Current News

FairPoint Communications, Inc (Nasdaq: FRP), a leading provider of advanced communications in northern New England, has expanded broadband to homes and businesses in Albany and Barnet; Royalton and Sharon, Clarendon, Shrewsbury, West Rupert and Sandgate; and Putney and Westminster.

“Our next-generation network allows us to expand broadband service into areas with no high-speed Internet access and provide enhanced services across the state,” said Beth Fastiggi, FairPoint state president for Vermont. “Broadband availability opens the doors to the world for the residents and businesses in Vermont and is fundamental to the state’s future economic growth.”

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont's rural roads are in relatively poor condition, but are also relatively safe, according to a new report based on 2012 data. According to the report by TRIPP, a DC-based industry group that evaluates the nation's surface transportation, America's rural heartland plays a vital role as home to a significant share of the nation’s population, many of its natural resources and popular tourist destinations, and as the primary source of the energy, food and fiber that supports America’s economy and way of life. The strength of the nation’s rural economy relies greatly on the quality of its transportation system, particularly its roadways, which link rural America with the rest of the US and to markets in other countries.

by Katie Jickling vtdigger.org The latest technology in biodiesel on display at Nordic Dairy Farm more closely resembled a high school science project. On a table, a tangle of clear pipes connected a series of large flasks that gurgled with green and brown liquids. This was just a model, said GSR Solutions president Anju Dahiya, who headed up the year-long research effort.

In a unique example of the international cooperation that is at the heart of resource management in the Lake Champlain Basin, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the town of Notre-Dame-de-Stanbridge in Québec have worked together to construct a barrier to prevent sea lamprey from moving upstream to spawn on the Morpion Creek, a tributary to the Pike River. The barrier, located adjacent to the municipal office, officially opened on May 15. The town and the USFWS share ownership of the barrier, which physically traps lamprey as they migrate. Non-target species caught in the trap are removed and allowed to pass upstream without harm. The barrier is an alternative to chemical lampricide treatments that are used in other parts of the Basin. USFWS staff currently operate the barrier, while town officials have taken an active role in site maintenance and engaging the public.

Members of the Friends of Morgan Street Wetlands group have received verbal notification that the group’s request to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board for funding assistance to acquire and preserve a parcel of land in Bennington was approved. The 140-acre piece of property known as the Morgan Street Wetlands currently provides recreational opportunities for those in the surrounding area, but those opportunities are currently at risk said Bennington’s Planning Director, Daniel Monks. “The land is currently for sale, and while this group currently has an option on the property, the only way we can be sure to preserve the recreational opportunities will be to eventually purchase the property.”

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a new tool today to help communities prepare for, deal with and recover from floods. The Flood Resilience Checklist offers strategies that communities can consider, such as conserving land in flood-prone areas; directing new development to safer areas; and using green infrastructure approaches, such as installing rain gardens, to manage stormwater.

“Flood risk in New England is increasing with climate change,” said EPA Regional Administrator Curt Spalding. “We have seen severe impacts from floods across our region, and we must be thinking about how to prepare for the next big storm. Parts of the Mad River Valley have focused on implementing locally specific smart growth techniques when rebuilding after Tropical Storm Irene. These efforts have contributed to this checklist that will help flood-prone communities think through these issues and come up with the solutions that work best for them.”

by Cyrus Patten Campaign for Vermont The Agency of Human Services and the Department for Children and Families have come under fire for recent events including the death of two children at the hands of irresponsible adults – unimaginable tragedies for most of us. But consider the hundreds of children whose lives are being irreparably harmed every day by a combination of poor parenting and a system that is failing to ensure their social-emotional wellbeing.

Vermonters are calling for accountability (though notably missing is the voice of the so-called “advocacy groups” – most of whom depend on money from the Agency of Human Services). With such a ubiquitous call for change, why hasn’t anyone been held accountable?

The Abbey Group has partnered with the Vermont Foodbank to educate students on childhood hunger and the hardship of food insecurity. The effort started in May when all lunch menus featured facts about childhood hunger in Vermont and “Kate,” an illustration of a girl who represents the nearly 25,000 Vermont children who struggle with hunger. As a part of the effort, The Abbey Group hosted canned food drives at over 25 schools around the state and donated $2,500 dollars to the Vermont Foodbank.

“The objective was to promote tolerance and civic responsibility,” said Abbey Underwood, marketing director of The Abbey Group. “We wanted to engage students by giving them the facts and then offering a way to help the cause.”

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont tax revenues reached their targets for the month and the fiscal year, which ended June 30, but just barely, as the vital personal income tax continued to lag. State revenues have been bailed out the last few months mostly by the corporate and estate taxes. General Fund revenues totaled $124.67 million for June 2014, $.31 million or 0.25 percent ahead of the monthly target. For the fiscal year, General Fund receipts were $1,327.53 million, $2.43 million or 0.18 percent ahead of the cumulative target for the fiscal year. GF revenues were $38.92 million or 3.02 percent ahead of the prior fiscal year (FY 2013). Secretary of Administration Jeb Spaulding released the preliminary June and fiscal year (FY) 2014 revenue results today for the General, Transportation, and Education Funds.

by Anne Galloway vtdigger.org The Vermont Agency of Transportation will have to put $100 million worth of bridge, road and rail projects on hold if Congress does not shore up the federal highway trust fund by August 1. In all, 38 projects could be affected. The agency was counting on $195 million from the trust fund this year. Unless Congress transfers $9.7 billion from the General Fund to the federal highway trust fund by the end of the month, all states will be forced to cut projects. The trust fund is running out of money because gas tax revenues have declined; Americans are driving less and using more efficient cars. The national gas tax is 18.4 cents per gallon and has not been increased since 1993.

Republicans in the US House and Senate are ideologically opposed to raising the gas tax — or any other tax — to shore up the fund.

Shelburne Country Store in Shelburne, Vermont, will pay a $3,000 civil penalty for failing to inform 721 internet buyers of a security breach of their credit card information. In late 2013, the company’s website was hacked and credit card information stolen. Upon being informed of the breach in January 2014, the company quickly fixed the problem, but did not notify consumers until it was contacted by the Attorney General’s Office.

“At this stage of the game, having seen widely reported data breaches at big retailers like Target and dozens of others, we will not accept the excuse that a business did not know of its obligations to report a breach. ” said Attorney General Sorrell.

Cash Cure, LLC, a Delaware company that provides short-term, high-interest internet loans, will pay almost $78,000 to Vermont consumers and pay the State of Vermont $15,000 to settle claims that the company violated Vermont consumer protection and lending laws. Attorney General William H. Sorrell described the settlement as the fourth in a recent effort to protect Vermonters from predatory lending: “On April 23, 2014, my office announced a sweeping effort to protect consumers from lenders who ignore Vermont’s laws and take advantage of Vermonters in economic distress. We will continue to vigorously pursue illegal lenders who make loans in contravention of our state laws.” Attorney General Sorrell urged consumers to review these tips before taking out a loan.