Vermont Continues to See Tech Progress Across Business Sectors
A benefit of keeping an eye on the broad Vermont tech sector and pulling together news highlights for this newsletter each month, is to see the tech advancements happening in the state across a broad spectrum of business sectors.
This issue of the VTTA newsletter highlights some of the announcements made in the last month or so that on their own are noteworthy, but together point to the growth and diversity of tech-focused activity happening in Vermont.
Some examples:
Aerospace
- Beta Technologies completed a 1,403-mile flight of its Alia electric aircraft from Plattsburgh, NY to Bentonville, Arkansas, demonstrating the capability of the aircraft to fly long distances.
- Benchmark Space Systems announced it is expanding to the United Kingdom, even as it continues to grow its business in Vermont.
Artificial Intelligence
- Norwich University will receive $4 million in federal funding to create an artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and quantum computing academic and experiential learning center.
Bioscience
- Vernal Biosciences, the Colchester-based manufacturer of mRNA used in vaccines and other drugs, has raised $21 million to build a manufacturing facility in Essex that will scale up the business from supporting research to being involved in clinical trials.
Broadband:
- Vermont joined the “Internet for All” initiative, a US Department of Commerce program that will invest $65 billion to provide affordable, reliable, high-speed internet for everyone in America by the end of the decade.
- Two Communications Union Districts in northwest Vermont are close to reaching an agreement with Google Fiber to bring lightning-fast service to some of the state’s most underserved areas.
Computer Manufacturing
- Industrial computer hardware manufacturer OnLogic has begun construction of its new $60 Million, 140,000 square foot global headquarters in South Burlington, Vermont to meet the growing demand for the company’s small, customizable computers designed for use in industrial environments.
In addition, as more and more employees of tech firms are able to work from home – essentially work from anywhere – Vermont is well-positioned to attract those workers and currently leads in the percentage of people nationally working from home.
The VTTA will continue to support and shine a spotlight on Vermont’s tech ecosystem in this newsletter and elsewhere to draw attention to this sector as a driving force of Vermont’s economy and future.
Jeff Couture
Executive Director
Vermont Technology Alliance
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VCDA Spring Conference: Addressing the Vermont Housing Challenge
(June 28, 2022)
The Vermont Community Development Association presents a conference focused on Vermont’s housing shortage. The pandemic has turned what was already a housing shortage into a full-blown crisis. The problem is multifaceted and communities may be grappling with a variety of challenges, each requiring different solutions, from homelessness to the “missing middle.” This conference will look at a range of Vermont housing topics through a variety of panels and peer-to-peer discussions,
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Cloud Connect Summit: The Quest for Cybersecurity
(June 29, 2022)
The Cloud Connect Summit, presented by FirstLight returns to New Hampshire, in-person, June 29 at LaBelle Winery in Amherst, N.H. This year’s focus is on cybersecurity and ransomware protection. Join some of the nation’s leading experts on cloud, cybersecurity, and best practices from KnowBe4, Homeland Security, Veeam, FirstLight, and others. Take advantage of the VTTA code to waive the registration fee.
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2022 Manufacturing Summit: A Virtual Supply Chain Event for Advanced Manufacturing
(September 21, 2022)
The Vermont Chamber has reinvented the format of the Annual Manufacturing Summit offering an engaging, interactive, and content rich virtual edition with a theme of “Rebuilding Supply Chains and Workforce through Content, Collaboration, and Contacts.” This B2B program offers participants the opportunity to meet with OEMs, prime contractors, suppliers, partners from throughout New England and lower Québec,
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MindEdge & VTTA Professional Development Offering |
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Computer Applications Learning Opportunity |
Focusing on Microsoft Office software, these courses guide learners through the
tools needed to create products that inform and impress.
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Why Computer Applications Training?
In a world where technology evolves rapidly, it’s important to stay ahead of the changes by having a strong working
knowledge of the software used in the office environment
each day. Take the opportunity to sharpen your skills in the
Microsoft Office suite and keep up with the growing demand for computer mastery.
In these courses, you can learn the tips and tricks of Microsoft Excel, how to make a visually-appealing PowerPoint presentation, and the essential skills of QuickBooks®.
