Current News

James Roth, cofounder of The Treehouse Guys of Warren, Vermont, (formerly Forever Young Treehouses), is the 2011 recipient of Paralyzed Veterans of America's Barrier-Free America Award. Roth, through his company, has built 34 universally accessible treehouses in private camps and public parks across the country. John Connell, the architect behind the first prototype designs received honorable mention for his work.

"It's an honor to be recognized by Paralyzed Veterans of America for our work," Roth said. "It's been a dream for us to build these accessible treehouses so that everyone, no matter their physical ability, can experience the joy of what it's like to 'climb' and be at the top of a treehouse."

Governor Peter Shumlin announced today that the US Department of Agriculture has approved the administration’s request for natural disaster declaration assistance for farmers in all 14 counties in Vermont (Lamoille, Washington and Windham were named as contiguous disaster areas) to help with damage costs from storms and heavy rainfall that began in April.
‘I appreciate Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack approving this request, and hope farmers who lost crops and equipment in the spring and summer storms will move quickly to seek emergency loan assistance from the Farm Service Agency,’ the Governor said.
The Governor also thanked Vermont’s congressional delegation ‘ Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders, and Rep. Peter Welch ‘ who helped secure storm-related federal assistance for farmers and communities from the spring storms and Tropical Storm Irene.

The Vermont Community Foundation is making grants available to assist Vermont nonprofit organizations affected by Tropical Storm Irene. Online applications are available on their website: http://www.vermontcf.org/sun-irene.
Organizations may apply for up to $5,000 to support repair and recovery for damage sustained from the storm or to cover increased demand for services being provided to those affected by the storm. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and grant decisions are made within two weeks of the submission date.
The Foundation has also listed other Irene-related grant opportunities for Vermont non profits as follows:
FEMA for public assistance grants
CVCAC for small business grants through the VT Irene Flood Relief Fund
Marlboro College for scholarships for nonprofits with flood damage

Global precision molder and contract manufacturer GW Plastics announced today the expansion of its Silicones Division in Royalton, Vermont, to support increasing demand. With an initial investment of approximately $3 million dollars, GW will break ground in October 2011 and plans for full occupancy by the first quarter of 2012.
GW Silicones offers highly-automated, precision molding and contract assembly services for Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) applications, as well as, internal mold design and build capabilities. The new expansion will allow for increased capacity by creating an additional 15,000 square feet, scalable up to 25,000 square feet, including a new ISO Class 8 cleanroom for silicone molding and assembly. The initial expansion will be capable of supporting up to 18 machines. Based upon current projections, GW expects the expansion to add 25 to 50 jobs over the next three to five years.

Governor Peter Shumlin today announced his support for the Vermont Long Term Disaster Recovery Group (VLTDRG), a body that is central to long term recovery efforts relating to natural disasters in Vermont. The Group is responsible for providing financial and resource-based needs to individuals who need assistance beyond what Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or insurance companies can provide through in-kind donations, volunteer resources and the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund.
‘This is the only statewide non-profit exclusively dedicated to disaster relief,’ said Governor Shumlin. ‘The Vermont Long Term Disaster Recovery Group will help to fill the gap for individuals who need the most help rebuilding their lives.’

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced loans and grants for more than 500 agricultural producers and rural small businesses across the country to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in their operations. Vermont receive more than $250,000 for solar projects in Windham County.
‘This funding is an important part of the Obama Administration’s plan to help the nation’s farmers, agricultural producers and rural small businesses conserve natural resources, create more green jobs and lead us on the path to becoming an energy independent nation,’ Vilsack said. ‘These projects are in addition to the more than 900 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects recently announced during the President’s Rural Economic Forum.’

Hampton Direct, Inc, an award winning Williston Vermont-based company that develops, brands and markets innovative products for the Direct Response industry, has teamed up with the United Way to provide much-needed assistance to fellow Vermonters who have been affected by Tropical Storm Irene. For each Hampton Direct employee that donated at least $10 to assist the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund, Hampton Direct matched that with an additional $100 corporate donation. The end goal raised $4,438 for the cause.
Hampton Direct sells to retailers globally, and its brands include Twin Draft Guard®, Wonder Hanger®, Total Pillow®, Furniture Fixâ ¢ and PajamaJeans®.

The Community College of Vermont will receive a $2.5 million job-training grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, the Vermont congressional delegation announced today.
The grant comes through a career training program, said Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.).
‘The Community College of Vermont has a proven record of effective service to students, communities, and employers in Vermont,’ the delegation said in a joint letter to U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis supporting the grant request.
The college has matched course offerings with what employers say are the most-needed skills. A new Community College of Vermont program offers a fast-track associate degree for adults enrolled in courses that provide training in high-demand, high-growth career fields.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2011

Secretary of State Jim Condos has announced the 2012 Request for Proposals (RFP) under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) to improve voting opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Municipal Voting Access for Individuals with Disabilities (MV AID), is intended to help ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to polling places. Funding will be available to municipalities. If the polling place is in a school, the school district is considered a municipality and may apply for funding. Municipalities may apply to receive funds to ensure that their polling facility is accessible to individuals with a full range of disabilities. This may include activities such as paving parking areas, building ramps inside/outside buildings, building curb cuts, improving lighting and replacing door knobs with lever handles.

The Vermont Agency of Transportation opened a nearly 20-mile stretch of Route 100 between West Bridgewater and Ludlow Friday that had been closed since Tropical Storm Irene.

Vermont State Auditor Tom Salmon today announced that he will run for re-election. Salmon had been considering, or been considered for, several other statewide offices. The Republican from St Johnsbury had been linked to possible runs for governor, Congress and US Senate. It was generally thought that the GOP office-seekers would wait for former Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie to decide his future political plans before making their moves. Dubie lost the governship narrowly to Peter Shumlin last year. Dubie has yet to annouce his intentions.

Together with her children, Cynthia Hoehl, wife of the late Robert Hoehl, has fulfilled a pledge for a major gift to student scholarship at Saint Michael’s College, made by the couple during Visions, the college’s last comprehensive campaign. The gift of $2 million will be announced tonight by Saint Michael’s President John J. Neuhauser, at the annual Athletic Hall of Fame dinner at the Doubletree Hotel Burlington.
‘Saint Michael’s is a part of our life. It means a great deal to all of us and did especially to Bob,’ said Cynthia Hoehl.
The gift is designated to support scholarship aid for students who meet admission criteria of the college, but could not afford to attend Saint Michael's College without financial assistance.