Current News

The Vermont State Treasurer’s Office has received more than $9 million in new unclaimed property since the fiscal year began July 1. The annual deadline for holders of unclaimed property to turn over funds to the State was May 1 and thousands of dollars continue to be received by the Unclaimed Property Division.

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved legislation to boost accountability for corporations and individuals responsible for environmental crimes. The Environmental Crimes Enforcement Act (ECEA) is aimed at deterring environmental crime while protecting and compensating victims of environmental crimes.
‘Too often corporations treat fines and monetary penalties as a mere cost of doing business to be factored against profits,’ said Leahy. ‘These measures are tough but fair. They are important steps toward deterring criminal conduct that can cause environmental and economic disaster and toward helping those who have suffered so much from the wrongdoing of big oil and other large corporations.’

GE Aviation's Rutland facility shared its energy reduction strategies with leading Vermont industrial businesses along with state and Congressional leaders at a special meeting on May 18 at the GE Aviation Rutland facility. GE has saved 15 million kilowatt hours of electricity and nearly 8,000 tons of CO2 in emissions reduced.
Since 2006, the GE Aviation Rutland facility and Efficiency Vermont have worked together to identify and implement energy savings programs at the 400,000-square-foot Windcrest Road and 100,000-square-foot Columbian Avenue locations. The team has completed 16 projects that have reduced the annual electrical usage by more than 15 million kwh and reduced CO2 emission by close to 8,000 tons. GE Aviation estimates its annual electrical cost savings is more than $1 million for both Rutland locations.
Examples of energy savings projects include:

Spring is in full bloom as New England experienced month-over-month growth of +10.9% with each state making a positive contribution. Vermont’s month-over-month increase of 18.7 percent was second only to Maine; however, at 184 days on the market, Vermont homes sold slower than any other New England State. The granite state of New Hampshire is the only state that has shown consistent month-over-month growth since January. While sales have not bounced back to 2010 levels, increased inventory, higher prices are all signs of a recovering market and strong spring.
‘Prices are still very affordable,’ said Jay Hummer, Executive Vice President of RE/MAX of New England’Whether you’re a first time home buyer or investor, the spring housing market is filled with opportunity.’

The Vermont Farm Viability Program announced today the award of $95,000 in grants and $62,700 in technical assistance awards to Vermont farmers to assist them in implementing their farm business plans completed through the program. In this latest round of funding, 21 farmers around the state received grants ranging from $650 to $7,000. An additional 21 farmers received technical assistance awards ranging from $700 to $4,000 to cover the cost of consulting with specialists. Among the implementation grants presented:

Average mortgage fell week-over-week according to the LendingTree Weekly Mortgage Rate Pulse, which tracks the lowest and average mortgage rates offered by lenders on the LendingTree network.
On May 17, average home loan rates offered by LendingTree network lenders were 4.79% (5.03% APR) for 30-year fixed mortgages, 4.00% (4.39% APR) for 15-year fixed mortgages and 3.42% (3.62% APR) for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages (ARM). Rates for 30-year fixed loans and 5/1 ARMs fell week over week, while 15-year fixed rates were flat.
On the same day, the lowest mortgage rates offered by lenders on the LendingTree network were 4.375 percent (4.51% APR) for a 30-year fixed mortgage, 3.5 percent (3.74% APR) for a 15-year fixed mortgage and 2.875 percent (3.17% APR) for a 5/1 ARM. Rates for all loan types declined one eighth of a percent.

Governor Peter Shumlin has signed into law legislation that ensures Vermont’s roads are safe for all users, requiring transportation policy to take into account the needs of motorists, bicyclists, public transportation users and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
‘This law will guarantee that we’re designing roads that work for the future ‘ for older Vermonters, for those who choose to take public transportation, for people who opt to walk to their jobs and errands, and for motorists,’ the governor said.
Among those on-hand for the bill signing were representatives for AARP Vermont and the Vermont Natural Resources Council. Those organizations and other advocates supported the legislation and worked for its passage at the State House earlier this year.

The University of Vermont will celebrate its 207th commencement on Sunday, May 22. The ceremony, which has been moved indoors due to persistent rain and the saturated condition of the University Green, begins at 9 am in the Multipurpose Facility in the Athletic Complex. Overflow seating will be available in the adjoining Patrick Gymnasium, where the ceremony can be seen on large screen, closed-circuit TV. Tickets are not required.
Line up will begin at 8 am with students gathering in the Gardner-Collins Indoor Track and faculty gathering in the Varsity Strength and Conditioning Center. The processional will begin at 8:20 am.

Vermont’s congressional delegation on Tuesday announced a $1,024,000 Department of Labor grant to help young Vermonters earn their high school degrees and develop valuable skills.
The grant is part of nearly $76 million in funding for YouthBuild programs that provide training to young people throughout the nation. The over $1 million in funding to Vermont will go to ReSOURCE, a non-profit located in Burlington, to implement a two year YouthBuild program that will enroll 64 students in Burlington and Barre. The students will be trained in construction skills and energy efficiency techniques while building affordable housing and completing their high school degrees.

US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) delivered the keynote address Tuesday at a conference on a cutting-edge Vermont initiative to improve energy efficiency, save consumers money and create good-paying jobs.
Vermont was awarded $69 million in federal funds in 2009 to match an equal investment by the state’s utilities to develop a more efficient and more reliable electric system. The so-called smart-grid project will make Vermont the first state in the nation to provide high-tech meters in virtually all businesses and homes. By 2013, real-time information on energy consumption will let consumers make smarter choices.
Sanders spoke at the conference hosted by the University of Vermont and Sandia National Laboratory, a world leader in energy research working with the state on implementation of the smart grid.

One hour before taping what Burnt Impressions CEO and Founder Galen Dively thought was a segment called "Small Business Spotlight," he was surprised with news of the program change. Burnt Impressions was chosen, unknowingly to Dively, by FOX's 'America's Nightly Scoreboard' to relaunch their 'So You Think You Are an Entrepreneur' segment.
"I am happy you chose me to reintroduce the segment, but it would have been nice to know about this two days ago when asked to the studios," says Galen, relating his time at FOX Studios in NYC to his friends. "The intern, host and particularly the editor were very nice folks and it was a wonderful experience."

PureWellness, a provider of online wellness solutions, announced the release of its ground breaking Risk Advisor. "The PureWellness Risk Advisor provides our customers with an innovative behavior change tool that prompts action directly from within the Health Risk Assessment (HRA) process. Individuals no longer need to wait to engage in wellness programs designed specifically to meet their needs. Using the PureWellness Risk Advisor employees can enroll in our targeted and prescriptive programs during the HRA process," said Ron Keen, President of PureWellness.