VTTA members receive 10% off all courses
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Sample Course List:
1: Certificate in Computer Skills for the Office
2: Excel Advanced Skills
3: Google Drive Basics
4: Microsoft Project Basics
5: PowerPoint for Business
6: QuickBooks® Online Basics
7: Microsoft Word Basics
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Vermont Leads Nationally in People Working from Home
(June, 2022 –VTTA)
Vermont leads all other states in the number of people working from home at 52%, according to an analysis of data collected by the University of Chicago by Pew Charitable Trusts reported in its online Stateline newsletter.
While the national average for working from home is 39%, Vermont topped the list at 52%, followed by Delaware at 49%, and California, Colorado and Oregon each at 46%.
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Scott Outlines New Workforce Initiatives to Fill Available Jobs and Create More Opportunity
(June 21, 2022 – Vermont Business Magazine)
At his weekly media briefing, Governor Phil Scott highlighted initiatives and investments passed this year to help train, retain and recruit more workers to address Vermont’s workforce shortage.
New opportunities available through Act 183 (Bill S.11) include:
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$3M Regional Workforce Expansion and Work-Based Learning and Training to expand regional support at the Department of Labor, connecting and assisting jobseekers and employers who are hiring.
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$3M Vermont Trades Scholarship Program administered through the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation and provide scholarships for individuals enrolled in an industry-recognized training and certification program that leads to employment in high-demand sectors in Vermont.
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$10M to address healthcare workforce shortages through various grants, loan forgiveness and incentive programs to support, recruit and retain healthcare workers in the state.
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$3M New Relocating Worker Program to continue the state’s work to recruit new residents to the state through grants that help pay for their moving expenses.
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Vermont Spent $2 Million to Bring Hundreds of Workers Here. It’s About to Give Out Millions More
(June 9, 2022 – VPR)
In 2018, lawmakers approved the state’s relocation grant program — a marketing campaign to attract workers to Vermont.
Once the governor signed the bill it got publicity all over the world. Since then, lots of places have emulated the idea of paying people to relocate. So far, just over 400 new Vermont residents and their families have received grants to move to the state. The state gives out grants until it runs out of money. That already happened this year.
The governor signed legislation to continue funding the program with just over $3 million. Supporters say for a relatively small investment, the grants can make a difference.
That was true for Matthew Kapitan. He works in I.T. and was looking to relocate from Wisconsin. “That $7,500 for the relocating worker grant was significant,” Kapitan said. “It was enough for me to focus on Vermont.”
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Burlington Tech Startup Raises Millions to Accelerate Manufacturing Growth
(June 2, 2022 – Burlington Free Press)
Vernal Biosciences, the Colchester-based manufacturer of mRNA used in vaccines and other drugs, has raised $21 million to build a manufacturing facility in Essex that will scale up the business from supporting research to being involved in clinical trials.
Christian Cobaugh, founder and CEO of Vernal, said the 23,000-square-foot building at 65 Red Pine Circle is currently a shell, but will be fitted up with everything needed to support clinical manufacturing, and will be “highly regulated” by the Food and Drug Administration. Cobaugh plans to be up and running in late 2023.
“The goal is for that facility to support clinical manufacturing, a very specialized level of manufacturing that has to take place in clean rooms,” Cobaugh said.
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An electric aircraft just completed a journey of 1,403 miles
(June 2, 2022 – Popular Science)
On the morning of Monday, May 23, an electric aircraft took off from Plattsburgh International Airport in eastern New York, near Lake Champlain and the border with Vermont. From there, it pushed west and south. It landed and took off again two more times in New York, and then flew into Akron, Ohio the next day. After seven stops in total, it finally landed on Monday, May 30, in Bentonville, Arkansas, completing a start-and-stop journey of 1,403 miles.
The craft is called Alia, and it was created by Beta Technologies, an aviation startup based in Burlington, Vermont. A single propeller, powered by two electric motors, gives it its thrust through the air. Electric aviation is in its infancy, and the burgeoning industry has generally focused on the idea of using electric aircraft as air taxis, like Ubers in the sky, for travel around cities. With this longer series of flights, Beta CEO Kyle Clark says that they wanted to show that aircraft like these can be more than just a vehicle for local transport.
