Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Norfolk & Dedham (N&D), based in Dedham, MA, and Union Mutual, based in Montpelier, with a combined 350 years of delivering quality service and insurance products, are excited to announce their intent to affiliate, subject to regulatory approval.  Both companies are rated A (Excellent) with a Stable outlook by AM Best. The affiliation brings a unified next step toward mutual growth and resilience for both companies, their employees, policyholders, agents, community partners and vendors. Joel P. Murray and Lisa L. Keysar will remain President and CEO of their respective organizations. Murray will serve as Board Chair of the combined group. N&D reported assets of $838 million in 2022. Union Mutual reported $385.1 million in 2022.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) is pleased to announce the addition of Whitney Valentine-Wafer to its team. Whitney brings over 20 years of finance, accounting, and business operations to VMEC, specializing in a mix of non-profit organizations and for-profit organizations, with a specific for-profit emphasis on manufacturing and inventory-based businesses. For the three years prior to joining VMEC, Whitney’s focus was acting as a consultant and fractional CFO to small to medium-sized businesses, helping them build scalable and sound financial and business operations. New to Vermont in 2022 after spending the previous 15 years in Northern California, Whitney lives in White River Junction. In her spare time, she is a sewist and a mixed media artist.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) today announced the recipients of more than $8.6 million in federal funds for municipal grant projects through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and Municipal Highways and Stormwater Mitigation Program (MHSMP). “These diverse projects will help continue to enhance and expand Vermont’s transportation infrastructure,” said Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn. “Improvements to sidewalks, bike paths, and shared-use paths provide Vermonters more transportation options and improve their quality of life.”

Vermont Business Magazine Treasurer Pieciak announced that Vermont has selected Colorado as a partner state to help establish the state’s public retirement program, VT Saves. Vermont and Colorado will now negotiate a partnership agreement, and once established, the partnership will put VT Saves on track to launch by the end of the year, providing tens of thousands of Vermonters access to a workplace retirement plan faster than anticipated. Last year Colorado launched Colorado SecureSavings, an auto-IRA retirement savings program similar to VT Saves. In the first 14 months of Coloardo SecureSavings, over 14,000 employers enrolled in the program, accumulating more than $50 million of assets under management, and supporting a more secure retirement tens of thousands of Coloradans. Maine and Delaware have also partnered with Colorado forming an interstate consortium of state-run retirement savings programs intended to reduce costs to users and improve efficiencies. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas announced today a two-part series of virtual forums which her office will co-host with the League of Women Voters of Vermont (LWVVT) to discuss Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). As interest has grown in RCV, in the state legislature and among municipalities, interest groups and voters, the Secretary and LWVVT hope these discussions will inform the debate and raise the profile of this system of voting.

Vermont Business Magazine House Speaker Jill Krowinski issued the following statement regarding the Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry decision to not recommend articles of impeachment for Sheriff John Grismore: “I thank the members of the Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry, who for months have worked diligently and impartially on these important matters. While the Committee is not recommending articles of impeachment for Sheriff Grismore, they made it clear that Mr. Grismore remaining in office is a detriment to the citizens of Franklin County. The Committee heard from many individuals, and while the report lays out a list of concerning actions that are completely unacceptable of an elected official, it does not meet the high bar for impeachment."

Vermont Business Magazine As the historic eclipse darkened the skies over New England Monday, Green Mountain Power (GMP) turned to its growing network of stored energy in batteries to replace solar production and meet grid needs. It was seamless, carbon free, and cost-saving for all GMP customers. Customers participating in GMP’s groundbreaking Frequency Regulation pilot program shared stored energy from their home batteries to help regional grid operator, ISO-New England (ISO-NE), maintain a steady flow of energy across the region as the solar production dipped. GMP’s entire network of stored energy then flowed, to offset peak energy costs as usage increased later in the day.  The dual uses of energy storage in this unique celestial event highlights why GMP is continuing to grow its energy storage programs for customers.

Vermont Business Magazine Warmer weather and chirping chicks mark the springtime return of wild birds and backyard flocks. As coops and nests are made ready, state health and agriculture officials are reminding people to know how to keep themselves and our feathered friends healthy. Domesticated birds kept for producing eggs or meat can carry harmful bacteria, including Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli, that make people sick.

Vermont Business Magazine In recognition of Financial Literacy Month, Citizens today announced $15,000 in financial empowerment grants to support three Vermont nonprofit organizations as part of the bank’s Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money program. Through funding and volunteerism, Citizens will support local financial literacy partners that provide training to empower communities to achieve financial wellness and build brighter futures. This years’ funding recipients in Vermont, include: Champlain Housing Trust; Vermont Works for Women Inc; United Way of Northwest Vermont Inc.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today released a draft legislative proposal to address the Long COVID crisis that is negatively impacting the health of some 22 million Americans. Before formally introducing this legislation in the Senate, the HELP Committee wants to hear from the Long COVID community to get their views on how this proposal can be improved and strengthened to effectively deal with this public health emergency. The committee is particularly interested in hearing from Long COVID patients and their families, scientific researchers, and medical professionals. The public input on the proposal will help inform the legislation that Chair Sanders introduces.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Goddard College's Board of Trustees announced that despite decades of dedicated efforts to sustain the institution, they have ultimately arrived at the heart-wrenching decision to close the College’s doors. Facing financial insolvency, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to close the Plainfield institution at the end of the current semester, citing a significant and persistent decline in enrollment since the 1970s as the determining factor that made the decision unavoidable. Established in 1938, Goddard College has been a beacon of educational experimentation, renowned for its radical approach to learning. For over eight decades, it has nurtured students, fostered creativity, critical thinking and social consciousness. Goddard has long been recognized as a leader in educational innovation, with institutions across the country adopting many of its advances, including student work programs, adult education, student portfolios and individualized learning.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that COVID-19 cases fell again from 58 to 44 to now 32, their lowest level since last summer. In addition, hospitalizations remain at a low level, and fatalities have eased back. There were 3 fatalities in this report. The pandemic death total now stands at 1,144 as of March 30, 2024 (the most recent data available). Total reported deaths in January were 28, which is the highest monthly total in a year, but only 16 in February and 10 so far reported in March. The VDH reported last week that COVID-19 hospitalizations were at a statewide total of 8, which is among the lowest they've been since last summer. COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH.