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Vermont Legislature Back in Session
The start of a new year brings the start of a new Legislative session, and once again the Vermont Technology Alliance will monitor and engage in issues of importance to tech-focused businesses.
The priorities for legislators are housing, flood recovery, climate change and public safety. These are key issues for the Governor too, but he also has put an emphasis on expanding Vermont’s population and affordability.
Several new bills have been introduced. Here are a few that we are following:
Cloud Tax
The House Ways and Means committee has again introduced the so-called Cloud Tax, which would levy Vermont’s 6% sales tax on all Software-as-a-Service applications. This year, the tax is included in a telecommunications bill, H657, dealing with communications taxes and fees to support programs such as public access television, 911 service, and a suicide prevention hotline.The bill is intended to be “revenue neutral.” With revenue from current telecommunications fees and taxes on the decline, it appears the cloud tax in this bill is intended to make up the losses.
The last estimate was for the Cloud Tax to raise more than $20 million annually, primarily from businesses. To be determined is whether the tax will also impact Platform as a Service, and Infrastructure as a Service, essentially covering everything done online. As we have previously, we will raise our concerns with this tax and its impact on the cost of doing business in the state, particularly for tech businesses.
Housing
Housing growth continues to be a key concern for all Vermonters, particularly for businesses that are finding the lack of housing availability is impacting their ability to recruit and attract employees to Vermont. The Governor and a tri-partisan group of legislators announced H.719, a housing expansion bill that would make changes to Vermont’s long-standing Act 250 law and other regulations to increase housing in the state. The fact that there is some agreement across parties in doing something to increase housing is a good sign.
Vermont Economic Growth Incentive
Bill H708 would remove the sunset on the Vermont Economic Growth Incentive (VEGI) program and create a new forgivable loan incentive targeted at businesses with 50 or fewer employees. The VTTA has advocated for the continuation of the VEGI program, which has helped many tech businesses. We’ve also urged opportunities to provide the benefit to smaller businesses; the forgivable loan could be a way to do that.
AI
Two bills have been introduced to regulate the creation of generative artificial intelligence systems: H.711, “An act relating to creating oversight and liability standards for developers and deployers of inherently dangerous artificial intelligence systems”; and H.710, “An act relating to regulating developers and deployers of certain artificial intelligence systems.” They establish responsibilities for controls and documentation around "high-risk" AI systems, including creating risk assessments and reporting requirements, and the risk of legal action.
Data Privacy
The House Commerce and Economic Development Committee is expected to take up a data privacy bill once again. Last session the committee was beginning to move to a version based on one in Connecticut, which generally is a balanced approach. However, may decide to review those from other states. The VTTA would like to avoid including any private right of action in the privacy bill because of concerns this could potentially create “gotcha” lawsuits for an inadvertent mistake by a small Vermont tech business.
And at the Federal Level…
R&D Tax Credit
There was some good news at the federal level for businesses involved in R&D work. A bipartisan congressional tax deal includes the restoration of the ability to deduct 100% of R&D expenses in the year they are incurred (Section 174 of the Internal Revenue Code). The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act phased out this deduction, requiring businesses to amortize these investments over the course of five years, resulting in significant financial impact. If it can pass, this agreement will restore the long-term R&D investment incentive.
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And finally…
We hope you will add a VTTA membership to your to-do list in 2024. Whether it’s our advocacy, Career Center, networking events, our business support and outreach, or resources like online professional education and recruiting, a VTTA membership can support your business and the awareness of Vermont’s tech sector (which helps all businesses and entrepreneurs).
Jeff Couture
Executive Director
Vermont Technology Alliance
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MedTech Collaborative: Navigating Your Path to Market
(January 25 ,2024 – Norwich Inn)
The MedTech Collaborative hosts a panel discussion that delves into the complex and evolving landscape of commercializing medical and healthcare technologies. Industry experts and companies at various stages of development will share their experiences and guidance on the various pathways to successful commercialization in the MedTech and healthcare technology space.
Find more here.
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Vermont Futures 802 with Kevin Chu
(January 25 ,2024 – Hub Coworks, Rutland)
Join the Vermont Futures 802 Project on January 25 for a vital discussion led by Kevin Chu, executive director of the Vermont Futures Project, on shaping Vermont’s economic future through data-driven solutions. Enjoy food and beverages, network, share ideas, and help craft a sustainable path forward for our state at The Hub CoWorks in Rutland.
Find more here.
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Empowering Your Business in the Digital World: A Seminar by Gray Digital Media
(January 29 ,2024 – Hub Coworks, Rutland)
The Hub CoWorks presents a seminar by Gray Digital Media for business owners and marketers eager to explore the evolving landscape of digital marketing. The Gray team will share insights on leveraging creativity, technology, and strategic thinking to elevate your brand and achieve sustainable growth. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a marketing professional, this seminar offers valuable strategies for digital marketing and networking opportunities.
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Find more here.
