Current News

The Greensburg Wind Farm in Greensburg, KS, has been named "Wind Project of the Year" by RenewableEnergyWorld.com, a leading renewable energy publication. This award recognizes the project's community benefits and unique financing model.Jeff Bernicke, president of NativeEnergy of South Burlington, accepted the award at the Renewable Energy World Conference and Expo in Tampa, Florida.
RenewableEnergyWorld.com said: "To recognize the perseverance of the people of Greensburg, Kansas, and the leadership of companies involved in developing and marketing the project, the 12.5 MW Greensburg Wind Farm is the 2011 'Wind Project of the Year.'"
In May 2007, a massive tornado leveled Greensburg, destroying 95% of the town. In the face of this tragedy, the citizens of Greensburg decided to rebuild as "the greenest town in America." This plan’spearheaded by non-profit Greensburg GreenTown’included construction of the Greensburg Wind Farm.

Vermont Business Magazine Sonnax Industries, an auto parts manufacturer based in Bellows Falls, has been sold to its employees. The previous owners, Tommy Harmon and Rick Fritz, sold 100% of the company stock to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The company employs about 150 people.

"The ESOP is the ultimate way to reward our employees for their contributions to the success of Sonnax," said Sonnax President and CEO Tommy Harmon. "From now on when customers, suppliers, or other stakeholders are interacting with Sonnax personnel, they will be dealing with an owner."

"The overriding benefit of the ESOP is that it allows employees to participate in the growth and success of the company. Additionally, the ESOP should be instrumental to Sonnax in attracting and retaining the best talent in our industry," Harmon added.

Jason Gibbs has been named Director of Marketing for Ski Vermont, the Vermont Ski Areas Association (VSAA). Founded in 1969, VSAA is the trade association representing Vermont’s alpine and Nordic ski areas in marketing, public affairs and governmental affairs. Gibbs has an extensive background in brand management and strategic communications, formerly serving as Commissioner of the Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation and as Communications Director for Governor Jim Douglas. Gibbs succeeds Kathleen Murphy, who has been appointed as the Chief Marketing Officer for the State of Vermont, and will assume his new role on March 28.

The Senate Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to approve legislation to make the first reforms to the nation’s patent system in nearly six decades. The America Invents Act is the product of nearly six years of debate in Congress. The bill is sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and is cosponsored by a dozen other Senators.
‘The America Invents Act will promote American innovation, create American jobs and grow America’s economy, all without adding to the deficit,’ said Leahy. ‘It is a jobs bill that won’t spend a penny of taxpayer dollars. It is commonsense legislation that will help preserve America’s position as the global leader in invention and innovation. I hope that the House will look favorably on our work and adopt this measure so that it can be sent it to the President without delay and its improvements can take effect in order to encourage American innovation and promote American invention.’

The Clothes Exchange is pleased to announce that Horny Toad® Activewear, a national outdoor clothing company based in Santa Barbara, CA, has signed on as an apparel sponsor for 2011.
Horny Toad makes outdoor inspired, sustainably oriented clothing for men and women. It is committed to lessening its environmental footprint, and to making informed social and environmental business decisions. As an avid community advocate and activist, joining forces with the Clothes Exchange is a natural fit for the company.
‘Giving back and helping others is part of our DNA. We’re grateful for the efforts of the Clothes Exchange and proud to be part of such a well-organized and community-oriented event that touches so many lives in Burlington,’ said Gordon Seabury, CEO at Horny Toad.

MicroStrain of Williston continues to be at the forefront of energy harvesting wireless sensor networks.

US Representative Peter Welch has announced the appointment of a new communications director and a new legislative director.
Welch promoted Scott Coriell, who has worked as a staff assistant and press assistant in his Washington office, to the position of communications director. Also promoted was Jake Oster, who previously served as scheduler and legislative assistant, to the position of legislative director.
A Killington native and a graduate of Middlebury College, Coriell previously served as program coordinator for World Camp Inc., a non-profit organization that provides HIV/AIDS outreach services to communities in Malawi. Coriell also interned for Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) and managed the web site of his family’s Killington-based business, Peak Performance Ski Shop. His brother, David, was Governor Jim Douglas' last press secretary.

In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week and in response to ongoing Vermont consumer complaints, Attorney General William H Sorrell warns consumers to be wary of frauds and scams that use wire transfer services, debt consolidators, and threatening collection calls all intended to take money from Vermonters.
Fraud
"Through a variety of means - posing as family or friends in distress, classified ads, bogus lottery and sweepstakes prize notices, and phony job offers - scammers use creative ways to get consumers to send them money by wire ransfer. We all need to know, and to make sure our loved ones know, that wire transfers are a key tool for scammers to get your hard-earned money. Vermonters should consider suspicious and possibly fraudulent, any unanticipated requests for funds by wire transfer."
How can you tell if it's fraud?

by Anne Galloway vtdigger.org March 8, 2011 The Vermont Department of Labor issued a stop-work order in January to Starr’s United, a trucking company in North Troy. The business is under investigation for an alleged failure to hold a workers’ compensation insurance policy on its 20 employees, according to Labor Department officials. An injury claim from an employee triggered the probe.
State Senator Bobby Starr, D-Essex-Orleans, is president of the company and has served as director of the Vermont Truck and Bus Association. When he was reached by phone last Friday, he said, ‘I really don’t know what you’re talking about ‘ I don’t know anything about it.’
Starr said he is ‘gone most of the winter’ and his son, Eric, who is the general manager, is ‘dealing with that.’
Stephen Monahan, director of the Workers’ Compensation & Safety Division, said the stop-work order was issued on Jan. 21 and remains in effect.
Dig Deeper

Governor Shumlin recently appointed three members to the State Board of Education. Sean-Marie Oller of Bennington was appointed for a six-year term. William Mathis of Goshen was appointed to complete four years of a vacated term. Stephan Morse of Newfane was reappointed to the Board for six years after completing a previously vacated term.

A Middlesex woman with an extensive background in marketing and brand management will be the new chief marketing officer for the State of Vermont.
Kathy Murphy, currently the director of marketing for the Vermont Ski Areas Association, will join the state Agency of Commerce and Community Development this month as the new chief marketing officer. Murphy will assist various state agencies with marketing campaigns and oversee the process of updating the Vermont Brand.
‘Kathy brings 25 years of marketing experience and a comprehensive understanding of the Vermont Brand,’ said Agency of Commerce of Community Development Secretary Lawrence Miller. ‘As the public and private sector work together to explore new ways to market Vermont, Kathy will provide valuable insight, guidance and leadership.’

Fitch Ratings assigns an 'AA' rating to the following 2011 Vermont Municipal Bond Bank bonds, issued under the 1988 General Resolution:
--$9,500,000 (federally taxable qualified school construction bonds) 2011 series 1.
The bonds are expected to sell via negotiation on March 9, 2011. Bond proceeds will be loaned to two local school districts for capital improvements.
In addition, Fitch affirms $516,930,000 in outstanding general resolution bonds at 'AA'.
The Rating Outlook is Stable.
RATING RATIONALE:
--The program's pledged reserves and loan repayments, excluding federal subsidies, allow the bonds to withstand borrower defaults of up to 17.22% for four years without causing an interruption in bond payments. This is consistent with Fitch's criteria for assigning an 'AA' rating given the loan pool's borrowers' credit quality, size and diversification.