Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger today issued a proclamation supporting the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program by recognizing National Community Development Week, April 2-9, 2018.
Vermont Business Magazine The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, announced a $20,000 grant to the Champlain Housing Trust as part of the foundation’s commitment to giving back to the community. Champlain Housing Trust serves the communities and people of northwest Vermont with affordable housing options and services to help people succeed in their housing.
Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center has been awarded the Advisory Board 2018 Workplace of the Year Award. The annual award recognizes hospitals and health systems nationwide that have outstanding levels of employee engagement. Lesley Classen, Rutland Regional’s Manager of Employee Relations & Recruitment, accepted the award on behalf of the hospital at The Advisory Board Company’s annual summit held on March 29th, in Chicago, Illinois.
Vermont Business Magazine In a new report released by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM), Vermont schools called for an increased sourcing of Vermont-branded milk. While Vermont dairy farmers supply most of the milk served in Vermont schools, respondents reported difficulty finding milk from local distributors that also meet federal nutrition standards. The statewide survey, designed to inform the dairy industry about how Vermont schools engage with fluid milk, provides valuable information to help milk processors, bottlers, and distributors connect directly with schools. Serving more than 13 million meals a year, Vermont schools demonstrate potential for market growth. The report includes recommendations and proposed projects schools and milk suppliers can use to build stronger relationships.
Vermont Business Magazine Caledonia Spirits, nationally recognized distillers of Barr Hill since 2011, is launching Experiments in Agricultural Rectification – a new small batch spirits project with a mission to capture the provenance of Vermont’s agricultural and forage crops. The first release of the project will be available on Saturday, April 7th at the Caledonia Spirits Distillery in Hardwick, and the Made in Vermont Marketplace at the Essex Fairgrounds.
Vermont Business Magazine A storm heading toward Vermont this afternoon is bringing precipitation and strong winds. Weather experts shifted their predictions overnight and are now forecasting gusts to 65 miles an hour in some locations. That increases the chance for downed trees and power lines. GMP has been tracking the forecast and preparing in advance of the storm. GMP crews are positioned around the state to respond to possible outages as well as additional external crews.
by Scudder Parker Education of our young people is one of the most important obligations of our democracy. And a funding system that enables school district voters throughout the state to make thoughtful budget decisions is key to fulfilling that obligation in Vermont. After the Vermont Supreme Court’s Brigham decision in 1997, the Legislature made a structural school funding change.
Vermont Business Magazine Shelburne business Vermont Tortilla Company has been named a winner of The 2018 American Small Business Championship by SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. The Championship awarded this title to 102 entrepreneurs for their dedication to the success of their small businesses, awarding them an all-expense-paid trip to a training and networking event, SCORE mentoring and publicity throughout the year, and a chance to win one of three $15,000 grand prizes, made possible with the support of Sam’s Club.
Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Thomas J Donovan, Jr, and Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore announced today that the State of Vermont will continue to vigorously oppose the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) planned efforts to weaken greenhouse gas emission and fuel economy standards for 2022-2025 model year cars and light-duty trucks. Late Tuesday, the EPA announced that it had completed its mid-term evaluation process for greenhouse gas emission standards for cars and light duty trucks for model years 2022-2025 and determined that the standards were too stringent. The EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) intend to begin rulemaking to weaken greenhouse gas emission standards and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. EPA’s threat to weaken the federal standards will endanger both public health and the environment and make driving more expensive.
Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) announced Tuesday that the US Department of Agriculture will be reopening the enrollment next week for the much-improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). The changes implement improvements that Leahy included in the Bipartisan Budget Act in February to give Vermont dairy farmers a far more cost-effective risk protection option.
by Representative Heidi E Scheuermann, R-Stowe On Thursday evening (April 5th), the House General, Housing and Military Affairs Committee, the committee on which I serve, will be having a Public Hearing on S. 40, the bill that would increase in the minimum wage to $15 per hour. I have written some about this topic in the past, and shared with readers my significant concerns about this legislation, but further investigation and testimony received about it have only served to solidify those concerns.
Vermont Business Magazine The US Environmental Protection Agency released Vermont’s clean water report card today. The report evaluates the state’s efforts to implement the Lake Champlain phosphorus reduction goals. The EPA commended the state’s work in meeting nearly 90 percent of its water quality milestones, and for making significant progress toward the remaining milestones.