Current News

The US Small Business Administration announced today that Grand Isle County is added to the disaster declaration for Private Non-Profit Organizations (PNPs) in Vermont that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature. The deadline to submit disaster loan applications is Oct. 31, 2011 for damages caused by Tropical Storm Irene that occurred on Aug. 27 - Sept. 2, 2011.
Non-Profit Organizations located in Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin,Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, Windsor and the newly added Grand Isle County in Vermont are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Examples of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

The Richmond-based Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) is now harvesting the sun for energy. Through a new solar orchard, the nationally-renowned VYCC will derive the power for its conservation, education, and agricultural programs from the sun, connecting their two iconic monitor barns in a contemporary way.
The VYCC will formally commission the solar orchard at its annual meeting and celebration -- Denim & Diamonds ‘ tomorrow, Saturday, September 24th.

There were 717 new regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance last week. This is a decrease of 359 from the week before, as new claims returned closer to typical levels following a two-week spike in claims resulting from tropical storm Irene. The week prior to the storm saw a seasonal low of fewer than 500 claims. Altogether 6,375 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 425 from a week ago and 962 fewer than a year earlier. The Department also processed 1,444 First Tier claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08), 14 fewer than a week ago. In addition, there were 727 Second Tier claims for benefits processed under the EUC08 program, which is a decrease of 8 from the week before. The Unemployment Weekly Report can be found at: http://www.vtlmi.info/.

Any crisis in a disaster situation, from a server malfunction to a flooded basement, could force a business to close its doors, reducing productivity and profits and possibly resulting in a permanent shut-down. Next week, in the fourth of four weekly webinars during National Preparedness Month, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Agility Recovery Solutions three business owners who faced losses of property and income after a disaster will share their experiences and what they learned about preparing for the next disaster.
On Wednesday, Sept. 28, bank vice president Scott Jenkins, insurance company president Terry Flood, and Joel Simpson, vice president of a plastics and glass supplier, will described how their companies recovered from losses caused, respectively, by a tornado, water damages from a burst pipe, and flooding. The three will also offer tips on how to protect themselves and their bottom line, based on their own experiences.

Award-winning Reporter Andy Potter announced his retirement from WCAX-TV this month after 14 years in front of the camera. The longtime journalist decided it was time to slow down after a series of health issues related to knee replacement surgery.
‘It’s been an honor to be able to tell the stories of Vermonters over the years,’ stated Potter, who is also a veteran of the Vietnam War. ‘I am looking forward to a slower beat in the days ahead,’ added Potter, a Middlebury College grad, whose affinity for Vermont has spanned decades.
From reporting on strikes to special elections, Potter has received numerous awards. His broadcast career includes television and radio; before becoming a TV journalist, Potter worked at several radio stations in Chittenden County.

Some Vermont municipalities that didn’t join or failed to comply with provisions of the National Flood Insurance Program ‘ potentially making their residents ineligible for some disaster assistance ‘ will be getting a second chance. Most of the towns are small, but the list includes Essex Junction and Manchester Village.
Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency said that some 39 Vermont communities who are listed as ‘sanctioned’ will be given until March 1, 2012, to apply for entrance into the NFIP (SEE LIST BELOW).

The Green Mountain National Forest, including the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, has re-opened to all Vermonters and visitors as of September 16th.
However, the damage to roads, bridges and trails in the Rochester and Middlebury Ranger Districts is extensive. Areas popular with tourists, Texas Falls and the Robert Frost trail, remain closed.
Please check the list of closures before directing visitors into the forest or venturing there yourself.

Brian Harwood of Waterbury was elected chairman of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s Governing Board of Directors during the VSO Association’s Annual Meeting Wednesday night (September 21, 2010) at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe. Other officers include Victoria Young of Proctor, vice chairman, Sylvia Robison of Burlington, secretary, and Malcolm Severance of Colchester, treasurer.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded Vermont $336,683 to help public housing agencies to retain or hire service coordinators to work directly with families who participate in HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher program. The coordinators will assist these voucher recipients to find employment resources and job training opportunities to put them on a path toward self-sufficiency.
‘In today’s economy, it’s never been more critical to help families obtain the skills that lead to jobs,’ said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. ‘With HUD’s help, these housing agencies will be able to assist families in finding employment, increasing their earning potential and putting them on a path to self sufficiency.’
Vermont

Burlington Housing Authority

VT001

$101,685

Vermont State Housing Authority

VT901

$234,998

A group of top state officials announced today that they have a plan to remove and dispose of mobile homes that were ruined by flooding in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene.
Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott and Lawrence Miller, Secretary of Commerce and Community Development, have been talking with private-sector partners for the last several days to nail down the framework for the plan, which they say offers a quick, responsible and affordable solution to a problem facing nearly 150 mobile home owners in more than a dozen parks around the state.
Under this plan, the total disposal cost for each individual mobile home owner will be $1,500. Typical disposal costs can run upwards of $3,500, particularly for older units. The group secured this reduced cost by requesting bulk pricing proposals from Vermont contracting firms on demolition, sorting, recycling and hauling of the mobile homes, and working with the solid waste districts to reduce or waive tipping fees.

Governor Peter Shumlin, along with the other five governors of New England states, has sent a letter to Congress urging members not to reduce funding for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Governor Shumlin made the following statement regarding the letter:

In recent weeks many have experienced disaster first-hand, including record-breaking floods caused by hurricane Irene last month. After a disaster strikes, homeowners and businesses can face many challenges in their rebuilding and recovery efforts. This month’s web chat will focus on what homeowners and businesses need to know after a disaster. September’s web chat hosts Phae Howard and Michael Mitravich will highlight key aspects of structural mitigation, rebuilding and preparedness.
WHO: Phae Howard, executive director of the National Center for the Prevention of Home Improvement Fraud, and Michael Mitravich of the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance will host September’s web chat on Disaster Recovery for Business Owners: An Inside View. Chat participants can get answers to questions such as how to select a credible contractor, what questions to ask when their property damage is assessed, or on what do to if just dealing with water damage.