Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Comcast today announced the completion of a project to expand its Xfinity 10G Network and deliver its full suite of Xfinity and Comcast Business services, to more than 2,000 additional homes and businesses in Vermont. The expansion connects residents and businesses in the towns of Elmore, Eden, Sudbury, Wardsboro and Wolcott as well as more addresses in areas already serviced by Comcast, including Hubbardton, Jamaica, Stratton and Morristown. The milestone is part of Comcast’s ongoing expansion in Vermont, where the company has invested more than $93 million in technology and infrastructure over the last three years – including upgrades to its local network.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH) and Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL) seek public input on proposed changes to the administrative rules governing agency designation. Agency designation rules determine the process for agencies to attain and uphold their recognition as community mental health centers and providers of intellectual and developmental disability services. Public and virtual meetings are scheduled for December 7, 12, and 18. The current administrative rules, last reviewed in 2003, could benefit from an update. This revision aims to enhance the document's accessibility and clarity, fostering a better understanding of the rules among the public and providers.

Vermont Business Magazine AM Best has removed from under review with developing implications and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICRs) of “bbb+” (Good) of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) and its subsidiary, The Vermont Health Plan, LLC. The outlook assigned to the FSR is stable while the outlook assigned to the Long-Term ICRs is negative. These companies are collectively known as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of VT Group (BCBSVT Group). Both companies are domiciled in Berlin, VT. These Credit Ratings (ratings) reflect BCBSVT Group’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its marginal operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. BCBSVT Group’s ratings were placed under review with developing implications on May 3, 2023, following the announcement of a pending formal affiliation between BCBSVT and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Mutual Insurance Company (BCBS MI). 

Vermont Business Magazine Stowe Electric Department’s public electric vehicle (EV) charging network has helped put Stowe on the map as an EV-friendly travel destination, according to Outside Magazine. The magazine’s recently published article “7 Stunning Road Trips for Electric Vehicles” features Stowe as a stop along “The Vermont Ski Road Trip: Burlington to Killington,” thanks in part to Stowe Electric’s extensive public EV charging network, including its DC Fast Chargers located at The Alchemist Brewery. Stowe Electric Department owns and maintains nine Level-2 and two Level-3 DC Fast Charging stations conveniently located throughout Stowe. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Federal Nuclear Waste Policy (FNWP) Committee of the Vermont Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel (VT NDCAP) will hold its fifth meeting of 2023 on Monday, December 4th, from 12:00 Noon to 1:15 PM.  As permitted by ACT 1 of the 2023 Vermont Legislature, this meeting will be conducted solely as a webcast and teleconference.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast (PLC) expansion beyond Maine is now well underway, and the organization has announced staff changes and additions to ensure the quality of representation and benefits offered to its members remain consistent and strong throughout the region. The staff additions and changes for the logging and forest trucking association follow the PLC’s expansion in early October, which began with contractors from the state of Vermont becoming eligible to join the PLC and marked the biggest step for the organization since it was founded by loggers in Maine in 1995. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board will hold a special meeting to review recommendations from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department on trapping and on hunting coyotes with the aid of dogs. The virtual meeting will take place at noon, Thursday, November 30, 2023.  Most board members and department staff will be attending remotely. There is an in-person option for members of the public who cannot attend virtually at the Davis Building, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT 05620.

Vermont Business Magazine Tuesday afternoon long-time Republican Activist and beloved friend Mark Candon of Rutland passed away in an automobile crash. VTGOP Chairman Paul Dame issued the following statement. “It has been a difficult morning for many Vermont Republicans who knew Mark Candon and have heard of his passing. Mark was one of the most affable and cheerful people I had the chance to work with over the years,” said Chairman Dame. “He had served as the Vice Chair of the Rutland County Republicans for nearly ten years, and was well-known throughout the state for his previous service in the legislature, his run for Congress and his election as a delegate to the Republican National Convention."

Vermont Business Magazine In a new poll released today by the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Vermont and the Flavors Hook Kids Vermont Campaign, 68% of Vermonters say they support legislation pending in the state legislature to end the sale of flavored tobacco products. Big Tobacco has relentlessly targeted youth with flavored tobacco including fruit and candy-flavored e-cigarettes, menthol-flavored cigarettes, and other flavors. A bill to end the sale of flavored tobacco products, S.18, which has already passed the Senate, will be in front of the Vermont House of Representatives in January. The poll found that support for ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products comes from a broad-based coalition of Vermonters, including voters across the political spectrum and in every area of the state. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Board of Trustees of the Vermont State Colleges today announced that Dr. Elizabeth Mauch will become the next chancellor of the system effective January 1, 2024. The Vermont State Colleges system is comprised of Community College of Vermont and Vermont State University. She will succeed Sophie Zdatny. Dr. Mauch is currently serving as president of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, where she previously served as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College. During her tenure at Bethany, she launched a collaborative strategic plan, campus master plan, and vision to lead the college through 2026. Additionally, she raised a remarkable $32 million for building renovations, programming, and a strategic enrollment campaign, including funding named scholarships and endowed professorships.

Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont’s internet service provider, Lumen, experienced a storm-related outage and fire. Lumen is working diligently to lay new fiber and have internet and phone systems back up and running as soon as possible. “We are doing everything we can to ensure our members have continued access to care, including prioritizing and expediting prior authorizations,” says Don George, President and CEO of Blue Cross VT.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Campaign for Vermont Prosperity (CFV) announced that they had commissioned a bipartisan, scientific public opinion poll of Vermonters. The survey interviewed 400 randomly selected Vermont residents to measure their feelings towards state leaders, various issues that policymakers are pursuing, and general sentiments about the direction the state is heading. The results released show that 53% of Vermonters believe the state is headed in the wrong direction, while only 35% approve of the state’s direction. When asked how respondents felt about the job Governor Scott is doing representing the issues they cared about, 64% gave a thumbs up. Conversely, the Legislature received a disapproval rating of 51%. Only 40% said they approved of the job the Legislature is doing.