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Win Smith: Handing over the reins

Thu, 08/13/2020 - 1:20pm -- tim

by Win Smith, President, Sugarbush Resort When we announced the decision to sell Sugarbush to Alterra Mountain Company this past November, I said that I would continue as President and Chief Operating Officer for awhile in order to ensure a smooth transition and to make certain that the right successor was ready to take the reins. Now, nine months later, I believe that the time is right to step down, and I will be retiring from my enjoyable second career effective September 1. I will, however, remain a senior advisor, acting as a resource for our leadership team as needed.

Sugarbush names Hammond president and CEO

Thu, 08/13/2020 - 1:19pm -- tim

​Vermont Business Magazine Sugarbush Resort has announced that John Hammond, formerly Vice President of Mountain Operations and Recreational Services, will be stepping into the role of President and Chief Operating Officer. The announcement coincides with former owner and current President and COO, Win Smith, announcing his retirement. While Smith will continue on as an advisor to the current leadership team, he leaves behind a lasting legacy at Sugarbush, having owned the resort from September, 2001 to January, 2020. 

Scott announces over $3 million in downtown tax credits

Thu, 08/13/2020 - 1:08pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the recipients of $3.2 million in Downtown and Village Center tax credits to support 30 projects in 27 Vermont communities. The tax credits will support over $160 million in downtown, village center and rehabilitation projects. This includes over $500,000 to support redevelopment of two properties in downtown Springfield: a former manufacturing facility that will be converted into multi-family housing, and the former Park Street School, which will be redeveloped into a multi-use facility with space for a business accelerator with co-working and private commercial space, studio apartments, and community use of the former gymnasium and 800-seat theater.

GMP: Time running out on enhanced rebates for heat pumps, e-bikes, electric mowers

Thu, 08/13/2020 - 12:42pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is reminding customers that enhanced rebates on products that help save energy and money while reducing carbon pollution will close at the end of the month. GMP’s popular Go, Save and Share Green initiative increased rebates on electric mowers, electric bikes, heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. To get the larger rebates, customers need proof of purchase on or before August 31.

Weekly unemployment claims fall below 1000

Thu, 08/13/2020 - 12:08pm -- tim

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims fell steeply last week and below 1,000 claims for the first time since the early weeks of the pandemic. Nationally, claims fell under 1 million. The Vermont unemployment trust fund has added over $3 million since last week and remains in a strong position. After a steep decline as the economy began to reopen in April, initial unemployment claims for the last several weeks flattened, rose slightly and now are falling consistently. For the week ending August 8, 2020, the Labor Department processed 904 Initial Claims, down 356 from the previous week and 615 more than the same time last year. Summer typically produces the lowest UI numbers.

The secret to a successful fall semester? It's testing, testing, testing

Thu, 08/13/2020 - 11:59am -- tim

by University of Vermont President Suresh V Garimella Hardly a day goes by without a story in the news media on the unsettled state of higher education this fall. The importance of opening our campuses is not in dispute. The question is: Can we do it safely? Colleges and universities are implementing an array of programs to answer that question affirmatively, limiting classrooms to half or a quarter of their capacity, investing in online education for hybrid teaching, banning athletic events and other large gatherings, re-engineering dining services and residence halls, and putting programs in place that test for the virus.

Fish & Wildlife celebrates 100th Wildlife Management Area in 100 years

Thu, 08/13/2020 - 11:45am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, along with the Shrewsbury community and the Vermont Land Trust, are celebrating the conservation of their 100th Wildlife Management Area (WMA), coincidentally, in the 100th year of department WMA ownership and management in Vermont. On August 4th, the department established the new Wildlife Management Area, a 526.7-acre property in the Town of Shrewsbury. Originally settled in the late 1700s, the site was later purchased by the Town in 1870 to create a town farm to house the poor. The town farm was abandoned by 1903 and despite exchanging hands several times over the years, it has remained undeveloped, aside from the scattered stone walls and foundations that preserve the old town farm.

Donovan: Vermont Constitution protects Vermonters stopped by federal agents

Thu, 08/13/2020 - 11:26am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan has filed an amicus brief with the Vermont Supreme Court arguing that the Vermont Constitution protects all Vermonters accused of a crime in state court—even when the evidence leading to the charge was initially obtained by a federal officer. The brief, filed earlier this week in State v. Walker-Brazie, argues that a person charged with a crime in state court is entitled to the protection of the Vermont Constitution. At issue is the admissibility of evidence in state court that was obtained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers without consent to search the vehicle or a warrant based on probable cause—all required under Article 11 of the Vermont Constitution.

No date yet for Amtrak's return

Thu, 08/13/2020 - 10:02am -- tim

by C.B. Hall, Vermont Business Magazine Neither Amtrak nor the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) as yet has any specific date for the resumption of the national passenger rail provider's service in Vermont. On March 26, as the COVID-19 pandemic gained momentum, Amtrak truncated service on the state's two trains, the New York-to-Rutland Ethan Allen Express and the Washington-to-St Albans Vermonter. Service on the Vermonter currently extends only as far north as New Haven, Conn., while the Ethan Allen comes no farther north than Rensselaer, New York, which serves Albany.

Vermont to distribute 300,000 free cloth masks

Thu, 08/13/2020 - 9:41am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced that the State of Vermont will distribute up to 300,000 cloth face coverings to the public, emergency responders and select agencies throughout the month of August. The State Emergency Operations Center procured the masks from those donated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the US Department of Health and Human Services. Vermont's total population is about 626,000. As of August 1, face coverings are mandatory in all public places in Vermont. While wearing a mask is not a substitute for physical distancing and other mitigation measures, public health experts advise that masks help limit the spread of COVID-19 and should be worn in public when physical distancing is not possible.

Peck reports second quarter 2020 results

Thu, 08/13/2020 - 6:54am -- tim
Vermont Business Magazine The Peck Company Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ: PECK), a leading commercial solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company, today announced the Company’s financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020. Gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was $0.0 million, a decrease of $1.7 million, or 100%, compared to $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The resulting gross margin was 0.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2020, compared to 27.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2019.

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