Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is working to transform health care in our state by taking manageable steps toward health care reform on behalf of members through a new community provider value-based program: Enhanced Community Primary Care (ECPC) payments. The ECPC program joins Blue Cross VT’s growing portfolio of value-based payment initiatives including the Vermont Blue Integrated Care (VBIC) pilot, which is now entering its second year. These efforts replace previous participation in the Accountable Care Organization’s (ACO) primary care support program.

Vermont Business Magazine Last month the Commissioner of Financial Regulation ordered Colomont, Inc and its former CEO, Christopher Santee, to pay at least $419,000 in restitution to at least 375 individuals to whom Colomont and Mr. Santee sold corporate shares that were not registered with the Department of Financial Regulation (Department). Under the order, Colomont and Mr. Santee are required to repay Colomont investors the amount that each investor originally paid for their shares by no later than February 12, 2024. Colomont and Mr. Santee are also required to pay the Department an administrative penalty of $37,500. Colomont grows and sells cannabis and CBD products. Mr. Santee stepped down as CEO effective October 1, 2023, following a liver cancer diagnosis. Colomont is no longer selling shares in the firm.

Vermont Business Magazine AARP Vermont invites local eligible non-profit organizations and governments across the country to apply for the 2024 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now through March 6 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. AARP Community Challenge grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more. Now in its eighth year, the program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for all residents, especially those age 50 and older.

Vermont Business Magazine Nedde Real Estate has announced the lease of 2,463 Square feet of flex space at 1891 Williston  Road, South Burlington to Jenson Enterprises LLC d/b/a The Tree House Hardwoods. Fernando Cresta assisted the tenant and the landlord. Nedde Real Estate also has announced the lease of 1,925 Square feet of flex space at 1891 Williston  Road, South Burlington to Allied Lutherie LLC and Circle Strings, Fernando Cresta and Jaeger Nedde  assisted the tenant and the landlord. And more.

Vermont Business Magazine TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, with branches across Vermont, has announced $7 million in available grants through its 18th Annual Housing for Everyone grant program. This year, the competition will focus on non-profit organizations providing services to support independent living for marginalized community members, including rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing or transitional housing, across the Bank's Maine-to-Florida footprint and Michigan. Since its inception in 2005, the Housing for Everyone grant program has awarded more than $49 million to non-profit organizations and helped support over 550 affordable housing initiatives in the US communities TD serves.

Vermont Business Magazine RuralWorks Partners, LLC, an impact-driven investment firm in Middlebury committed to fostering rural community growth and environmental sustainability, has announced its strategic investment in American Unagi, Inc. (AU), the only producer and processor in the US of locally sourced and harvested American Eel (also known as Unagi). Located in rural Maine, this pioneering aquaculture company sells a range of live and value-add Unagi products to Michelin-star restaurants, other discerning consumers, and distributors throughout the United States. American Unagi is disrupting the traditional eel supply chain, from Maine to China, as it expands within the 5000 metric ton US market driven by consumers’ increasing demand for sustainable, traceable seafood. 

by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine Stowe Mountain Resort’s Mt. Mansfield Ski Patrol, the longest-operating ski patrol in the United States, is celebrating 90 years of service to skiers, riders and visitors to the mountain. The patrol was founded on Jan. 8, 1934. Stemming from its roots as the Mt. Manfield Ski Club, today, the Mount Mansfield Ski Patrol is tasked with assessing the mountain conditions and opening and closing trails based on conditions for the safety of guests; ensuring guests are having the best experience possible on the mountain; keeping skiers and riders safe on the mountain and assisting with any health-and-safety issues that guests or staff encounter.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Air National Guard will conduct night flying during the next two weeks to enhance operational readiness and ensure the highest level of proficiency among VTANG servicemen and women. Night flying training is scheduled from Tuesday, January 9 to Thursday, January 11, and Tuesday, January 16 to Thursday, January 18 with two takeoff and landing periods each day between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. There are no scheduled morning flights.

Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center The Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network (SCOIN) expands the MEP National Network’s scope from working primarily with individual companies to taking a more comprehensive approach to manufacturing supply chains. The initiative will help establish new MEP service offerings to provide manufacturers with what they need to improve existing supply chain networks and fill gaps in the supply chain. Also, seats remain for this Friday's Lean 101 Training – Lean Transformation in Manufacturing

Vermont Business Magazine The first phase of renovations that will create upstairs apartments and first-floor commercial space – including a new community arts space – is underway at 560 Railroad Street. The Northern Forest Center is redeveloping the historic, 15,000-square-foot property as part of its community revitalization work in St. Johnsbury. The project will create nine apartments with a mix of studio-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units and two commercial spaces. Rentals will be priced to serve median-income earners in the St. Johnsbury area. J.E. Bertrand built the building in 1909 to serve as the armory for Company D of the Vermont National Guard. The building was initially called Bertrand’s Hall and the wide-open first floor was used for Guard training as well as dances and events; the building was later converted into a hotel. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine COVID-19 cases rose last week, but despite a steady rise in hospitalizations since late summer, related fatalities have not spiked. There were 5 deaths reported by the Vermont Department of Health last week and 3 the week before, for a pandemic total now of 1,088 as of December 30, 2023 (the most recent available). The VDH reported January 3, 2024, that COVID-19 hospitalizations were up 5 last week to a statewide total of 56, which is the highest total in about a year. COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH. Reported cases last week were 417, up 48 for the week. Of the total deaths to date, 875 have been of Vermonters 70 or older. There have been 3 deaths of Vermonters under 30 since the beginning of the pandemic. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Congressional Delegation held a rally with members of the Montpelier community and the Montpelier Commission for Recovery and Resilience on the effort to restore the state capital’s post office. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont), and a representative for Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) spoke at the rally. Since the catastrophic flood damage this summer, more than five months ago, the Montpelier Post Office has operated out of a series of temporary locations, including trucks that failed to provide safe working conditions for employees or reliable service to the community.