change: up a staggering 33,767 percent – reflecting an astounding number of customers streaming and sharing pictures and video of the eclipse in real time.

Saint Michael's College On April 8, 2024, the Saint Michael’s community experienced the solar eclipse together on campus with astrophysicist Alain Brizard, Saint Michael's Professor of Physics, who guided the experience. The surreal, over-powering, jaw-dropping display was captured through multimedia by a team of people. Also, Saint Michael’s College Biology Professor Mark Lubkowitz’s years of corn genetics research with dozens of students was recently recognized through a prestigious international award.  

Vermont Business Magazine Championed by a category-building new brand, single vintage spirits have suddenly shot to prominence. But how does this year’s BHAKTA bourbon vintage release stack up against last year’s surprise industry blockbuster? BHAKTA Spirits, the world’s preeminent House of Vintages, has announced the launch of its second-ever bourbon vintage, BHAKTA 2014 Bourbon (SRP $149) — solidifying the brand’s signature concept of single-year spirits into a new tradition that will see it offer allocated, collectible vintage releases on an annual basis. Curated from the global cellars of Whistlepig Whiskey Founder Raj Peter Bhakta, this year’s annual release is a transatlantic coupling of brash American bourbon and exquisite French craftsmanship conceived to showcase the complexity, variability, and nuance that defines the vintage segment. Critics, collectors, and consumers widely see single-year spirits as the next frontier of hyper-specificity and industry innovation; BHAKTA has positioned itself as both the architect and champion of the category.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is investigating a measles exposure among 26 people in Vermont who are part of an international program. The 18 teenagers and eight adults were exposed to an unvaccinated person with a confirmed case of measles traveling to the U.S. There are no confirmed cases of measles currently in Vermont. State health officials are working with the individuals to obtain vaccination records and test for the virus and immunity. At this time, none of them have been diagnosed with measles. The group is quarantining during this process, and the risk of transmission to members of the public is low. To protect patient confidentiality, the Health Department will not release individual personal health information. The Department will continue to provide important updates, as well as public health recommendations and guidance.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Edward A. Curran, 39, of Rutland, Vermont, was arraigned today on five felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. The charges brought against Mr. Curran are the result of a criminal investigation, including the execution of a residential search warrant, conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), including personnel from the Attorney General’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. The investigation was initiated when VT-ICAC received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip was reported by Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. after an individual uploaded files of suspected child sexual abuse materials onto their cloud storage servers. 

Vermont Business Magazine Over 100 tourism and hospitality industry leaders gathered at the State House on April 11 to engage with legislators and raise awareness of the collective contributions of these industries to the Vermont economy. “Tourism Economy Day,” convened by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Ski Vermont, brought businesses together to advocate for a thriving Vermont visitor economy. The Vermont visitor economy has a $3 billion annual economic impact, supports 35,000 jobs, and represents 11.5% of our workforce. Businesses, legislative leaders, and Administration officials collaborated for a day of advocacy that elevated the collective contributions of the visitor economy to Vermont. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) Board Chair Larry Reilly and President and CEO Tom Dunn announce the appointment of Karin Chamberlain as a new Director, and the unanimous election of Cheryl Mullins to the position of Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. VELCO is based in Rutland. As the Director of Impact Investing at Clean Yield Asset Management, VELCO’s newest VELCO Board member Karin Chamberlain brings with her a wealth of experience in sustainable investment, community engagement and Board service. Karin is responsible for developing and implementing Clean Yield’s Impact Investment strategy, focusing on alternative investments in regenerative agriculture, renewable energy, social justice and racial equity in Vermont and beyond. Cheryl Mullins, previously serving as VELCO’s Senior Director of Human Resources, steps into her new role as Vice President where she will continue to spearhead initiatives that foster a collaborative, innovative, and highly engaged work environment. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has appointed Chris Gomez of Rutland to Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA)’s Board of Commissioners. Chris Gomez is the President/CEO of Heritage Family Credit Union (HFCU), headquartered in Rutland Vermont. Heritage Family Credit Union is a VHFA participating lender offering low-cost mortgages to VHFA home buyers. It has $730 million in assets serving 50,000 members.  Prior to joining HFCU, Chris was Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer at Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union. Chris brings over 20 years of experience in banking and management. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union has announced the opening of its newest branch in the heart of Barre, Vermont. This expansion underscores the credit union's continued growth and unwavering dedication to delivering top-notch financial services to communities throughout Vermont. At the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 11, 2024, Vermont Federal Credit Union also presented a check for $15,000 to Capstone Community Action, a Barre-based nonprofit organization that supports individuals and families in Central Vermont in achieving stability and rising out of poverty. Community support is crucial to Vermont Federal Credit Union's mission and vision. 

Vermont Business Magazine KeyBank (NYSE: KEY), with branches across Vermont, has earned its 11th consecutive "Outstanding" rating from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on its most recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) exam. KeyBank has maintained a rating of "Outstanding" from the OCC for 11 consecutive review periods since the Act's passage in 1977.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-09) are urging their colleagues to pass the bipartisan Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act now so millions of working families and students that rely on high-speed internet can stay connected to their work and school. The bipartisan Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act would provide $7 billion for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides affordable high-speed internet options to qualifying households across the U.S. Over 23 million Americans utilize the ACP, and over 3 million ACP subscribers are families with students on free or reduced lunch programs. Over 1.3 million college-aged people are enrolled in the program, and enrollees aged 18-49 represent more than half of all ACP subscribers.