Current News

The Summit on the Future of Vermont Final Report is now available. The 2009 Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) Summit on the Future of Vermont marked a watershed point. It turned the findings from the two-year Council on the Future of Vermont project into a challenge to Vermonters, and especially the leaders who gathered together for the day, to consider specific ways to work together to advance a positive vision for the future of the state. Over 500 Vermonters participated in the Summit process on May 11, 2009, coming from all parts of the state, from all sectors of government, business, non-profits and communities. It is exciting just to read the names (in Section VIII at the back of this report) of the diverse and dedicated team of Vermonters who devoted their energy and thinking to make the Summit a success.

Governor Jim Douglas today was joined by State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding, BISCHA Commissioner Paulette Thabault, Greg Marchildon from AARP, John Gannon from FINRA and others at a forum to educate Vermonters, especially senior citizens about how to protect against investment fraud.
All Vermonters, especially senior citizens must take important steps to protect themselves and their finances from investors seeking to defraud them of their live saving and retirement investments. That s why I was so pleased to attend and participate in today s forum, said Governor Douglas. During economic downturns we often see a rise in predatory and exploitive practices by a few bad apples, and we must always be diligent in protecting ourselves from investment fraud.

At a recent awards show, Burlington-based multimedia marketing company Shadow Productions received six Vermont Association of Broadcasters Commercial of the Year prizes. The awards were given at the Vermont Association of Broadcasters (VAB) conference, held at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Montpelier in May. Among the awards Shadow took home were BEST PRODUCED RADIO COMMERCIAL, AGENCY-PRODUCED; FUNNIEST RADIO COMERCIAL, AGENCY PRODUCED; and FUNNIEST TV COMMERCIAL, AGENCY PRODUCED. Each member of the Shadow Team took home at least one award for writing or production, including producer Rob Ostrander, whose material was entered in the show for the first time this year.

A survey conducted by Opinion Dynamics for the New England Energy Alliance found New Englanders have solid support for electricity and energy infrastructure development in the region. Wind farms are preferred by an overwhelming majority and construction of LNG terminals shows substantial support. A narrow majority support transmission line construction as well as nuclear plant license renewal. However, support for constructing new nuclear plants and clean coal generating facilities remains mixed.

Governor Jim Douglas will sign Vermont s Clean Water Day proclamation, June 18 at 1:15 p.m., at a demonstration and tour of innovative and underutilized agricultural practices in the Rock River watershed in Franklin. Clean Water Day celebrates the work of Vermonters to improve water quality around the state and renews the commitment to the goal of clean water for all Vermonters.
The stewardship of Vermont s waters is everyone s responsibility farmer and city dweller; year-round resident and seasonal visitor and Vermonters take this responsibility seriously, the Governor said.
Join the Governor, Franklin County farmers, the Farmers Watershed Alliance, UVM Extension Service, USDA s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the agencies of Natural Resources and Agriculture, and Friends of Missisquoi Bay at this annual event to celebrate farmers progress in agricultural advances to protect water quality.

Dealer.com, the leading provider of online marketing solutions for the automotive industry, today announced that Mark Bonfigli, CEO, received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2009 Award in the technology category in New England. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Mark Bonfigli was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a gala event at the Marriott Newton Hotel on June 16th.

NASA has awarded approximately $19 million to colleges and universities nationwide to conduct research and technology development in areas of importance to NASA's mission. The University of Vermont was among six schools to be selected for two proposals. In addition, the awards enable faculty development and higher education student support.
The selections are part of NASA's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, known as EPSCoR. The program is designed to assist states in establishing an academic research enterprise directed toward a long-term, self-sustaining and competitive capability that will contribute to its economic viability and development. The program helps develop partnerships between NASA research assets, academic institutions and industry. The selected proposals support all four of NASA's mission directorates: aeronautics, exploration systems, science and space operations.

The Essex, Vermont s Culinary Resort & Spa, has expanded its management team by hiring a leading statewide tourism sales executive. Dave Hakins, former Executive Director of the Vermont Convention Bureau (VCB) and Vermont Sports & Events Council (VSEC), has joined The Essex as Director of Business Development.
We re fortunate to attract a sales pro of Dave s caliber and experience to introduce new sales programs and to identify new markets to leverage our exciting assets, said Jim Glanville, Vice President & General Manager of The Essex. We plan to prosper in this difficult environment by continuing to make smart hiring and expansion decisions.
Before leading VCB and VSEC, Hakins was Director of Sales and Promotion for the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing in Governor Jim Douglas administration.

An active Lake Arrowhead osprey nest has been destroyed, and Central Vermont Public Service is offering a reward in an effort to find out how. If it turns out that the nest was destroyed on purpose, CVPS is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of whoever was responsible.
It s unclear whether the nest was intentionally destroyed or blown down by the wind, but it s suspicious, CVPS spokesman Steve Costello said. We re looking for information from anyone who knows how the nest was destroyed, whether by the hand of a person or Mother Nature.
It is illegal to harass migratory birds or disturb their nests, and ospreys are still vulnerable, even though they are no longer endangered in Vermont said Tina Scharf, coordinator of the Osprey Recovery Project of the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife. We want to know what happened.

Governor Jim Douglas and Treasurer Jeb Spaulding will join with The FINRA Foundation and AARP Vermont Thursday morning to launch a statewide campaign to protect older consumers from the growing threat of investment-related cons and scams. The initiative kicks off at the Sheraton Burlington Conference Center with a press conference and educational forum for some 300 area residents. State Police Lieutenant Robert Kalinoski will also speak at the press conference to share a personal story about how his father was taken in and eventually defrauded in Bennington.
WHAT: Official launch of Vermont Investor Protection campaign followed by an educational workshop for 300 participants.
WHO: Vermont Governor Jim Douglas, State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding, John Gannon, President The FINRA Foundation, Greg Marchildon, State Director -- AARP Vermont, Robert Kalinoski, VT State Police Lieutenant and son of defrauded citizen

Today Governor Jim Douglas officially welcomed a former Connecticut company that makes banners and fabric displays to its new factory in Vermont, along with the good-paying jobs it is bringing. Project Graphics, founded in 1992, is a manufacturer of fabric displays whose national and international clients include towns and cities, educational institutions, shopping centers and developments, and promotions for the retail environment. Those displays include hanging banners, banner stands, backdrops, window or showroom displays, point-of-purchase displays, table coverings, holiday décor, interior and exterior installations and streetscape signage.

Vermont Public Radio's regional news coverage has been honored by Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI) with four national awards. VPR won a first place award for its coverage of the death of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett and subsequent reporting on Vermont's sex offender laws. VPR also received a first place award for Philip Baruth's commentary on Vermont's low birth rate.
VPR won a second place award for the documentary "Those CCC Boys," which explored the lives of surviving enlistees of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the legacy of the Corps itself. The documentary was produced by Lynne McCrea and written and narrated by Steve Delaney. Vermont Edition's Jane Lindholm also won a second-place award for her interview on raising pigs.
"These awards reflect VPR's commitment to broad and in-depth regional news reporting," said VPR President Robin Turnau.