Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals’ technical members have voted to ratify a new three-year contract for University of Vermont Medical Center technical professional employees. The contract, running from March 1, 2023, to April 30, 2026, includes wage increases in line with the UVM Health Network’s compensation philosophy, both immediate and across the life of the three-year contract, as well as other amendments to the previous technical contract which expired on March 1. According to the agreement, most members of the bargaining unit are receiving immediate wage increases ranging from 6.5 percent to 25.6 percent.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) in partnership with the Vermont Department of Labor and Vermont Tech are starting a new Broadband Installer Technician apprenticeship program. It will provide free training at locations across the state for people who want to start a career as a maintenance technician, splicer, or installer.

The course will include safety training, flagger training, classroom work, and online OSHA training. When finished, candidates will enter an industry with potential for high paying jobs with opportunity for growth. These jobs can lead to careers in information technology trades, smart grid, and engineering trades.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) announces a second list of grant awards from a new competitive round of Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) funding. Approximately $200,000 will be awarded to nine organizations that have diverse projects to purchase from socially disadvantaged Vermont farmers and producers and distribute to underserved community members across the state. Awards include $50,000 to SUSU commUNITY Farm to launch an expanded free CSA program for BIPOC families and new refugees; $37,319 to Conscious Homestead to expand their Community Care Share Program to distribute locally grown and produced food from BIPOC-operated enterprises to members of Black and Brown communities; and $25,500 to Healthy Roots Collaborative to purchase and distribute local food to 20 Northwest Farmacy CSA recipients and 8 NOTCH Clinic mini-fridges.

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Businesses Association (BBA) is pleased to announce two new changes in leadership positions of its Board of Directors. Chelsea Condos is the BBA’s new Chair of the Board and Christian Kuzia is the board’s new Vice-Chair. Chelsea Condos, is a senior tax manager at Gallagher and Flynn. She first joined the BBA board in 2017, is a South Burlington native, and is a seasoned tax accountant who returned to Vermont recently after spending 13 years working for KPMG in Atlanta and Boston. Christian Kuzia, incoming Vice-Chair of the Board, works for Westport Hospitality, and is the general manager of the Courtyard Burlington Harbor Hotel. He joined BBA’s Board in 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine Beginning at 7 pm on Tuesday, March 7th, Chittenden County residents should tune in to Town Meeting TV’s “Town Meeting Day 2023” election results program airing live on Comcast channel 1087, Burlington Telecom channels 17 and 217, www.ch17.tv, and www.YouTube.com/TownMeetingTV. In addition to comprehensive results for Chittenden County races, this year's “Town Meeting Day 2023” election results program will feature interviews with voters at the polls, conversations with newly elected representatives, and commentary by local politicians and pundits.

by Heidi Tringe & Neale Lunderville When Vermont faces an acute crisis – floods, pandemics, national security events – our first thought is often: “Call out the Guard.” With a phone call from the Governor, the women and men of the Vermont National Guard drop everything to help our beloved state in its time of greatest need. From Tropical Storm Irene to Covid-19, the Guard is critical to Vermont’s response, relief, and recovery efforts. When our national leaders need some of the most well-trained and advanced units in the military – from specialized winter operations to advanced fighter missions – their first thought is often: “Put the Vermonters ahead.”

Leonine Public Affairs Vermont lawmakers hustled to finish work on priority legislation this week as the 2023 legislative session barreled toward the Town Meeting Week break. Legislative traffic control became increasingly tricky as policy committees worked to simultaneously pass legislation in time for crossover and approve their recommendations for the FY2024 budget. The House and Senate Appropriations committees held a public hearing on the FY2024 budget, with the House committee three weeks away from approving its version of the annual spending bill. There was also a noticeable uptick in illness in the statehouse - from bad colds to the flu to COVID-19 - which saw an increase in mask usage and the absence of a number of lawmakers, staffers, lobbyists and journalists.

Vermont Business Magazine It’s a new day here at the WhistlePig Farm in Shoreham, the heart of the Green Mountains... And a new dawn for the future of Single Malt. Introducing The Béhôlden, a whiskey so rare and so fanciful it makes unicorns seem quaint by comparison. In fact, forget about those horned horsies. We’re talking about something far more serious than fairy tale – the new world’s first super-aged Single Malt. WhistlePig 21 Single Malt Whiskey: The Béhôlden is here to outdare tradition, change course on the chieftain o' the puddin-race, and liberate American palates from the haggis quo.

Vermont Business Magazine Skullcandy, the #1 selling brand in true wireless earbuds under $100, announced today its all-new collaboration with Burton, the world's leading snowboard brand. The limited-edition collection includes Skullcandy fan-favorites Crusher Evo true wireless headphones, along with Push Active and Mod true wireless earbuds. Each offering features a bold asymmetrical aesthetic in a unique Naughty Nature colorway inspired by nature's wild energy and the drive to push boundaries on and off the mountain. The collaboration is available globally, exclusively on Skullcandy.com. Both a Skullcandy and Burton ambassador, Olympic Gold Medalist and three-time female Snowboarder of the Year Anna Gasser, lends her image to the Skullcandy x Burton collaboration. She not only drives progress in her sport but in her community as well, pushing boundaries and inspiring up-and-comers to follow their dreams.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Senate advanced S.5, the Affordable Heat Act, on a 19-10 vote. The bill will now head to the House of Representatives. The Senate would need 20 votes to override a possible veto of the bill by Governor Scott, who has voiced his displeasure with the current wording of S.5. "In Vermont, 73% of the energy in the thermal sector comes from fossil fuels, and every bit of that energy is imported, meaning those dollars are leaving our local economy. This policy would create a blueprint for a sector-wide transition for fossil fuel heating providers, requiring them to help their customers stay warm with cleaner, renewable energy sources and phase out the use of fossil fuels over time."

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) held a press conference today at the Howrigan Dairy Farm in Sheldon, VT, calling for passage of the DAIRY PRIDE Act to reverse a proposed FDA rule allowing beverages derived from plants to be labeled ‘milk’. The rule poses a serious threat to the already-precarious dairy industry in Vermont and risks creating confusion among consumers. The Senator was joined by Howrigan Dairy Farm owner and Dairy Farmers of America Northeast Area Director Harold Howrigan, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts, and Agri-Mark member and farmer Joanna Lidback.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Governor Phil Scott tapped a maple tree at the Connor Maple Farm in St Albans today to recognize the beginning of the new maple season. The governor was joined by Mike and Joanne Connor and their family, Senator Peter Welch, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts and a large contingent of area children, all excited to see the sap run and get a taste of Vermont’s sweet season. The Connor Family has operated their maple syrup business since 2011. They have 9,000 taps in St. Albans Town that produces over 3,300 gallons of Vermont maple syrup each year.