Current News

by John Herrick vtdigger.org Opponents of the F-35 fighter jet are bringing the issue of noise to the Vermont Supreme Court. Four F-35 opponents Wednesday appealed a lower court decision rejecting their request that Burlington, which owns the Burlington International Airport, obtain an Act 250 development permit to host a fleet of F-35 fighter jets set to arrive in 2020. The US Air Force estimated noise levels around the airport will increase with the new jets and will include thousands of more homes within an area considered “unsuitable for residential use,” a chief concern that critics of the F-35 basing decisions want addressed through permit conditions that would limit noise impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods.

Governor Peter Shumlin and Michael Obuchowski, Commissioner of the Department of Buildings and General Services, announced today that the State is accepting the donation of two plug-in hybrid electric sedans from Toyota. The two Toyota Prius plug-in hybrids will be delivered to Montpelier in the next few weeks to be added to the state’s fleet.

“I want to express my gratitude for this generous donation. It comes at a perfect time, as we are taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint by encouraging industry and consumers to look seriously at building charging stations and purchasing Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs)” Shumlin said.

“The State of Vermont is leading by example,” said Toyota General Manager George Brenner. “Providing Vermonters with more hands-on experience should benefit the state as it moves forward with policies and investments to support greater consumer acceptance of ZEVs.”

Carris Reels has been named a 2014 “Northeast Business Leader for Energy Efficiency” for its commitment to lowering energy use. Nominated by Efficiency Vermont, the Rutland based reel and spool manufacturer is being honored for cumulative efforts that have reduced its annual energy costs by more than $190,000. The award is given annually by Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), a non-profit energy efficiency advocacy organization, to highlight the energy-saving achievements of organizations throughout the region.

“We are proud to recognize Carris Reels for their success and commitment to energy efficiency,” said Sue Coakley, Executive Director of NEEP. “Carris Reels provides an excellent example of how energy saving investments can improve a company’s bottom line, contribute to economic growth, and reduce environmental impact.”

Three Northeast Kingdom groups, Newark Neighbors United (NNU), Brighton Ridge Protectors (BRP) and Save Our Senecas (SOS) said they are elated and relieved with the decision by a Portsmouth NH industrial wind developer, Eolian LLC, to withdraw the interconnection request for its Seneca Mountain Wind project. On Wednesday May 21st, Jack Kenworthy, CEO of Eolian said in an e-mail to ISO-New England “Seneca Mountain Wind has decided to withdraw its interconnection request … we are disappointed by the need to make this decision.”

A Shoreham angler took a new state record carp on May 20 from the Vermont waters of Lake Champlain. Darren Ouelette was bow-fishing for carp with Taylor Patterson in a backwater area of southern Lake Champlain when Darren spotted a very large carp cruising just below the surface in some flooded trees. Drawing quickly and taking aim, Darren arrowed the 44-pound 6-ounce giant, and then fought for over 20 minutes to land it on his fishing-modified compound bow.

“I knew it was a pretty big fish when I first saw it, but I didn’t think it was as big as it turned out to be,” said Ouellette.

NEXUS Mobile Enrollment Events Scheduled June 2-5 in Vermont

Responding to requests from Rep. Peter Welch, Vermont business leaders, and Vermont’s travel and tourism industry, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) agency has announced a series of opportunities next week for Vermonters to more conveniently enroll in the NEXUS program.

NEXUS allows expedited screening for approved enrollees at the northern border and many airports across the country. Currently, Vermonters wishing to enroll in this program must travel to Champlain, New York to complete a required in-person interview.

The first mobile enrollment event in Vermont will take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday, June 2 at CPB’s office near the airport in South Burlington (228 Aviation Avenue, Suite 100). Rep. Welch will personally enroll in the NEXUS program at 11 a.m. at this site.

Gov. Peter Shumlin today signed into law legislation making at least 10 hours per week of high-quality education available to every 3- and 4-year-old child in Vermont. In addition, he released Vermont’s Early Childhood Action Plan, the result of a year-long, statewide collaborative effort led by the Governor’s office, the Vermont Agency of Human Services, the Vermont Agency of Education, and advocates for early learning initiatives.

The new law requires communities to offer at least 10 hours per week of high-quality, publicly funded pre-kindergarten education for 35 weeks annually to any “prekindergarten children.” Qualified pre-kindergarten programs include those operated by public schools, private early education and care programs, and Head Start.

by Anne Galloway vtdigger.org Barre is in makeover mode. Mayor Thom Lauzon, through dint of irrepressible boosterism and determination, has brought together public and private investors to develop abandoned lots and old buildings in the city. The investment has paid off. For the first time in decades, there is now only one empty storefront downtown — the old JJ Newberry’s five and dime. A half dozen new businesses have opened in Barre in the last year or so. The city also recently leveraged federal dollars to restore the downtown streetscape with new sidewalks, granite curbs and lighting.

Dan Normandeau, President of the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC), has announced that the 60-year-old regional development corporation has launched its search for the next Executive Director. Pat Moulton, who most recently served in this position, has been named Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, the top economic development position in the state.

Normandeau said, “This is an exciting time for BDCC as we continue to grow and serve the economic development needs of the greater Brattleboro and Windham County region.” BDCC owns and operates 450,000 square feet of industrial and mixed-use space in three buildings which are home to over 150 businesses. The primary objective of the organization is to create and retain a flourishing business community that supports vibrant fiscal activity, and improves the quality of life of all its residents.

Vermont Business Magazine New unemployment claims in Vermont rose again. Claims have been going through a cycle of steady increases followed by a steep drop the last few months, climbing about 1,100 before settling back to under 600. However, they have been consistently below the numbers from 2013. For the week of May 17, 2014, there were 701 new, regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance in Vermont. This is an increase of 165 from the previous week's total, and 148 fewer than they were a year ago.

Altogether 6,001 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 288 from a week ago and 750 fewer than a year ago. The Department also processed 30 First Tier claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08), 1 fewer than the previous week.

Northern Stage has recently embarked on The Campaign for Northern Stage, a $9 million plan to build a new theater on the site of the former Miller Auto Garage on Gates Street in White River Junction, Vermont. Plans call for construction to begin in September 2014 and for the new theater to open in time for the company’s 19^th season in the fall of 2015. Janet Miller Haines, Chair of the Board of Directors, stated, “The company has long envisioned a new theater venue for our audiences and artists to convene. I could not be more excited about helping to make this dream come alive.”

This week the Vermont Downtown Development Board approved the South Burlington New Town Center (City Center TIF District) as a Neighborhood Development Area. This designation provides regulatory relief as an incentive to develop mixed- income and mixed-use projects in the City’s future downtown.

Neighborhood Development Areas are a community sustainability tool available to State designated centers targeted for growth. The most notable incentive is that eligible projects will no longer require Act 250 permits.