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OnLogic Breaks Ground on New Global Headquarters
(June 1, 2022 – OnLogic)
Global industrial computer hardware manufacturer and VTTA member, OnLogic has begun construction of its new $60 Million, 140,000 square foot global headquarters in South Burlington, Vermont.
Located adjacent to the well-known Reverence sculpture, often referred to as the Whales Tails, in South Burlington's Technology Park, the new facility will house all business functions for the 19-year-old tech company.
The state-of-the-art facility will provide space for OnLogic's more than 150 Vermont-based employees to effectively collaborate and innovate. The company estimates that the new facility will be able to fully accommodate their planned growth in Vermont for the next 7-10 years. The company has grown at an average of 30% annually, with a global revenue of $110M in 2021.
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Google Fiber deal could bring high speed internet to 43,000 Vermont households
(May 31, 2022 – VTDigger)
Two groups of communities in northwest Vermont are close to reaching an agreement with Google Fiber to bring lightning-fast service to some of the state’s most underserved areas.
Two of Vermont’s newest Communication Union Districts, Northwest FiberworX (with 21 member communities) and Lamoille FiberNet (with 10 member communities), joined forces last year to build, own and maintain an open-access fiber network that can host multiple internet service providers — a first for the state.
If all goes well, Google could become the network’s first retail internet service provider.
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Vermont Joins National ‘Internet for All’ Initiative
(May 27, 2022 – VTDigger)
Governor Phil Scott and the US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) have announced that Vermont has signed on to participate in the “Internet for All” initiative, which will invest $65 billion to provide affordable, reliable, high-speed internet for everyone in America by the end of the decade.
Funded through the bipartisan infrastructure law and administered by NTIA, the Internet for All programs will build internet infrastructure, teach digital skills, and provide necessary technology to ensure that everyone in America – including communities of color, rural communities, and older Americans – have the access and skills they need to fully participate in today’s society.
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As This Burlington-Based Satellite Company Continues to Grow, It’ll Expand to the UK
(May 25, 2022 – VPR)
A Burlington company that makes propulsion systems for satellites is expanding to the United Kingdom, while it grows its business in Vermont.
Benchmark Space Systems makes products that propel small satellites in space using hydrogen peroxide, which the company says is cleaner than other satellite propellants. The company started five years ago with just a few employees. Today it has 75, about half of which are at its headquarters in Vermont, according to CEO and co-founder Ryan McDevitt.
Along with its new UK location, where Benchmark has four employees, the company has signed a contract with UK. startup Space Forge, and McDevitt said he hopes to soon have other contracts in place in Europe.
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Norwich to Establish AI, Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Center
(May 23, 2022 – Norwich University)
Norwich University will receive $4 million in federal funding to create an artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and quantum computing academic and experiential learning center. The center will develop education and training programs directed at undergraduates and engage mid-career professionals with up-skilling and continuing education.
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Vermont Technology Alliance Membership Update
The Vermont Technology Alliance works on behalf of its members and is able to carry out its mission through the support of its membership.
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 – Comcast Business |
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Comcast Business keeps businesses ready for what’s next with powerful connectivity, advanced cybersecurity solutions, and the right people at your side. From the carrier that built the nation's largest Gig-speed network, Comcast delivers business data, video, voice, connectivity (Internet, Ethernet, SDN/ SD-WAN), and other technology solutions.
Comcast offers a powerful network of 600,000 miles of fiber optic and HFC cable network across 39 states, local service and sales teams and 24/7 support, 365 days a year.
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Useful Information & Links |
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2022 Vermont Science and Technology Plan Released
The Vermont Technology Council in partnership of the UVM Office of Engagement has released the 2022 Vermont Science and Technology Plan.
The Vermont Technology Council is an organization that advocates for science and technology-based economic development. It strives to integrate the efforts of the private sector, higher education, and government to build a strong, vibrant, and flexible economy based on science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Vermont. The Council also serves as the State Committee for the Vermont Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), is responsible for writing the State Science and Technology Plan as part of that program, and is a supporter of the VTTA.
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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 150+ 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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The VTTA Thanks Its Member/Sponsors
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