Current News
by tim
Summer Tourism Outlook Survey Shows Trend Toward Last Minute Travel
A survey of Vermont Chamber of Commerce travel and tourism members conducted in the past week shows that the majority of businesses are expecting a positive summer season with many last minute reservations.
A total of 70% of respondents are looking forward to a business season that is the same or better than last summer: 30% of respondents said business is looking better than last year, while 40% said that they expect the summer 2005 season to be on par with last summer.
by tim
Letter dated Monday May 16, 2005, from State Senator Matt Dunne (D-Windsor) to supporters announcing his intention to run for Congress.
Good Morning.
It is with great excitement that I write to share with you my decision to run for the United States Congress.
As many of you know, Sen. Jim Jeffords unexpectedly announced last month that he will not seek a third term in the U.S. Senate. Within hours, our lone Congressman Bernie Sanders announced he would seek Jeffords seat. The Vermont political landscape for 2006 is already starting to take shape.
by tim
SPECIALTY FILAMENTS, INC., ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF BURLINGTON, VERMONT
MANUFACTURING FACILITY
BURLINGTON, VT-The Board of Directors of Specialty Filaments, Inc. ("SFI")
announced Friday May 20 that SFI will close its Burlington, Vermont, manufacturing
plant. SFI anticipates that manufacturing operations will end at the
Burlington plant between July 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005. SFI will
increase manufacturing activity at its Middlebury, Vermont location,
continue to offer its full product line and expects no interruption in
customer service.
The Board's decision represents a change in the scope and direction of
SFI's manufacturing operations. This decision will better align SFI's
fixed-cost structure with its current and anticipated future sales levels.
This decision will enable SFI to be a stronger marketplace competitor and
will preserve good manufacturing jobs for Vermonters.
by tim
BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Champlain College Professor Joseph H. OGrady was awarded the Edward Phelps Lyman Professorship in early May. "This institution has reaped the benefits of Joe's dedication to his students and to teaching," said President Roger H. Perry. O'Grady teaches human resources, business and management courses. He has taught at Champlain since 1987 and he spent three years as chairman of the Business Administration Division in the early 1990s.
OGrady was praised for reaching students and preparing them for the workplace. He has earned the respect of colleagues for his leadership skills and his work on new projects and programs.
OGrady maintains the professional designation of Senior Professional in Human Resources, awarded by the Society for Human Resource Management. His academic interests include trends in employment law, HR best practices, business problem solving models and workplace competencies.
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by tim
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by tim
Exposition Convenes Community Study Group
To Begin Work on Pearl Street Vision Project
Saratoga Associates hired to develop proposals for village 'Gateway'
ESSEX JUNCTION - A diverse group of village officials, business owners, community members, and planners gathered recently at the Champlain Valley Exposition to explore how they want Pearl Street - the gateway to Essex Junction - to look, feel and function.
Saratoga Associates of Saratoga Springs, NY was hired by the Champlain Valley Exposition's Board of Directors to provide its architectural and streetscape planning services to the village as it begins reviewing how Pearl Street works and ways it could be improved. "It's a way of giving something back to the community that will have a lasting impact. It matters to us what happens because Pearl Street is the front door of the Fair and the many other events held here" said CVE's General Manager David Grimm.
by tim
Business Roundtable survey indicates CEOs are still optimistic about economy
South Burlington, VT -- Results for the Vermont Business Roundtable's
Second Quarter, 2005 CEO Economic Outlook Survey, show that though down
slightly from the previous quarter, business executives continue to be
very optimistic with regard to sales forecasts. At the same time,
however, projections in terms of capital spending indicate a great degree
of variability when tracked over the last six quarters. In terms of
employment levels, this quarter shows Roundtable members' most pessimistic
outlook yet in terms of employment decreases for the coming six-month
period.
Bill Stritzler, Managing Director of Smugglers' Notch Resort in
Jeffersonville is a member of the Roundtable. When asked to comment on
his CEO Economic Outlook Survey responses, Stritzler said, "Sales are
by tim
WinCycle, the Windsor non-profit that refurbishes and recycles computer equipment, has moved its retail store to a new location: the Firehouse at Windsor at 147 Main Street. This new location, one flight down from street level, increases the size of our store and combines it with our recycling operation. Well be able to receive and process computer equipment in one building so there will be more for sale and more available for donation.
Business hours have also changed. We are now open Thursdays from Noon to 8pm and Saturdays from 10am to 1 pm.
WinCycle was founded in 2002 to address three important issues:
" the growing volume of computer equipment in the waste stream,
" the growing need of local schools for computer equipment, and
by tim
BURLINGTON, Vt.--At Champlain College's Commencement Ceremony on May 7, the College presented its Distinguished Citizen Award to Major General Martha T. Rainville --the Adjutant General of the State of Vermont--and the members of the Vermont National Guard.
The ceremony was presided over by the chair of the Champlains Board of Trustees, William G. Post, Jr., and President Dr. Roger H. Perry, who delivered the Commencement Address and will retire at the end of June. Post said the awardees have collectively demonstrated tremendous leadership skills and community service, both in and outside of the Guard.
When Champlains trustees met to discuss this years recipients, these were some of the words that were shared: Dignity, service and caring, Post said.
by tim
David Krupa joins Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont's Management Team
Berlin, VT -- David Krupa, of South Burlington, VT, has been named the Vice President of Marketing at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) and will be accountable for Sales, Business Service and Retention, and Product Development functions. He is also responsible for the development and coordination of product advertising. Prior to joining BCBSVT, Mr. Krupa was employed at ConnectiCare, Connecticuts largest privately owned health plan serving over 250,000 members with nationally recognized service and quality. He has extensive experience in consumer and business-to-business marketing including brand management, business development, broker relations, marketing, communications, product management, and market research.
by tim
The INTERNATIONAL SAILING SCHOOL & CLUB has commissioned it's 25th season of excellence in sail education. Located at 511 West Lakeshore Drive in Colchester, Vermont; thousands have discovered the sport of sailing with our 2 & 5 day instructional programs. Lake Champlain is a sailor's paradise nestled between the Adirondacks & Green Mountains; Vermont's best kept secret!!
by tim
Third Generation of Family Ownership Assumes Reins Waitsfield, VT A new generation takes the reins at Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom this week with the promotion of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Gregg Haskin to the position of President & Chief Executive Officer. After 50 years of managing the family owned company, Dana and Eleanor Haskin will step down from daily operations, but will remain active on the Board of Directors.