Current News

Burlington-based Jvillage Network, a leading provider of synagogue websites and online membership solutions for Jewish communities, has acquired the cloud-based ShulSuite membership management (CRM) tools. Jvillage Network now serves more than 200 clients in five countries. Terms of the agreement, which became effective April 28, 2015, were not disclosed.

Jvillage Network will integrate ShulSuite’s highly-respected CRM technology and internal software architecture to make it more user-friendly while providing higher levels of customer service and support. ShulSuite’s CRM tools will enhance Jvillage Network’s dynamic content creation team and website/social media/SEO expertise.

Vermont has lost ground as a place to do business, falling to number 41 in a ranking of all states, according to CEOs in a national survey. The report favored states in the South and Midwest, while states in the Northeast and Pacific West were at or near the bottom. New Hampshire (21) was the only such state in the top half of the list.

by Steven J Sinclair, Director of Forests,Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation The locavore movement in Vermont is strong, whether vegetables, meat, craft beer, or goods and services. I am here to promote the same approach in the purchase and burning of firewood. Why is this important? Transported firewood is a major vehicle of invasive pests such as the emerald ash borer (EAB) and Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). These pests are a grave threat to our forests. Over half of Vermont’s trees are potential hosts of these invasives and our state tree, the sugar maple, is no exception. Slowing the spread of invasive pests affords us the time to study additional options for tree pest management while still maintaining and providing the variety of goods and services to the public that come from our forests and trees.

by Amy Ash Nixon vtdigger.org The Vermont Senate on Friday gave final approval to a major education governance reform bill that encourages school districts to form larger, more cost-effective systems. The bill, H.361, passed on a unanimous voice vote and now moves to a committee of conference where lawmakers will reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of the legislation.

Senators approved one last amendment, offered by Sen. Tim Ashe, D/P-Chittenden, calling for a change in the formula the state uses to calculate a taxpayer’s dividend and interest income.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) promotes opportunities for people in communities across America to experience the arts and exercise their creativity through its grant-making to thousands of nonprofits each year.
In the second major grant announcement of fiscal year 2015, the NEA stated that it will make 15 awards to nonprofit arts organizations in Vermont totaling $946,300. This includes $704,300 awarded through a state partnership agreement with the Vermont Arts Council for programs that benefit state residents.

The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) has unveiled a newly redesigned Web site for Vermont visitors. Www.VermontVacation.com now has a cleaner design and bold, eye-catching photography. It is completely responsive and intuitive, so it’s easy to navigate across all platforms. An improved events calendar and trip planner was made possible through a partnership with the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont developer Route 802. The website was designed internally by members of the VDTM staff.

“Now planning a visit to Vermont is almost as pleasant as the trip itself,” said Megan Smith, Commissioner for the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. “Our new website makes it easy to find things to do and places to stay in our beautiful state. Our team spent countless hours making sure that everything a traveler needs to know is just a few clicks away.”

New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU) will work with the Vermont Lake Monsters to offer free CHAMP appearances (called "CHAMP Sightings") to non-profit organizations and other programs that share their commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of local communities. “CHAMP stands for so many positive things," said Cindy Morgan, NEFCU’s Senior Marketing Executive. “CHAMP creates smiles and priceless memories in hospitals, on awareness walks, and at other worthwhile events.”

CHAMP has been the mascot for the Lake Monsters since the team's first season in the New York-Penn League back in 1994. The partnership between NEFCU and the Lake Monsters offers certain organizations and programs the opportunity to have CHAMP make an appearance at their event for no charge. Applications can be downloaded from the “CHAMP Sightings” page on the Lake Monsters website, www.vermontlakemonsters.com .

The Vermont League of Cities and Towns’ Board of Directors today appointed Maura Carroll of Concord, NH, the organization’s new executive director. Carroll most recently served as the executive director of the New Hampshire Local Government Center, a sister organization to VLCT.

Jared Cadwell, VLCT President and selectboard member from Fayston, said that the board vote to hire Carroll was unanimous by its 12 members.

Working with Vermont’s States Attorneys, Governor Peter Shumlin has appointed attorney Tom Little as independent counsel to look into the campaign finance related complaint against Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell. Little will work with and report findings to an eight-member, bipartisan group of States Attorneys that make up a Campaign Finance Review Committee.

Vermont AG Sorrell, left, with Governor Shumlin in 2013. VBM photo

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims tumbled last week falling by more than half its previous total. The transition from the end of the winter recreation season resulted in a spike of seasonal layoffs, but the steep decline for the week of May 2, 2015, was highly unusual. For the week, there were 515 new, regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance in Vermont, a decrease of 572 from the previous week's total and 53 fewer than they were a year ago. Generally, claims have been running below last year's totals.

Altogether 6,521 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 590 from a week ago, and 704 fewer than a year ago. The Department processed 0 First Tier claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08), the same as the previous week.

For a bill that only sets the stage for small school consolidation and offers no immediate property tax relief, the Vermont state Senate debated for hours Thursday before giving the education bill initial approval in a 27-3 vote. If H361 is given final approval by the Senate, it would then need to be reconciled with the version passed earlier by the House. Governor Peter Shumlin indicated his support for the Senate version after the vote Thursday.

Lund has announced that NorthCountry Federal Credit Union is now the presenting sponsor for the 7th Annual Lund Ride for Children. The event takes place on Sunday, May 31 and offers four bike routes of varying lengths to match the abilities of every type of rider. Over 250 riders are expected to participate in the ride which will be followed by festivities including food, fun children’s activities, and live music from local band, Rumblecat. Funds raised through corporate sponsorship and individual fundraising directly support Lund’s education, treatment, family support and adoption programs for women, children, and families.

Photo courtesy Lund.