Current News
by tim
The US Department of the Treasury released a report showing that Vermont Community Loan Fund, Inc of Montpelier, Vermont, has increased its small business lending by $3.3 million since receiving capital through Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF).
The SBLF, which was established as part of the Small Business Jobs Act that President Obama signed into law, encourages community banks to increase their lending to small businesses to help them grow and create new jobs. Treasury invested more than $4 billion in 332 institutions, located in over 3,000 communities in 48 states, through the SBLF. Nationwide, institutions participating in the SBLF significantly increased small business lending in the last quarter of 2011 by $1.3 billion over the prior quarterâ for a total of $4.8 billion over their baseline.
by tim
Officials atVermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, the largest year-round disabled sports non-profit organization in Vermont, recently announced that it has partnered withLong Trail Brewingfor its second annual Century Ride.
After what came together in less than six weeks in 2011 for its inaugural ride, thanks to the inspiration of Lookout Tavern owner Phil Black, the second annualLong Trail Century Rideto benefit Vermont Adaptive will be held on Saturday, June 23. Up to 500 riders are expected to participate in the fundraising event. An après-ride party, featuring the music of the Pete Kilpatrick Band, will be held after the ride at the brewery.
The century ride, plus 50- and 20-mile routes, will start and end at the Long Trail Brewery in Bridgewater Corners. The routes will travel through Killington and surrounding communities including Irene-survived Pittsfield, Stockbridge, Bethel, Woodstock, and Ludlow.
by tim
Three out of four Vermonters say they are interested in using â an online health insurance exchange’to compare and purchase health insurance, according to a Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) survey. After learning more about the â online health insurance exchange,’that number grows to 86 percent who say they would be interested in using the website if they are uninsured in 2014.
This â online health insurance exchange,’also known as the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange), will launch a new website in the Fall of 2013 where individuals, families and small businesses in Vermont can search for health insurance, compare plans side-by-side and enroll. The website will feature plans from private carriers as well as public programs, like Medicaid and Dr. Dynasaur. The Exchange will also create a Navigator program ‘giving Vermonters access to assistance online, in-person and over the phone.
by tim
US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Governor Peter Shumlin and the Vermont Department of Public Service today hosted a Vermont Clean Energy Investment Summit.The goal of the conference was to determine how the state could become a model for the nation in moving more aggressively toward energy efficiency and developing sustainable sources of clean energy.
â Moving forward aggressive in energy efficiency and sustainable energy is a win, win, win situation,’Sanders said. â We protect our environment by cutting greenhouse gas emissions. We save homeowners money on their heating bills through strong weatherization and energy efficiency efforts and, in the middle of a recession, we create jobs in Vermont, not in Saudi Arabia and not in Iran.â
by tim
by Anne Galloway April 9, 2012 vtdigger.org As lawmakers hotly debated last week whether they should have a say in the CVPS and Green Mountain Power merger, the quasi-judicial body that ultimately will decide whether to approve the marriage between the stateâ s two largest utilities held hearings on the deal.
by tim
The cost of housing in Vermont continued to decline in 2011, according to The Vermont Economy Newsletterâ s annual housing affordability analysis.
â The share of median family income needed to finance the payments on a median priced home in Vermont fell to 13.1% in 2011,’said Art Woolf, author of the study. â That means housing is more affordable today than it has been in the 25 years we have been tracking housing affordability. Other evidence suggests that housing has not been this affordable since at least the early 1970s,’he continued.
by tim
General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded a$7.8 millioncontract modification from the Naval Air Systems Command for production of more than 20 F/A-18 E/F 20mm gun systems for the Super Hornet fighter aircraft.
The F/A-18 E/F gun system is composed of a lightweight, six-barrel 20mm M61A2 Gatling gun equipped with a closed-loop rotary linkless feed system. The system has a maximum firing rate of up to 6,000 shots per minute and serves as the aircraft's last line of defense in close-in aerial engagements.
"General Dynamics has successfully produced the weapon system for the F/A-18 for more than 25 years," saidSteve Elgin, vice president and general manager of armament systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products. "The M61A2 F/A-18 gun system continues to be relevant, affordable and extremely effective."
by tim
Magic Mountain has joined forces with The Vermont Challenge to become the official final rest stop sponsor of the tour on Sunday, August 19.
