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Senate passes S73 to help firefighters with workers comp cancer claims

Thu, 03/23/2023 - 2:04pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Today the Vermont Senate gave final approval to S73, a bill that would strengthen workers compensation coverage for all firefighters by expanding the types of cancer presumed to be a result of on-duty exposures. Cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters and research shows that firefighters are at higher risk of developing certain types of cancers when compared to the general population. By expanding the types of cancer included in the presumption, we are demonstrating a commitment to supporting all firefighters by decreasing the likelihood their workers' compensation claims will be denied.  

Vermont gasoline prices edge lower than US average

Thu, 03/23/2023 - 1:57pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.38 per gallon, down 4 cents per gallon from last week, down 4 cents/g from last month and down 83 cents/g from the same period last year, according to GasBuddy. The lowest price in Vermont is $2.99/g in Middlebury and the highest price is $3.59 in Jay. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.40/g today.

Burlington metro ranks in top 20 Best Housing Markets for Growth and Stability in US

Thu, 03/23/2023 - 1:15pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine The housing market has been on a rollercoaster ride, and it just took another big turn. For the first time in more than a decade, year-over-year home prices in the US fell in February. Amid such an unpredictable housing market (and a hike in mortgage rates), national mortgage broker SmartAsset presented the results of their annual survey today and maintains that it is increasingly important to buy a home in a place that is both poised for long-term growth and stability. The Burlington metro area ranked 17th best, out of 400 nationally, and was the only metro area in the Eastern Time Zone. Burlington metro home prices have grown 192.8 percent over the last 25 years with no historic loss in value. 

Future of Vermont Action Team launches Youth Opportunity Initiative

Thu, 03/23/2023 - 12:34pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine The Future of Vermont Action Team is launching a statewide Youth Opportunity Initiative, facilitated by the Vermont Council on Rural Development, to embark on a deep engagement process to draw input from youth, community members, parents, advocates, municipal leaders, educators, school administrators, business owners, policy experts, and more to identify strategies and action to advance youth opportunity, aspiration, and community connection. In 2021, the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) built The Vermont Proposition which outlines a bold proposal to set our state on a trajectory toward success, vitality, and prosperity for the next 30 years based on input from thousands of Vermonters. A diverse group of 20 leaders convened and facilitated by VCRD, known as the Future of Vermont Action Team, have been further defining and implementing the ten elements of the Vermont Proposition.

Welch questions Norfolk Southern CEO, demands accountability for families

Thu, 03/23/2023 - 12:19pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) on Wednesday questioned Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation hearing. The hearing was convened in response to the February 3rd derailment of a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals through East Palestine, Ohio. The derailment resulted in substantial air, water, and soil contamination, damaging the local environment, and putting the people of East Palestine at risk of adverse health effects. During the hearing, Welch urged Shaw to take responsibility for the derailment and make a substantive pledge to avoid future derailments.  

VSP: Deceased man in Jay identified as Byron M Camber

Thu, 03/23/2023 - 12:15pm -- tim

Vermont State Police The Vermont State Police is investigating the death of a man whose body was found Tuesday evening, March 21, 2023, in the town of Jay. The victim in this incident is identified as Byron M Camber, 27, of North Troy. An autopsy was performed Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington. The cause and manner of death remain pending toxicology testing, which can take several weeks to several months. The investigation into this death is active and ongoing. State police will release additional details as the investigation proceeds.

After SVB collapse, Sanders introduces bill to prevent big bank executives from serving on Fed boards

Thu, 03/23/2023 - 11:39am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) on Thursday introduced legislation to block bank executives like Silicon Valley Bank’s Gregory Becker from serving on regional Federal Reserve boards that regulate the banks they run. Today, two-thirds of the directors of the 12 regional Federal Reserve boards are hand-picked by the same bankers that the Federal Reserve charged with regulating. Moreover, five CEOs of financial institutions with over $150 billion in assets currently serve as directors of Federal Reserve banks. For example, the CEO of State Street, which has nearly $300 billion in assets, currently serves as a director of the Boston Federal Reserve.

Rising professionals form group with VCIA to promote industry for next generation

Thu, 03/23/2023 - 10:02am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Addressing the challenge regarding the next generation’s captive workforce, several rising captive professionals have partnered with the Vermont Captive Insurance Association (VCIA) to formalize the Vermont Captive Insurance Emerging Leaders (VCIEL), a group that will be a platform not only to recruit students to the industry, but also to cultivate the emerging talent already working in captives. VCIEL holds regular meetings and welcomes more captive professionals to bolster its group. It will provide student outreach and networking opportunities, as well as build out a roster of talented speakers to infuse the captive conference circuit with fresh energy. A launch party occurs on April 12th from 5:30-7:30pm at Pizza44 in Burlington, and the broader captive community is invited to support this initiative.

Conservation Stewardship Program open for applications, state funds available

Thu, 03/23/2023 - 4:36am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine A new state-funded program, the Vermont Farmer Ecosystem Stewardship Program, will assist Vermont farmers to achieve high levels of stewardship on their land by supporting them to enroll in the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The largest conservation program in the United States, CSP is a federal program that helps land managers enhance natural resources and improve their business operations. CSP requires producers to meet certain environmental objectives and commit to 5 years of enhanced conservation on their land. In return, producers receive an annual conservation payment.

Energize Vermont announces grant to support WindowDressers project in Craftsbury

Thu, 03/23/2023 - 3:58am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Energize Vermont, a non-profit energy education and advocacy organization, today (3/22/23) announced a grant award to the Craftsbury Energy Committee to support the town’s WindowDressers program. Over the last several years, Energize Vermont has granted thousands of dollars to WindowDressers communities. At WindowDressers workshops, community volunteers collaborate to assemble custom-fit plastic film inserts stretched over wooden frames for use in area homes. The Energize Vermont grant is intended to support participation in WindowDressers workshops by lower-income households.

Governor announces winners of downtown and village center tax incentives

Wed, 03/22/2023 - 4:57pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) today announced over $860,000 in funding supporting rehabilitation and revitalization projects throughout Vermont’s designated downtown and village centers. These six project awards will help generate over $20 million in building improvements and around the state. In addition to these awards, a new round of funding for later this year will be announced in April, with tax credits available to projects in state-designated Downtowns, Village Centers, and Neighborhood Development Areas. Projects are located in: Bennington, Brattleboro, Enosburg, Jeffersonville, Rutland and White River Junction.

Bill Stenger back home after release from prison

Wed, 03/22/2023 - 4:51pm -- tim

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Newport businessman Bill Stenger, the former president of Jay Peak resort, was released from prison today, according to a Facebook post by his son Andrew. The post from Wednesday morning reads: "Just under 7 years ago a long, complicated journey started for my father and our family. I’m extremely grateful to report the journey is finally over. Next stop- large fries at Mc’Ds drive through. Bringing the big man home today." The post shows father and son, but when the photo was taken was not clarified nor was the time of release. Stenger began an 18-month federal prison sentence at Fort Devens, MA, on June 7.

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