Current News
by tim
During a special awards ceremony held inWashington, D.C.onMarch 7- the eve ofNational Agriculture Day- theInnovation Center for US Dairyannounced the winners of the inauguralUS Dairy Sustainability Awards, a program to recognize dairy farms, dairy companies and collaborative partnerships for efforts that advance the sustainability of the American dairy industry.
by tim
With Vermont as one of the strongest states, hiring optimism among US employers is gaining momentum as positive outlooks are reported broadly across all industries and geographies, according to the latestManpower Employment Outlook Surveyreleased today by ManpowerGroup. According to the seasonally adjusted survey results, the Net Employment Outlook for Quarter 2 2012 is +10%, up from +8% during the same period last year and from the +9% Outlook during Quarter 1 2012.
ManpowerGroup's research concludes:
by tim
Bill Orleans, president of PP&D Brochure Distribution, announced that the firm will be managing all brochure displays on the Lake Champlain Transportation (LCT) ferries.
‘After 30 years of being asked, ‘How can I get my brochures on the ferries?’. I finally have an answer, Orleans said. ‘These are wonderful locations, very high traffic, and truly a captive audience. With limited slots available, I’m sure these brochure displays will be full very quickly.’
LCT operates seven boats on three crossings; from Charlotte, Vermont to Essex, New York; Burlington to Port Kent, New York; and Grand Isle to Plattsburgh, New York. They make over 50,000 trips per year and host almost a million passengers.
by tim
Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports last week was recognized nationally by Newman's Own Foundation for its work with adaptive sports and recreation for people with disabilities. As part of the third-annual Newman's Own Foundation Campus Community Service Challenge, Vermont Adaptive was nominated by and partnered with University of Vermont Adaptive Sports for a Newman's Own Foundation grant. In a presentation during the America East Conference basketball championship in Hartford, Connecticut, Vermont Adaptive was awarded $10,000.
"This a huge honor to receive this grant and we extended our thanks to the students at UVM Adaptive Sports for working with us, as well as Newman's Own Foundation for making this program possible," said Erin Fernandez, executive director at Vermont Adaptive. "Every penny counts and this grant will contribute to the adaptive equipment and program needs for providing sports and recreation to our participants."
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Representatives Peter Welch and Chris Gibson (R-NY) will join together on Tuesday for two bipartisan roundtables focused on expanding a successful veterans outreach program pioneered by the Vermont National Guard. The events will take place in Rutland and Saratoga Springs.
Welch and Gibson are working to pass a bipartisan bill to expand nationwide the Vermont Guard Outreach Program, which provides assistance
by tim
Closing the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant in Vernon on March 21, when its license expires, would have a devastating effect on the Windham County economy, costing hundreds of jobs and the loss of millions of dollars in local tax revenue. It would also cost the state of Vermont millions of dollars in both General Fund and Education tax revenues, according to a report issued yesterday by the Post-VY Task Force.
by tim
The HBRA has hired Josie Palmer Leavitt as its new executive officer.
Todd Leach, Leach Construction of Vermont and current President of the HBRA said, "We are thrilled to welcome Josie to the HBRA, and excited to bring on board someone of her caliber, expertise and commitment. Having served on our board of directors, Josie understands the needs of our members, and the housing industry. Her background in business, marketing, management, land development, sales and real estate makes her the perfect fit to dynamically lead our Association."
by tim
The Vermont Law School Board of Trustees announced today the appointment of Marc Mihaly as VLS’s eighth president and dean, effective August 1.
Mihaly, one of the nation’s leading environmental lawyers, will succeed Jeff Shields, who will retire July 31 after eight years as president and dean of the nation’s premier environmental law school. Mihaly currently serves as associate dean for VLS’s Environmental Programs, director of the Environmental Law Center and professor of law.
Board Chairman Ed Mattes said Mihaly was chosen, after a thorough national search, because of his leadership skills, strategic vision and scholarly accomplishments.
‘Marc is an inspiring leader who grasps the shifting legal landscape,’ Mattes said. ‘He comes with tremendous institutional knowledge, enabling VLS to react swiftly and strategically. As a proven entrepreneur, fundraiser and communicator, he will be well positioned to take advantage of new opportunities.’
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With the outpouring of support and encouragement from those who have enjoyed decades of Nordic and backcountry skiing at Bolton Valley, the Vermont Land Trust signed a contract to purchase the 1,161 acres that hosts the Bolton Valley Nordic and backcountry trails.
In addition to attracting more than 15,000 people each year, the land is in the center of the Chittenden County Uplands Conservation Project (CCUCP) area’an area that has been a focus for forestland and habitat protection for more than 10 years.
The Friends of Bolton Valley Nordic and Backcountry Land Inspired Action
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US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) focused attention on a dental crisis in the United States during a town meeting today at Montpelier High School attended by about 200 people.
"As a nation, we don't talk about it much, but there is a dental crisis in America," said Sanders, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging. ‘This is an issue of huge consequence, but it doesn’t get the type of attention deserves.’
The senator, who presided at a late February hearing in Washington, D.C., on the dental crisis, announced today he plans to introduce legislation to make dental care more affordable and accessible.
In preparation for the hearing and today’s town meeting, Sanders asked people from Vermont and across the country to share their experiences. More than 1,300 people wrote to the senator, including nearly 400 Vermonters. He began the town meeting by playing recordings of Vermonters who sent him their stories.
by tim
by Alan Panebaker vtdigger.orgThe left-leaning public policy and consumer affairs group, Vermont Public Interest Research Group has spun off a nonprofit solar installation pilot project into a business.
The company, SunCommon, a so-called ‘benefit corporation,’ installs residential solar systems.
by tim
In support of its philosophy to manufacture and develop products exclusively in Vermont, USA, BioTek is committing a record amount for new 2012 capital investments.
Highlights include:
New computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines in manufacturing and enhanced tooling and test equipment for product assembly
A new teleconference system supporting communication between BioTek's Vermont headquarters and our international sales and service offices in Singapore, China, South Korea, Germany, Switzerland, France and the United Kingdom
Additional laboratory instrumentation to support BioTek's growing application research in molecular diagnostics and cellular biology