Jim Sullivan stated "Magic is very excited to serve as the final rest stop for The Vermont Challenge. We'll work together with the Vermont Challenge team to offer all our riders a very special experience while refueling at Magic before the final leg of the tour! We couldn't think of a better way to introduce the bicyclists completing The Vermont Challenge to Magic than hosting them at our resort".
Magic offers some of the best classic New England ski trails and glades anywhere in Vermont and welcomes bicyclists to come out a give Magic a try next winter. John Sohikian, founder and president of The Vermont Challenge is excited to have Magic on board. "While I'm a diehard Stratton skier, Magic has always been that special place to experience classic New England skiing with narrow winding trails."
by tim
Basin Harbor Club welcomed two additions to their professional staff this winter. Rodney Rehwinkel joins the resort as Executive Chef, and PGA Professional Paul Meunier will head up the golf program. Both men bring over 30 years of experience in their respective fields to Basin Harbor Club.
Rodney Rehwinkelâ s extensive experience in the culinary world includes two years as Executive Chef at the renowned International Club in Bolton, MA where he catered to discriminating customers as well as New Englandâ s professional sports teams including the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins. Rehwinkel is also the Chef-Owner of Clear Culinary Consulting, Inc. in South Burlington where he consulted with mid-size regional restaurant companies on menu analysis, concept development, cost controls, and recipe work-ups.
by tim
Vermonters united to end senior hunger at the 2nd annual CVAA Bowl-a-Thon to Strike out Senior Hunger and Abuse. Twenty-two teams raised nearly $16,000 for CVAA's Meals on Wheels and Case Management programs.Tag Team Bowlers won for the high scoring team and Amy Lavery of Chipmunks Gone Wild won a trip for two to Orlando,Floridaand tickets to Walt Disney World. Team Second String Dwarves was recognized as the team that raised the most pledges to end senior hunger,they raised over $2200.
The theme at this year's bowl-a-thon was Disney and many teams decked out in costumes of their favorite characters.The Arbors of Wonderland won for best costume in their tribute to Alice in Wonderland. Some of the other crowd favorites were the Arbor Puppies, the Striking Beauties, the Comcast team's Snow White and Home Instead Senior Care's Winnie the Pooh tribute.
by og
The employee interviews, company rankings and profiles for the 2012 Best Places to Work in Vermont awards.
LINK TO PHOTOS
2012 Winners
Small/Medium Companies
1. Resource Systems Group Inc. â ¢ 2. Instrumart â ¢ 3. Fuse â ¢ 4. Heritage Aviation â ¢ 5. Hickok & Boardman Financial Planning & Group Benefits, Inc. â ¢ 6. ASIC North, Inc. â ¢ 7. Wells River Savings Bank â ¢ 8. Wild Apple Graphics â ¢ 9. Liquid Measurement Systems, Inc. â ¢ 10. Gallagher, Flynn & Company, LLPâ ¢ 11. Seventh Generation â ¢ 12. Farm & Wilderness Foundation â ¢ 13. Sonnax Industries, Inc.
Large Companies
1. Edward Jones â ¢ 2. BioTek Instruments, Inc. â ¢ 3. Entergy Vermont Yankee â ¢ 4. King Arthur Flour
â ¢ 5. Merchants Bank â ¢ 6. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. â ¢ 7. Vermont Energy Investment Corporation â ¢ 8. Comcast Cable â ¢ 9. Country Home Products
1. Resource Systems Group Inc.
Small/Medium Companies
by tim
This spring the Vermont Agency of Administration and the Green Mountain Care Board are seeking input from the public on the benefits to be included in the design of a single payer system for Vermont. To that end, there will be a public hearing and a series of listening sessions held over the next few months. Under Act 48 of 2011, the Shumlin Administration will recommend benefits to be included in the design of Green Mountain Care, the single payer system, as part of the financing plans to be considered by the Legislature in 2013. Approval of the Green Mountain Care Board also is required for the benefit recommendations.