Current News

Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty has released a real estate market report for Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, and Addison counties reflecting home sales for the summer real estate season, May through August, as well as a year to date comparison. The report analyzes the data for each county, town, and within Chittenden County provides a unique analysis by school district.
"As a Realtor," said Tom Shampnois, "I often say real estate is a local business with trends varying by town and within each community. With that in mind, we have formatted this report and presented the data in a similar way that a home buyer may search for a home- by property type, location, or within a specific school district. In addition, the report summarizes trends in northwest Vermont's luxury market, as well as multi-family investment properties."

Mount Snow employed a helicopter earlier this month to fly-in the 25 lift towers for its new six passenger bubble chairlift. A Sikorsky construction helicopter was used to fly twenty-five 8,500+ pound lift towers from the base of Mount Snow up the mountain, placing the galvanized steel towers on bolts the size of wiffleball bats from almost 100-feet in the air.
This is the most significant part of the installation process for Mount Snow’s new $8.5 million lift.

Vermont HITEC, Inc, a nonprofit organization dedicated to high-quality workforce development, today announced an education and apprenticeship program that will bring 30 high-tech jobs to Vermont over the next several months.
The newly developed program is a partnership between Vermont HITEC and Allscripts, the leading global provider of Electronic Health Records and other technologies essential to creating a Connected Community of Healthâ ¢. It provides free education and on-site apprenticeship training at Allscripts South Burlington, Vermont, location. The program is designed for unemployed and underemployed Vermont residents. Successful completion of the program will lead directly to full-time employment as an Associate Interface Analyst in the growing field of Electronic Health Records.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) today announced two grants totaling $165,555 for the Green Mountain Farm Direct and the Northeast Organic Farming Association to expand access to locally-produced food for Vermont seniors, low-income families and others.
‘These worthwhile projects will increase Vermonters’ access to fresh, healthy, locally-produced foods,’ Sanders said.
Green Mountain Farm Direct in Newport, Vt., is slated to receive $97,029 to build a mobile farmers market that will deliver fresh foods to senior meal sites, low-income housing sites, and community centers throughout Essex and Orleans Counties. The mobile market ‘ a big bus equipped with refrigeration and a prep kitchen ‘ will travel to local farms to buy food and make deliveries to senior meal sites, low-income housing facilities, and community centers throughout the region.

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce today announced the winners of five Vermont Chamber Hospitality Awards:
Borden Avery Innkeeper of the Year: Brett Loehr, Linchris Hotel Corp
B & B Innkeepers of the Year: Frank & Julie Hanes, Inn at Manchester
Chef of the Year: Chef Tom Bivins, New England Culinary Institute
Restaurateurs of the Year: Michael & Laura Kloeti, Michael’s on the Hill in Waterbury
Allied Member of the Year: David Grimm, Champlain Valley Exposition
These individuals, recognized for their exceptional dedication and commitment to high standards in Vermont’s tourism industry, will be honored at the black tie-optional Vermont Hospitality Gala, on November 15 at the Woodstock Inn.

The Green Mountain Club welcomed the news that the US Forest Service has reopened the last stretch of the Long Trail closed in Vermont. Due to damage from tropical storm Irene, three miles of trail in Shrewsbury remained closed for a month ‘ weeks after the rest of the Long Trail reopened following the forest closure.
‘I am pleased to hear that this stretch of the Long Trail is being reopened following damage from Tropical Storm Irene,’ Gov. Peter Shumlin said. ‘The Long Trail is important to Vermont’s recreational and tourism economy, and restoring access to this beautiful trail is one more sign of progress in our state's long road to recovery from Irene."

The somewhat-late-to-bloom foliage season of 2011 continues to dazzle as the color change sweeps to the lower elevation foothills and mountain valleys. The highest elevations are showing leaf drop, but brilliant foliage is on display throughout the state.
‘It’s awesome!’exclaimed Addison County Forester Chris Olson after driving through much of west central Vermont midweek. ‘I don’t know if Ben & Jerry’s have a flavor for foliage, but it would be worth it. This year has awesome, intense colors and pastels. Route 22A is absolute peak,’ Olson adds. He also suggests the gap roads, Route 17 and 125, or the Lincoln Gap between Bristol and Warren.
All areas west of the Green Mountains are showing bright foliage, particularly from Hinesburg and Bristol to Middlebury and Castleton and south down Route 7.

Porter Airlines is launching seasonal service to Burlington, Vermont, this winter, expanding its US network and adding a new destination for passengers looking to enjoy a season on the ski hills.
With twice-weekly roundtrip flights from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Burlington International Airport beginning on Dec. 15 until April 8, passengers can enjoy easy access to some of Vermont's best skiing and a rich assortment of local attractions.
"This is a great partnership that will boost tourism in Vermont and provide an economic boost to our ski areas," said Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin.

For the second consecutive year, the CVPS Fill the Cupboard Challenge beat its collection goal, this time topping its target number of 22,000 items. A total of 23,727 items were collected by 65 local businesses, community groups, schools and organizations from Sept. 6 and October 7.
‘With Tropical Storm Irene devastating the area just prior to the event, we weren’t sure what to expect,’ said CVPS spokeswoman Christine Rivers. ‘However, the Rutland community showed once again its unrelenting ability to rise to the challenge and work together to help make a difference for those in need.’
The food collected during the Fill the Cupboard Challenge is expected to last up to the holiday season, when donations are at their peak.
Rutland Middle and High School fall sports teams won the challenge by collecting a total of 4,320 food items. CVPS will donate $500 to the Cupboard in their name.

Vestas has received a 65 MW order from Green Mountain Power for 21, V112-3.0 MW wind turbines for the Kingdom Community Wind project near Lowell, Vermont, USA. This is the first order for V112-3.0 MW turbines in North America.
The contract includes delivery and commissioning, and a 15-year service and maintenance agreement. Delivery is scheduled for mid- 2012 and commissioning is expected by the end of 2012.
‘The V112-3.0 MW turbine features our latest technologies and is designed for wind speeds such as those found in this particular area,’ said Martha Wyrsch, President of Vestas-American Wind Technology, Inc. ‘Because of its large swept area, the turbine delivers high productivity. It’s designed for improved rotor efficiency, reliability and serviceability. We look forward to working with our new customer, Green Mountain Power, to install the first Vestas turbines in Vermont.’

Draker Laboratories (www.drakerlabs.com), the industry’s leading provider of high performance turnkey solar photovoltaic (PV) monitoring, today introduced its innovative Solar Prospector site assessment system. Solar Prospector is a comprehensive, turnkey solution for PV developers who need bankable energy projections to secure project financing. Solar Prospector allows stakeholders to better understand project risks and uncertainties through improved solar resource assessment at potential PV project sites. First previewed at InterSolar 2011, Draker will showcase Solar Prospector at the upcoming Solar Power International show in Dallas, TX, October 17 ‘ 20, 2011 (booth #100).

Saying US trade policy has been ‘a disaster’ for American workers, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said today he will vote against proposed trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia.
Sanders said that the agreements are a continuation of trade pacts like the North America Free Trade Agreement and normalized trade with China which resulted in the loss of millions of jobs in America and the loss of thousands of factories in Vermont and across the country.
‘Trade agreements like NAFTA and Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China have cost this country millions of good-paying jobs as companies shut down factories here and move to low-wage countries abroad,’ Sanders said in remarks prepared for a Senate floor speech.