Current News
by tim
Weekly unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week to their highest level in six weeks. In recent weeks they had fallen to their lowest levels since Troplica Storm Irene hit at the end of August. There was a second spike around New Year's, where they reached 2,000 new claims. By comparison, new claims last summer were running under 500. Last week there were 959 new regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance in Vermont last week. This is an increase of 243 from the week before and are 269 fewer than last year's total.
by tim
In November and December 2011, people who contributed to Vermont Public Television’s year-end fundraiser saw their generosity help two statewide causes: VPT and the Vermont Foodbank. Northfield Savings Bank, a longtime supporter of both organizations, offered to donate three meals to the Foodbank for every contribution in any amount to VPT’s year-end campaign.The result is 22,452 meals for Vermonters to be served by the Foodbank.
In February, Tom Pelletier, president of Northfield Savings Bank, with John King, president of VPT, presented a check for $12,500, the cost of the meals, to John Sayles, CEO of Vermont Foodbank
Vermont Public Television. 3.2.2012.
by tim
by vtdigger.org Attorney General Bill Sorrell is running for re-election this fall, but his main man in office (Governor Peter Shumlin) is holding off on endorsing a candidate until after Labor Day.
When asked at his weekly press conference whether he would endorse Sorrell, Shumlin paused for a few seconds, then said, ‘The attorney general is doing a great job for Vermont. I’m not going to get involved in electoral politics until past the filing date in any of the offices statewide in Vermont to see whether or not anyone â ¦ There are other people seeking those offices, so we’ll have plenty of time for politics after Labor Day so we’ll discuss it then.’
Sorrell currently has no official opponent, but prominent figures like Sen. Vince Illuzzi, R-Essex-Orleans; Speaker of the House Shap Smith and Chittenden County State’s Attorney TJ Donovan are all rumored to be mulling taking up the challenge.
by tim
Strategies For College, Inc. and College Planning Associates, LLC, a Vermont Agency Company, have entered into an agreement to combine their service offerings. College bound students and their parents can now get one stop shopping for help with college selection, admissions counseling, and maximizing financial aid and merit scholarships.
by tim
US Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Representative Peter Welch (D-VT) announced today that the US Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Vermont $3.4 million in funding to help support Head Start programs in Barre and Burlington.
The Central Vermont Community Action Agency in Barre was awarded $1.8 million. Another $1.5 million will go to the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity of Burlington.
Head Start programs provide education to low-income children and social services for their families. Currently, 344 Vermont children ages 3-5 receive all-day child care through the Head Start program, which allows parents to work or complete their education.
by og
The 17th annual Burlington Mardi Gras Sunday was a huge success, in part due to the excellent weather. Over 30 floats participated in the parade on Main Street. Business was booming with an estimated 20,000 spectators.
Church Street, Burlington VT
Former Governor Howard Dean, left, helped Burlington mayoral candidate Miro Weinberger, right, campaign during the festivities.
Hundreds participated in the Pararde.
Spectators from all over joined in the Festivities.
AllScripts's Angry Birds Float
Birdy Slingshot
One of the best floats of 2012.
Street Performers engaged spectors before the parade.
Even Chewbaccagot in on the Mardi Gras Fun.
Photo Courtesy of Nick Rivers, Vermont Business Magazine.
by tim
The owner of Green Mountain Power and Vermont Gas Systems has secured a new line of financing. Gaz Métro inc (GMi) has announced that it has entered into a new credit agreement with its bank syndicate providing for a$600 millionsecured revolving credit facility which will mature onMarch 2, 2017.
The new credit facility, which replaces the$400 millioncredit facility originally put in place onDecember 21, 2004, is guaranteed by Gaz Métro Limited Partnership (Gaz Métro) and is comprised of a revolving loan available to GMi and a swingline loan available to GMi and GazMétro. Besides the$200 millionincrease in the size of the facility and the extended maturity, the terms of the new credit agreement are substantially similar to the agreement previously in place. The new credit facility is also secured by collateral security backed by the assets of GMi and Gaz Métro.
Overview of Valener, GazMétro and GMi
by tim
John Dwyer, President and CEO of New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU) has announced that the credit union has surpassed $1 billion in serviced first mortgages.
‘This is a truly significant milestone for NEFCU. To put the achievement in context, out of 7,000 credit unions nationwide, NEFCU ranks in the top 25.’
Dwyer lauded the commitment and expertise underlying such an accomplishment.
‘It is a testament to the significant talents and personal efforts of our mortgage staff as well as all of those who support them.’
Williston, VT, March 2, 2012
by tim
Maple Landmark Woodcraft of Middlebury has reached an agreement with the Smithsonian Institution to supply the museum with select Vermont made wooden items.
The Smithsonian Institution came under harsh criticism and made headlines when United States Senator Bernie Sanders, I-VT, tried to buy American made gifts for Christmas 2010 at the one of the Smithsonian Gift Shops and found nothing but imports. Senator Sanders was appalled that even the busts of our Founding Fathers were made in China.
Jill Stackhouse, Sales Manager at Maple Landmark, had been working for several years to get Maple Landmark’s American made products into the museum but no one seemed to notice or care. ‘Senator Sanders did a great job at shining a light on the issue but even then getting noticed by Smithsonian buyers was difficult. Ultimately, we would not be selling to the Smithsonian Gift Shops without the constant pressure from Senator Sanders or his staff.’
Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty released the Year-End real estate market report for Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, and Addison counties reflecting home sales and trends for 2011. The report analyzes the data for each county, town, and within Chittenden County provides a unique analysis by school district.
The Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty Market Report reveals sales volume across Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle and Addison counties rose 7% over last year, while the median sale price for residential properties’ single-family homes, condominiums and mobile homes ‘gained about 1%. The region last year demonstrated a healthy, robust sell-to-list price ratio of 96%, while pending sales remained consistent, signaling a steady stream of transactions.
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Friday announced $3 million in new funding for a wide range of locally managed water quality, fisheries and ecosystem restoration work on Lake Champlain during the coming year.
The federal dollars, just recently confirmed, are part of the newly enacted federal budget for this federal fiscal year. Leahy is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the funds he secures for Vermont have long been the main engine for cleanup efforts involving the Lake and its watershed.
Leahy was joined by Vermont Secretary of Natural Resources Deb Markowitz and other state and federal officials and by dozens of leaders of local watershed groups in making the announcement at the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain on Burlington’s waterfront.
by og
New York, New York -- McGraw-Hill Construction today reported on January contractsfor future construction in the state of Vermont.
An authority on the construction market, the firm produces Dodge Reports and Sweets Catalog Files.
According to the Research and Analytics unit of McGraw-Hill Construction, the latest month's construction activity followed this pattern:
2012
2011
Percent Change
Non-Residential
$2,862,000
$13,315,000
-79%
Residential
$12,077,000
$8,934,000
35%
Nonbuilding
$8,066,000
$12,075,000
-33%
Total Construction
$23,005,000
$34,324,000
-33%
For the year-to-date on a cumulative basis, the totals are:
2012
2011
Percent Change
Non-Residential
$2,862,000
$13,315,000
-79%
Residential
$12,077,000
$8,934,000
35%