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Vermont Business MagazineThe public is invited to offer suggestions to the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission (CVRPC) for transportation planning projects that would benefit Washington County and the towns of Orange, Washington, and Williamstown.CVRPC is asking for help to make getting around easier, safer, and more convenient for everyone by contributing your transportation planning and study ideas.

CVRPC will complete up to $70,000 in transportation special projects and studies using funding from the Vermont Agency of Transportation’s Transportation Planning Initiative. We would appreciate your ideas for projects that would benefit Central Vermont. While our funds cannot be used for construction, our planning helps shape projects for future construction.

Vermont Business MagazineSenator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) issued the following commentFridayafter the release of areporton Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election. Earlier this week, Leahy joined other Democratic Senators inintroducing legislation calling for anindependent, nonpartisan commission to comprehensively investigate the matter.

Vermont Business Magazine NG Advantage LLC, based in Colchester, which is majority owned by Clean Energy Fuels Corp., (NASDAQ: CLNE) has announced it has begun delivering compressed natural gas (CNG) for the first time to customers in the state of Maine. The expansion was made possible through an asset acquisition from Global Partners LP (NYSE: GLP). NG Advantage specializes in transporting CNG to industrial, institutional, and commercial customers who are beyond the reach of a natural gas pipeline, allowing them to realize the economic and environmental benefits of the cleaner burning fuel.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Scott Friday evening announced more appointments to his extended cabinet and key policy directors within his Administration.Michael Snyderhas been reappointedCommissioner of Forest, Parks & Recreation.Jolinda LaClair has been namedDirector of Drug Abuse Prevention.Mary Kate MMohlman, PhD, MS, has been named theDirector of Health Reform.Sam Lincolnof Randolph Center has been appointedDeputy Commissioner of Forests Parks & Recreation.Darwin Thompsonhas been namedCommissioner of Information and Innovation.

“I’m pleased to add each of these talented individuals to my growing team,” said Governor Scott. “My entire cabinet, extended cabinet and senior leadership team is already hard at work for Vermonters, and each of these appointees will be a great addition to our team.”

Vermont Business Magazine When Keurig Green Mountain Inc was bought last year in a blockbuster, $13.9 billion deal by European holding company JAB, it shortly thereafter severed its partnership with Coca Cola to market Keurig Kold, a home-based beverage system. Apparently its thirst for ice cold refreshment has not been slaked. On Friday, Waterbury-based Keurig quietly announced on its Website that it will develop a beer-making system with Budweiser, which also will include a variety of alcoholic drinks.

The Website press release states thatAnheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) and Keurig Green Mountain have entered into a joint venture focused on the research and development of an in-home alcohol drink system.

Vermont Business MagazineJanuary isLearn toSkiand Snowboard Month, and with fresh snow on the ground, Sugarbush Resort is ready to hostPost-9/11 Veterans, Service Members and their Families for a free day of skiing and riding on Sunday, January 8, 2017. The free day of winter fun is made possible through Sugarbush’s ongoing partnership with Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program. Sugarbush will provide equipment (including adaptive ski gear), instructors, lift tickets and lessons for all participants.

Mt Ellen Sugarbush photo

Vermont Business Magazine Bill Shouldice, CEO of Vermont Teddy Bear and Chair of the Vermont Chamber Foundation, unveiled A Vision for Vermont's Economy, a new report from The Vermont Futures Project at the Vermont Economic Conference n Friday morning at the Hilton Burlington. The report by The Vermont Futures Project reflects conversations with nearly 500 Vermonters about the current Vermont economy and what is needed to secure Vermont's economic future.

Vermont Business MagazineWeekly unemployment claims stayed at their post-holiday level as service companies shed short-term workers. Claims also were higher than last year at this time. While Services reported the most claims, Manufacturing doubled for the week to an unusually high 444 claims.

The holidays typically produce wild swings in unemployment claims, because of an increase in hiring in the Service sector, from retail to delivery-related businesses, and then an abrupt round of layoffs.

For the week of December 31, 2016, there were 1,531 claims, down 2 from the previous week's total but 379 more than than they were a year ago (1,152). The previous week's totals were much lower than the previous year, so this could be just a timing lag.

Vermont Business MagazineThe Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says preliminary numbers show 16,160 deer were taken during Vermont's 2016 deer hunting seasons. Reports from big game check stations indicate hunters had successful deer seasons in 2016, taking 3,447 deer in archery season, 1,438 in youth season, 7,725 in rifle season, and 3,550 in muzzleloader season. The 16,160 deer brought home by hunters yielded more than 3 million meals of local nutritious venison.

Youth deer hunting, fish & Wildlife file photo.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington School District’s recent audit revealed that the District is deficit-free for the second consecutive year. School Board Chair Mark Porter applauded the results, saying“The strong financial progress signals a shift from deficit spending towards consistent budget oversight.This pattern of increased financial stability over the past two years has our District poised to make exciting new investments in our students and programs."

Superintendent Yaw Obeng further commented "I am encouraged by the disciplined financial management exhibited by the Board and District. This work builds on the recommendations regarding resource management in my 100 Day Entry Plan Report and also lays the foundation for the Strategic Planning underway in the District."

Source: Burlington School District 1.6.2017

Vermont Business Magazine New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) has received a $75,000 matching grant from the Jane’s Trust. Jane’s Trust offered NECCA the matching grant at the end of 2015. NECCA supporters met the challenge and the match was received in December. The total raised to date is now $1.218 million toward the $2.5 million goal.

“From the beginning of this campaign four years ago, NECCA has been like The Little Engine That Could, defying all expectations,” says campaign director Lisa Barnwell Williams of Chanticleer Consulting.

“But even as we take a moment to savor how incredibly far we've come, it's important to recognize that we're only halfway there.I encourage every friend of NECCA, friend of circus, friend of Brattleboro to think hard about how you can help us reach our $2.5 million goal.”

Vermont Business Magazine How many people does it take to make a sign? Mel Martin, volunteer for New England Center for Circus Arts’ capital campaign effort, has found out over the last two years. “It’s more than one might think,” he says, “especially if it is a 12-foot diameter sign and you’ve never designed a sign before.”

Martin began designing two different signs in October 2014 for the newest custom-built circus artstrapezium building in the United States, built and located in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Mel Martin, volunteer for NECCA. NECCA photos.