Current News
by tim
Governor Douglas
Awards $1.3 Million In Community Development Grants
Ten
Communities To Receive Funds For Housing, Economic Development Projects
MILTON, Vt. – Creating affordable housing, jobs, and
alternative energy sources in Vermont were on the agenda as Governor Jim
Douglas on Monday announced the award of $1.3 million in community development
grants to ten communities.
“These grants will rehabilitate affordable housing;
create new elderly housing units and adult day care; help plan for responsible
future housing projects and promote job creation in Vermont,” Governor
Douglas said.
The $1,345,498 in Vermont Community Development Program
grants will also leverage $10,152,714 in other private and public resources, he
said during a ceremony in Milton.
A $297,500 grant to Meadowlane Housing Associates and
by tim
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Amanda
Ibey
223-0575 (office) or 802-505-0406 (cell)
Vermont Business
Leaders Deeply Concerned
Over Energy
Pricing, Reliability
New Survey Also
Shows Attention to Efficiency; Strong Support for Vermont Yankee, Wind, Biomass
and Other Energy Options
Montpelier, VT/February 4, 2008 – A new survey of 256 business leaders
throughout Vermont finds strong concerns about energy costs and reliability,
overwhelming support for developing renewable sources of electricity and
approving the license renewal of Vermont Yankee, and that a majority of
respondents currently maintain efficiency and conservation measures in their
business operations.
“Vermont
by tim
LYNDON CENTER, VT. Lyndon State College is pleased to announce a gift of $100,000 from a Normal School graduate who wishes to remain anonymous. This gift will be used to create a new scholarship fund, the Northeast Kingdom Education Endowment, and to encourage increased support of the LSC Annual Fund for Excellence.
Half of the gift, $50,000, will be used to create the Northeast Kingdom Education Endowment fund for NEK students studying to become teachers. This gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar from the Valade Family Trust Endowment Development Fund to give this endowment an opening value of $100,000. The first scholarships from this endowment will be awarded in fall 2009.
by tim
Jim Leddy Named AARP Vermont State President
MONTPELIER, VT, February 1, 2008 - Former State Senator Jim Leddy has been appointed State President of AARP - Vermont, a volunteer position working closely with both staff and volunteers throughout the state to help AARP achieve its mission in Vermont. His responsibilities include serving as primary volunteer spokesperson, chairing the executive council, building networks and community partnerships and recruiting volunteers. Leddy takes over the position held by Nancy C. Lang since 2002. Lang has accepted the position of Regional Volunteer Director with AARP working with state offices throughout the Northeast.
by tim
PSB approves small CVPS rate increase
The Vermont Public Service Board today approved a 2.3 percent increase in Central Vermont Public Service rates, to take effect with bills rendered Feb. 1.
CVPS had initially filed for a 4.46 percent increase last May, but reached agreement with the Department of Public Service on a 2.3 percent increase in November. The PSB approved that increase in a decision today.
"No one likes to increase rates, particularly with the economic pressures Vermonters are facing, but the small rate increase is needed for reliable customer service," CVPS President Bob Young said. "For example, more than a third of the new revenues will pay for expanded tree-trimming and removal programs along power lines to reduce the risk of outages."
by tim
SymQuest Acquires Business Operations of UBIQ Imaging Solutions
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT Larry Sudbay, President and Chief Executive Officer of SymQuest Group, Inc. has announced that the company has recently acquired the business operations of UBIQ Imaging Solutions, with offices in Portland and Bangor, Maine. In addition to serving its clients throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and New York, the acquisition of UBIQ Imaging Solution's business operations will allow SymQuest to also service clients in the Seacoast region, as well as the immediate inland areas of both New Hampshire and Maine.
by tim
Randolph Center, VT - The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) has announced the election of manufacturing executive David Blittersdorf, Founder of NRG Systems in Hinesburg, Vermont, to its Advisory Board. VMEC also announced the hiring of Anne Wood as Office Manager and Erin Quatrini as Marketing & Training Manager. In addition, Board Member and manufacturer Mike Rainville, Owner and President of Maple Landmark, Inc. in Middlebury, VT, has been re-elected 2008 Chairperson of the 12-member VMEC Board. Existing Board member Ed Townley, Senior Vice President and Controller of Cabot Creamery, Inc., was re-elected for another 2-year term on the Board.
by tim
Montpelier, VT Vermont business development projects totaling $21 million will receive $5.2 million in financing assistance from the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA). Principals of two of the manufacturing projects approved for VEDA financing estimate 100 new jobs will be created within three years of the investments.
VEDA is especially excited and pleased to offer financing assistance that helps stimulate jobs creation in the manufacturing sector of Vermonts economy, said Jo Bradley, the Authoritys Chief Executive Officer.
Among the projects approved by VEDA are:
by tim
Howard Printing Earns First and Second Place Awards
BRATTLEBORO, VT -- Howard Printing, Inc, a commercial offset printing company serving clients in Brattleboro, Keene (NH), Greenfield (MA), and throughout the tristate region, won a first-place "Pinnacle" award and a second-place "Award of Recognition" in the inaugural Awards of Excellence Competition presented by the Printing Industries of New England (PINE).
PINE selected Howard Printing for the "Pinnacle" (Best of Category) award for the Bears in the Valley Auction Catalog, which was produced for the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce. The catalog was designed by Howard Printing in collaboration with Sarah Shippee, the Chamber point person. The principal photographer was Mark Linton of West Dover, with additional photographs supplied by Shippee. Limited copies of the catalog are still available for sale at the Chamber office on Main Street in Wilmington.
by tim
IBEW LOCAL 300 'PLUS 5' CONTRACTORS OFFER FREE SIX-YEAR WARRANTY
South Burlington, Vt. - (Jan. 28, 2008) - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 300 contractors are reminding customers about their best-in-class Plus 5 Electrical Protection Plan.
Unique to the IBEW, Plus 5 is a complimentary extended maintenance agreement on materials and workmanship that services the wiring in a new or remodeled home for an additional five years beyond a builder's standard one-year warranty. The plan adds nothing to construction costs and involves no administrative or legal procedures on the part of the consumer. In the event that a problem arises during the coverage term, a certified Plus 5 contractor will immediately fix the issue at no cost to the homeowner, builder or developer.
by tim
(January 14, 2008)-- Secretary of Administration Michael K. Smith released General Fund revenue results for the month of December, the sixth month of fiscal year 2008. General Fund revenues totaled $104.21 million for December 2007, +$0.11 million or +0.1 % more than the $104.10 million consensus revenue target for the month. This brought the fiscal year-to-date total in the General Fund to $559.12 million (+1.6%) above the cumulative revenue forecast of $550.17 million.
The monthly consensus cash flow targets reflect the most recent fiscal year 2008 Consensus Revenue Forecast that was agreed to by the Emergency Board on July 24, 2007. The States Consensus Revenue Forecast is updated two times per year, in January and July. The January Emergency Board meeting was held on Wednesday, January 16, 2008.
by tim
VERIZON WIRELESS EXPANDS VERMONT VOICE AND WIRELESS BROADBAND SERVICE