Current News
by tim
FairPoint Communications has announced its release of Carrier Ethernet products specifically designed for the wholesale market.
FairPoint's E-Line service is now available to its wholesale customers who are authorized to provide services in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. FairPoint has made its new E-Line services of Ethernet Private Line (EPL) and Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL) possible by significantly investing in its communications infrastructure and technology to bring these and other broadband services to northern New England. FairPoint's new fiber-based, high-capacity network ‘ called VantagePoint(SM) ‘ offers its wholesale customers a better, faster way to connect to their customers.
by tim
At the recent VT Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival the
finest wood craftsmen in Vermont exhibited their design entries in the
Vermont Woodworking Design Competition.
The entries were displayed not only
for the judges, but for the public to give them an opportunity to see, first
hand, the broad scope of work designed and created by the state's many
artisans. The panel of prestigious judges included Mark Schofield of Fine
Woodworking Magazine, Dan Faia of North Bennett Street School, and James
Murray from Simon Pearce Glass. Judges enjoyed the day with their clipboards
on hand, making notes that would help them decide who would walk away with
the 1st place awards in the various categories offered. Four professional
categories were offered for Custom or Studio Furniture, Production
Furniture, Custom Woodenware, and Carvings or Sculptures, in addition to one
by tim
The foliage change appeared to slow to a near standstill during the misty, atmospheric weather of this past weekend. But with a frosty night or two before the coming weekend and sunny weather forecast through Monday, near-peak to full color change is expected along the spine of the Green Mountains and will begin to emerge in the mountain valleys.
Ray Toolan, who reports from Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, observes a variety of foliage in the area. ‘Not a great deal of change from last week, most likely due to the wet weather. Still, we have a lot of variation, with the best colors in the higher elevations and around swamps and wetlands. In many places mid-slope forests are still in early stages while other areas are at or just past peak. Pretty much any of the paved roads in Lamoille and Orleans counties are showing nice color,’ Toolan says.
by tim
McGraw-Hill Construction today reported on August contracts for future construction in the state of Vermont. Contracts showed an increase of 68 percent over August 2010, but down 14 percent for the year to date. Meanwhile, New Hampshrie was down 27 percent for the month and 33 percent for the year. In both cases, commercial construction continued to be a drag on the industry. Residential building also struggled in Vermont, while all sectors in New Hampshire were down. These numbers do not reflect any Tropical Storm Irene data.
VERMONT
NEW HAMPSHIRE
An authority on the construction market, the firm produces Dodge Reports and Sweets Catalog Files. According to the Research and Analytics unit of McGraw-Hill Construction.
New York, New York -- McGraw-Hill
by tim
With school back in session and farmers throughout the state struggling to get back on their feet after Tropical Storm Irene, Rep. Peter Welch today introduced legislation to allow Vermont to use federal funds to buy local produce for schools.
Vermont schools currently receive produce from a regional distribution center in Rhode Island under the Department of Defense (DOD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. The program ‘ a joint partnership between the DOD and Department of Agriculture ‘ was created in 1994 and uses the DOD's existing food distribution network.
Welch's Fresh and Local School Foods Act would create a three-state pilot program that would allow participants to opt-out of the DOD program and spend those funds instead on local fruits and vegetables.
by tim
Commissioner Elizabeth Miller has announced that the newly revised Residential Building Energy Code is in effect as of October 1, 2011. Miller states, ‘As new building construction and renovations in existing buildings take place in Vermont, the new Residential Building Energy Codes will help ensure we are continuing to move to more efficient and sustainable homes. Building new homes to the 2011 Residential Energy Code will yield increased energy savings of 10-20% over the previous Energy Code. This means less energy consumption, fewer emissions, and lower energy bills for Vermonters.’ Commissioner Miller expects a similar, if not greater, impact with the new Commercial Energy Code which is on track to take effect in early January 2012.
by tim
Vermont's mortgage foreclosure and delinquency rates remained unchanged in August, but the state slipped one spot to 10 as Virginia's mortgage situation improved. The August Mortgage Monitor report released by Lender Processing Services, Inc. (NYSE: LPS) shows that foreclosure starts were up in August by nearly 20 percent compared to July 2011 results, with first-time foreclosure starts reaching 2011 highs.
Overall, foreclosure starts remained down more than 12 percent from this time last year. At the same time, of the approximately 4 million loans that are either 90 or more days delinquent or in foreclosure, the number in the 90 or more days category has shrunk to levels not seen since 2008. The August data also showed that, of loans that were current six months prior, 1.4 percent had become seriously delinquent, a rate of less than half of the peak of 2.9 percent in 2009.
by tim
US Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Monday announced they now have 61 Senate cosponsors of their latest ‘Guard Empowerment’ effort, the National Guard Empowerment and State-National Defense Integration Act of 2011 (S.1025), which Leahy and Graham introduced in May.
by tim
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., (NASDAQ: GMCR), a leader in specialty coffee and coffeemakers, today announced it has completed the sale of all outstanding shares of Van Houtte USA Holdings, Inc., also known as the Van Houtte U.S. Coffee Service business or "Filterfresh" business to ARAMARK Refreshment Services, LLC (ARAMARK) for an aggregate cash purchase price of approximately $145 million, subject to adjustment.
Initially announced on August 29, 2011, the transaction was completed after all of the closing conditions were satisfied, including the receipt of the required regulatory approval in the United States. The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants and, subject to certain limitations, each party has agreed to indemnify the other for breaches of said representations, warranties and covenants and other specified matters.
by tim
Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott accepted a $25,000 donation from Aubuchon Hardware Monday to support mobile home owners affected by Tropical Storm Irene.
Deputy Housing Commissioner Jennifer Hollar and Lt. Gov. Phil Scott accept the donation
from Aubuchon President and CEO Marcus Moran, Jr.
Marcus Moran, Jr., Aubuchon President and CEO, presented the donation. The funds will support a unique public-private partnership, organized by Lt. Governor Scott and Lawrence Miller, Secretary of Commerce and Community Development, which will drastically lower costs of mobile home removal and disposal for many Vermont homeowners.
Mobile homes are more easily damaged by water and can be more difficult to repair, so for many owners of mobile homes impacted by the flood, the best option is literally to dispose of their home and start over. But that can be a very expensive undertaking for low-income families.
by tim
As recovery efforts continue to move forward, the VT Irene Flood Relief Fund has reviewed nearly 200 grant applications from many small businesses showing more than $18 million in damages from Tropical Storm Irene. To date, the advisory committee has made first round grant awards to businesses from Wilmington to Waterbury; 54 applicants have received more than $107,000 out of the nearly $250,000 that has been generously pledged by individuals and organizations . Additional pledges continue to come in, but much more effort is required in order to meet the needs of the applicants seeking assistance.
by tim
The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) today opened to public travel the 11-mile stretch of Route 100 that runs through Pittsfield. This segment of Route 100, which runs from the junction of Route 107 in Stockbridge to the intersection of Route 4 in Killington, received heavy damage from Tropical Storm Irene, and has been closed since the storm struck on August 28.
Reopening Route 100 through Pittsfield represents a major milestone because it allows the free flow of traffic without detours or major impediments for the entire 135-mile stretch of Route 100 between Ludlow and Newport just in time for the height of foliage season.
‘The Pittsfield area got hit very hard by the storm and received considerable damage,’ said VTrans Secretary Brian Searles. ‘While Route 100 in this area is now open and traffic is flowing well, we ask that everyone be careful as they drive through town and respect the local recovery effort that is still underway.’