Current News

LIAM MURPHY and CATHERINE KRONK of the law firm MURPHY SULLIVAN KRONK have been named by Super Lawyers magazine as two of the top attorneys in Vermont. Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are recognized by Super Lawyers. To earn this honor, lawyers are nominated by their peers and then reviewed by a research team that evaluates the nominees based on professional accomplishments and peer recognition. LIAM MURPHY maintains a broad practice grounded in all types of real estate matters, encompassing real estate transactions and litigation, land use and environmental law as well as condemnation litigation. CATHERINE KRONK maintains a practice focused on complex commercial transactions, including commercial finance transactions and real estate transactions. MURPHY SULLIVAN KRONK focuses its practice on real estate, commercial transactions and related litigation. Learn more about the firm at www.mskvt.com.

Competitive Computing (C2) Awarded GSA Schedule 70 Contract
Award enables federal customers to purchase business-critical IT solutions
COLCHESTER, VT October 15, 2008 Competitive Computing (C2), a recognized leader in strategic IT solutions for business, government and higher education institutes, announced today that they were awarded a Schedule 70 contract by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the procurement arm of the federal government. The GSA Schedule is the preferred vehicle for government buyers; product and service providers who have contracts on the GSA Schedule are more likely to be selected by government purchasing agents.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont Funds Influenza Vaccine for State's High-Risk Uninsured
Berlin, VT - Thousands of uninsured Vermonters who are at high risk for complications from influenza will receive the flu vaccine free of charge this fall thanks to a $32,000 grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont.
Continuing a 27-year tradition, the states largest health insurance company has once again in 2008 provided funding for purchase of vaccine that will be distributed to approximately 3,000 high-risk Vermonters between the ages of 18 and 65 by the state's eleven nonprofit home health agencies at flu shot clinics this fall.
"Influenza can be a dangerous and even life-threatening illness for people who are most vulnerable," said Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont President and CEO William Milnes Jr. "We are pleased to be able to help protect those who are at highest risk."

Governor Douglas Announces Software Development Initiative
Economic Development Plan Will Grow Software, IT Sector Jobs
WINOOSKI - Governor Jim Douglas on Tuesday announced an economic development plan to create more jobs in the software development and information technology sectors.
At a press conference at the Champlain Mill in Winooski, the Governor rolled out a package of incentives and programs that will help stimulate growth in these critical high tech industries.
"These incentives will help establish the Champlain Mill - and Vermont - as a center for software development," Governor Douglas said. "The combination of Winooski's downtown re-development, Champlain College's students, and the college's commitment to this industry will create a critical mass for firms that will create good jobs and power our economy into the future."

"Market Turmoil: What It Means for Vermont"
Panelists Phil Daniels, CEO, TD Banknorth, Burlington; Tom Torti, President, Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Art Woolf, Vermont Economy Newsletter; Jack McMullen, Cambridge Meridian Investors; George Ewins Sr, Merrill Lynch-Burlington (retired)discuss the Wall Street turmoil and the economy.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 Program from 5-6:30pm
Sheraton Burlington Conference Center - Emerald Ballroom
Discussants:
Phil Daniels, President and CEO, TD Banknorth, Burlington
Tom Torti, President, Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Art Woolf, Vermont Economy Newsletter
Jack McMullen, Cambridge Meridian Investors
George Ewins Sr. , Merrill Lynch-Burlington (retired)
Sponsored by
The Ethan Allen Institute
The Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce
Vermont Business Magazine

State Auditor's Office Releases Audit of Orange County:

County Finances Not Being Managed in a Sound Manner;
Numerous Internal Control Deficiencies Noted

MONTPELIER - Finances at the Orange County Courthouse are not being handled in
a fiscally responsible manner, and poor management by the county's elected assistant judges
has contributed to the problem, according to a 32-page report released today by the Office of
State Auditor Tom Salmon, CPA.

Salmon commissioned the audit in May before he was called to active duty as a member
of the U.S. Navy Reserve; he is now deployed in Iraq. The audit initially targeted payroll
procedures due to citizen concerns about possible improprieties, but was broadened to include
a range of internal controls and financial procedures and transactions.

Job counts decline slightly in September. Unemployment moves up three - tenths to 5.2%

October 21, 2008

"The nation's housing and financial services crisis continues to impact Vermont's labor market. Seasonally adjusted employment improved a bit in September, but the unemployment rate ticked up to 5.2%."

Patricia Moulton PowdenCommissioner of the Vermont Department of Labor

Vermont Labor Force Statistics

Seasonally Adjusted

September2008
August2008
September2007

Total Labor Force
353,300
351,100
352,600

Employment
334,900
333,800
339,000

Unemployment
18,300
17,300
13,600

Week Ending October 18, 2008
There were 801 new regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance last week, an increase of 65 from the week before. Altogether 6,542 new and continuing claims were filed, 486 more than a week ago and 1,919 more than a year earlier. In addition, the Department processed 1,197 claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008, a decrease of 681 from last week.
The Unemployment Weekly Report can be found at: http://www.vtlmi.info/

Previously released Unemployment Weekly Reports and other UI reports can be found at:
http://www.vtlmi.info/lmipub.htm#uc

Ecopixel, a Web development and online visibility firm in Essex Junction, launched a new Web site in early October for the Vermont League of Conservation Voters (VLCV) in Montpelier.
Ecopixel designed a content management system-based site for the nonprofit association, which serves as the non-partisan political voice of the state's environmental community. The site (www.vlcv.org) features sortable environmental "scorecards" for Vermont legislators, up-to-date lists of endorsed candidates and an integrated e-newsletter system which allows Web visitors to register to receive news that affects their specific county or counties of interest. VLCV staff then tailor the e-mails sent to different counties for increased impact. An October e-mail and Web announcement of VLCV's 2008 environmental scorecard received a strong response rate, VLCV Executive Director Todd Bailey said.

Clean Technology Wood Boilers Presented by EPA at Vermont Event
When: Thursday, October 23, 2008
Public Open House: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Speaker Program: 10:30 am
What: Clean technology outdoor wood boilers will be on display at an event hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. These agencies are encouraging people to replace old, dirty-burning wood boilers with more efficient heaters, like those manufactured by Greenwood Technologies.
Clean technology outdoor wood boilers produce up to 88 percent less smoke and are far more efficient.
CHANGEOUT INCENTIVES

VEDA, IN COOPERATION WITH EFFICIENCY VERMONT, LAUNCHES NEW BUSINESS ENERGY EFFICIENCY
LOAN PROGRAM
$1 Million in Low-Interest Loan Funds Available
Montpelier, VT - Effective immediately, the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA), in cooperation with Efficiency Vermont (EVT), is accepting applications from eligible Vermont businesses for loans to fund the cost of energy conservation projects certified as cost-effective by EVT. Up to $1 million is available in the new, low-interest Vermont Business Energy Conservation Loan Program.

Employers Receive Awards for Wellness at Work
Burlington A record 48 Vermont work sites received awards this month for their work site wellness programs. The awards, given annually by the Vermont Governors Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, honor employers that support staff access to physical fitness activities and promote good health on and off the job. The council and Governor Jim Douglas presented the awards at a Work Site Wellness Conference at the Hilton Hotel in Burlington on October 7.