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Vermont Economic Conference
(January 30 ,2024 – UVM Dudley H Davis Center)
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce presents its annual Vermont Economic Conference January 30, 2024. The event is designed to offer insightful presentations, engaging discussions, and networking opportunities. This year’s content will be curated to provide an in-depth look at national, global, and state economic outlooks, as well as the latest economic indicators shaping Vermont’s business landscape.
Find more here.
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MindEdge & VTTA Professional Development Offering | |
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Web Design
Learn about design principles, user experiences, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design to craft a well-designed and responsive website.
Why Web Design Training?
An attractive website can make a huge difference in how an organization is seen by potential stakeholders. To make sure your website is always modern and up to date, it needs to be managed by someone with web design skills. With the help of our web design courses, that can be you!
These courses will introduce you to the essentials you need
for crafting a well-designed and responsive website. You'll learn about design principles, user experiences, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design.
See the Course List
VTTA members receive 10% off all courses
See more about VTTA & MindEdge Offerings
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Game-Changing Solar Power Technology to Get First U.S. Installation in Vermont
(January 18, 2024 – The Cool Down)
If you haven’t heard of vertical agrivoltaics systems, that’s probably because it’s such a new technology that many countries, including the United States, don’t have any farms using it yet. That’s set to change, at least for the U.S., however, as the first-ever vertical agrivoltaics system is about to be built in Vermont.
An agrivoltaics system uses solar panels installed on farmland so the land can be simultaneously used to grow crops and generate clean, renewable energy. Vertical agrivoltaics is where the panels are installed vertically, leaving more space for growing.
Read more here.
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Comcast Announces $30,000 in Grants to Advance Digital Equity in Burlington, VT Area
(January 18, 2023 – Comcast)
Comcast is awarding a total of $30,000 to two nonprofit organizations in the Greater Burlington area to help advance digital literacy skills. These grants are part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity through programs and community partnerships.
The Boys & Girls Club of Burlington will receive $15,000 to support its MyFuture digital literacy program. MyFuture is an interactive platform that provides kids and teens with hundreds of activities to learn digital skills in a safe online environment. Over 60 kids participate in MyFuture throughout the academic year.
Technology for Tomorrow will receive $15,000 to provide technology education classes to underserved communities, including older adults and new Americans with refugee backgrounds, as well as participants who are looking to up-skill and/or learn new skills to better position them to land an entry level position or get ahead at work.
Read more here.
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Vermont the Top Move to Location for United Van Lines Customers; #12 for U-Haul
(January 3, 2024 – United Van Lines)
United Van Lines and U-Haul each released data on top states their customers moved to in 2023.
As it has for the last several years, Vermont has topped the list of United Van Lines top moving destinations in 2023 in its 47th Annual National Movers Study. The study tracks the company’s exclusive data for customers’ state-to-state migration patterns. For the third consecutive year, more residents moved to Vermont than any other state, with 65% of moves being inbound. Moving to be closer to family (29%) led the reason for relocating to the state, followed by a lifestyle change (20%).
Meanwhile, among U-Haul’s do-it-yourself customers, Texas saw the largest number of movers in one-way U-Haul® equipment in 2023, marking the third consecutive year it has finished atop the U-Haul Growth Index. Vermont ranked 12th among the 50 states, moving up from 30th position last year.
Read more here.
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Congress Unveils Bipartisan Tax Deal Ahead of Shutdown Deadline
(January 16, 2024 – Axios)
Top lawmakers on the congressional tax-writing committees unveiled a $78 billion, bipartisan tax agreement onto extend multiple tax breaks.
The deal would expand the Child Tax Credit, in part, by incrementally increasing the refundable portion of the child tax credit so that lower-income families who don't owe income taxes would still get a credit.
It alters research & development (R&D) expensing for businesses to allow for immediate expensing, restoring interest deductions and "removing the current double taxation that exists for businesses and workers with a footprint in both the United States and Taiwan."
Read more here.
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New Partnership Aims to Make Vermont a Tech Hub, Create Jobs
(December 20, 2023 – WCAX)
Vermont was one of 31 places around the country that was designated a “Tech Hub” by the U.S. Economic Development Administration this fall. That makes the state potentially eligible for up to $75 million of federal CHIPS Act money designed to promote technology made in the USA.
The state pitched to the feds that Vermont could advance Gallium Nitride or GaN. It’s a material that could be the future of smartphones and more because it can transmit data faster and charge faster than silicon, which is what semiconductor chips found in most electronics nowadays currently use.
And Vermont officials say we’re ready to seize the moment.
“I was blown away and I realized this is a huge opportunity,” said Doug Merrill, the regional innovation officer at the University of Vermont.
Merrill is running the newly created tech hub in Vermont and says the potential for gallium nitride is immense. “For energy efficiency, for communications efficiency, for communications access it’s going to be a real game-changer in those niche markets.”
Read more here.
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Verde Harnesses the Sun in a Different Way
(January 7, 2024 – VCET, Vermont Biz)
Verde Technologies Inc. is developing an innovative alternative to traditional silicon solar panels.
Headquartered in Burlington, this renewable energy company manufactures thin-film solar panels using the mineral perovskite. The product adheres to virtually any surface, making solar energy a viable option for all sunlit households.
