Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Porter Medical Center in Middlebury announced last week that Tom Thompson will step away from his role as President and Chief Operating Officer as of today, September 18, in order to focus his time and energy on a pressing family health matter. Porter is a member of The University of Vermont Health Network. Effective September 18, Bob Ortmyer will begin serving the UVM Health Network in a dual role as Porter’s Interim President and Chief Operating Officer, in addition to his current role as President and at The University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) wants to hear from you. VCBB has released Vermont’s Draft BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) Initial Proposal Volume 2 and wants your comments. This draft is the second part of the draft proposal to explain how the state will spend Vermont’s $229 million federal allocation to expand high-speed internet access. Volume 2 outlines the process Vermont will use to select the Internet Service Providers who will receive BEAD money to build out unserved and underserved addresses and details the requirements these providers must meet to be eligible for funding.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets The Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Virus has been detected in mosquito pools collected in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. One horse death associated with these detections was reported. The Vermont Department of Health and The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets are evaluating response options. Industries that have employees that work outdoors can take steps to minimize employee exposure to this disease. There is no approved vaccine for people or preventive medicine. The best way to prevent EEE is to prevent mosquito bites.

by Joy Choquette, Vermont Business Magazine Billed as a wonderful spot for outdoor adventurists, Franklin County sits on the northwestern tip of the state. It borders Quebec and is less than an hour from New York state. The county has a long history of agriculture. It still produces a great deal of milk and maple syrup, but has several other industries too. One of these is tourism. Another is manufacturing. Small retailers and specialty food establishments along with health care round out the area’s business landscape. The largest employer is the county’s hospital, Northwestern Medical Center, followed by pharmaceutical manufacturer Viatris, Ben & Jerry’s, chocolate producer Barry Callebaut, and men’s and boys’ clothing manufacturer Peerless Clothing. All reside in the county seat, St. Albans. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police investigation is continuing Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, into a fatal shooting that occurred Friday night in Waltham. The victim is identified as Michelle Kilbreth, 48, a resident of McKnight Lane. An autopsy was completed Saturday at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington. The medical examiner determined the cause of her death was gunshot wounds to the torso, and the manner of death is a homicide. According to evidence and witness statements, the situation unfolded when Ms. Kilbreth got into a physical altercation with another woman who also lived in the neighborhood. Ms. Kilbreth had a handgun in her possession. At some point, Ms. Kilbreth lost possession of the gun, and a juvenile picked up the weapon and fired it, striking Ms. Kilbreth multiple times.

Vermont Business Magazine A group of local organizations concerned about Vermont’s sustainability, wellbeing, and prosperity is now exploring a potential law to do exactly that. This week, the Vermont Prosperity Project will host Sophie Howe, the first ever “Future Generations Commissioner” of Wales from 2016 to 2023, who will speak at the University of Vermont and with legislators. The role of Future Generations Commissioner results from Wales’ landmark Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, which became law in 2015 after widespread public consultation asking: “What kind of Wales do you want to leave for your children and grandchildren?” The Vermont organizers believe that such a law makes sense here. They say they are further inspired by last month’s landmark Montana court decision that youth have a constitutional right to a healthy environment.

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, the town of Bennington, Vermont, was transformed into Garlic Town, USA for a day-long celebration of all things garlic and the last days of summer. Over 7,200 residents and visitors from across the country gathered to savor the pungent delight of garlic in its many forms, making this year's event a great success. Organized by the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Garlic Town, USA 2023 aimed to not only celebrate garlic, but to focus on agriculture, arts and community. With more than 125 vendors, various cooking demonstrations, live music, two main bars, kids’ activities and an array of garlic-infused activities, the festival exceeded expectations. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Concert Artists Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation recently awarded $120,000 in grant funding to support live classical music performances in Chittenden County. The grant awards, to be paid over two years, support programming from June 2023 to June 2025. The fund was formed in 2005 with the goal of supporting and encouraging live classical music in Chittenden County. The program has awarded over $950,000 to classical music organizations performing in Chittenden County since its launch.

Vermont Business Magazine This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will have traffic impacts on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont for the week of September 18, 2023. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.   

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Flannel Co. and Vermont Teddy Bear announced on Friday the launch of a new product: the Vermont Flannel Bear. Dressed in a cozy Vermont Flannel shirt, the 15” handcrafted honey bear is designed to give and receive a lifetime of love, comfort, and cuddles. Featuring fully-jointed, classic Vermont Teddy Bear construction and an organic cotton shirt complete with a Vermont Flannel label and buttons, Vermont Flannel Bear is a beloved heirloom gift for kids ages 3 to 103. Using a combination of ultra-soft organic cotton flannel, the softest fur, and 100% recycled stuffing, each bear is meticulously hand cut and sewn in Vermont by Vermont artisans.

Vermont Business Magazine The Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce is putting out an appeal for its chamber members to update their web listings and contact information in preparation for the organization’s new database and web site programs. The chamber is partnering with a nationwide company that specifically caters to chambers. The new system will integrate seamlessly across the organization’s five member-based data programs: the web site, database, directory, newsletter and financial software.

Vermont Business Magazine Since 1983, Primmer attorneys have been recognized as the Best Lawyers in America. For the past 40 years, the law firm of Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer has had attorneys named on the Best Lawyers in America list. This year, the firm had 21 attorneys recognized by the 2024 edition of the publication. Primmer also had three attorneys named as the prestigious “Lawyer of the Year”, an award that only is awarded to one attorney for that specific practice area in a specific business community.