“We started hearing that 40 percent of rooftops cannot handle the weight of conventional solar modules,” said Randall Headrick, Verde’s research lead, in an interview. With UVM. “It turns out that thin-film solar can beat conventional solar by something like a factor of 8 on weight.”
Read more here.
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What Will it Take to Upgrade Vermont’s Aging IT Systems?
(December 27, 2023 – WCAX)
What will it take to bring Vermont’s information technology systems up to snuff? Recent computer woes at the Department of Labor are once again highlighting the millions it will take to upgrade the state’s aging IT infrastructure.
The Vermont Department of Labor over the past month has once again been dealing with issues with its decades-old mainframe, causing some people not to be able to file for unemployment. The incident is raising new questions ahead of the legislative session about how to fund expensive IT upgrades.
“Technology is the fuel, it’s not the destination,” said Vt. Digital Services Secretary Denise Reilly-Hughes. She says there are hundreds of systems across agencies that are long in the tooth. “They have exceeded their life span for a technology system.”
Reilly-Hughes says they are currently in the process of modernizing six state it systems. “We need to ensure they don’t get to a point of security vulnerability and risk.”
Read more here.
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Vermont Technology Alliance Membership Update
The Vermont Technology Alliance works on behalf of its members and can carry out its mission through the support of its membership.
The Vermont Technology Council has become a VTTA Leadership Member/Sponsor. The VTC works as a catalyst for the creation of science and technology-based business in Vermont.
Also, renewing as Partner member/sponsors are Marvell Technology, which develops leading semiconductor technologies, and SymQuest, delivering managed IT solutions.
We appreciate and value the year-round foundational support of the VTTA from our annual Member/Sponsors
New members include Pam McKenzie (DeckerZinn LLC). Renewing members include Creative Micro, FreshTracks Capital, Gallagher Flynn HR Consulting, Global-Z, Howard Center, Vermont HITEC, Vermont State University (Vermont Tech), Widewail, and individuals Drew Mills, Joe McVicker.
Not a VTTA member yet? Then why not join now? Find more information and register here. You can also contact us at admin@vtta.org.
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Featured Member – Green River Data Analysis | |
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Green River’s mission is to deliver software and analytics for a better world.
We create software to manage critical business and social processes in the
pursuit of transparency, accountability, and continuous performance improvement. We focus on data systems for homeless services, affordable housing, and public health.
Our flagship platform is Open Path (https://greenriver.com/openpath/), an open source application that supports homeless services for dozens of municipalities, state agencies, and non-profits nationwide.
We started in 2000 in Brattleboro, Vermont, and are now a growing team of over 40 software engineers, designers, data scientists, project managers, and analysts.
Visit Green River at https://greenriver.com/
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Useful Information & Links | |
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Vermont Business Owners Invited to Participate in the 2024 Annual Business Economic Survey
Davis & Hodgdon CPAs, a VTTA member, has once again teamed up with the Vermont Chamber of Commerce to invite Vermont businesses to take the 2024 annual Vermont Economic Survey of small- to medium-sized businesses. The survey usually takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete. The non-scientific survey is customized by Davis & Hodgdon to evaluate small- to medium-sized businesses located throughout the state. Results from the survey are shared with state media and legislators.
Please click here to take the survey. The survey will remain open until Friday, February 11.
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Consolidated Connects Educational Grant Program Now Accepting Applications
Consolidated Communications a leading broadband and business communications provider and VTTA member, has announced that the Consolidated Connects Educational Grant Program is now accepting funding applications.
Consolidated Connects provides grants to schools serving K-12 students in the company’s service area. Since launching in 2021, Consolidated Connects has provided $112,500 to schools for a variety of technology-centered projects, including the creation of a maker space, virtual and augmented reality curriculum integration, a podcast enhancing student literacy, and a technology services summer work internship program for students.
Schools and educational programs across Consolidated’s service area are encouraged to apply now through March 1. Full program guidelines and the funding application are available at consolidated.com/cciconnects
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Online Professional Development Courses
The VTTA has partnered with MindEdge to offer easy-to-access, affordable, online professional development courses. Whether you are looking to expand your skill set, earn professional credits, or learn something new, these courses are an option to gain essential and in-demand skills on your own time, at your own pace, and from any location. As a bonus, VTTA members save 10% on all offerings.
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VTTA Career Center
Vermont Technology Alliance member companies are hiring, and when you visit the Career Center on the Vermont Technology Alliance website you can browse and search for these job openings and subscribe to updates. The Career Center on average features 200+ tech and non-tech jobs with Vermont Technology Alliance member businesses. Jobs available from VTTA members are listed at no charge in the Career Center as a member benefit.
Find the Career Center here.
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Find the Software Development Staff with Recruiting Services from VTTA and ScaleTech
The Vermont Technology Alliance has partnered with tech talent solution firm ScaleTech to offer talent solution services to help Vermont businesses find the software developers and engineers. they need to sustain and grow their businesses. ScaleTech focuses on developing a working partnership with businesses between 5 to 200 employees, and offers discounted rates for VTTA members.
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The VTTA Thanks Its Member/Sponsors
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