Current News

Any crisis in a disaster situation, from a server malfunction to a flooded basement, could force a business to close its doors, reducing productivity and profits and possibly resulting in a permanent shut-down. Next week, in the fourth of four weekly webinars during National Preparedness Month, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Agility Recovery Solutions three business owners who faced losses of property and income after a disaster will share their experiences and what they learned about preparing for the next disaster.
On Wednesday, Sept. 28, bank vice president Scott Jenkins, insurance company president Terry Flood, and Joel Simpson, vice president of a plastics and glass supplier, will described how their companies recovered from losses caused, respectively, by a tornado, water damages from a burst pipe, and flooding. The three will also offer tips on how to protect themselves and their bottom line, based on their own experiences.

Award-winning Reporter Andy Potter announced his retirement from WCAX-TV this month after 14 years in front of the camera. The longtime journalist decided it was time to slow down after a series of health issues related to knee replacement surgery.
‘It’s been an honor to be able to tell the stories of Vermonters over the years,’ stated Potter, who is also a veteran of the Vietnam War. ‘I am looking forward to a slower beat in the days ahead,’ added Potter, a Middlebury College grad, whose affinity for Vermont has spanned decades.
From reporting on strikes to special elections, Potter has received numerous awards. His broadcast career includes television and radio; before becoming a TV journalist, Potter worked at several radio stations in Chittenden County.

Some Vermont municipalities that didn’t join or failed to comply with provisions of the National Flood Insurance Program ‘ potentially making their residents ineligible for some disaster assistance ‘ will be getting a second chance. Most of the towns are small, but the list includes Essex Junction and Manchester Village.
Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency said that some 39 Vermont communities who are listed as ‘sanctioned’ will be given until March 1, 2012, to apply for entrance into the NFIP (SEE LIST BELOW).

The Green Mountain National Forest, including the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, has re-opened to all Vermonters and visitors as of September 16th.
However, the damage to roads, bridges and trails in the Rochester and Middlebury Ranger Districts is extensive. Areas popular with tourists, Texas Falls and the Robert Frost trail, remain closed.
Please check the list of closures before directing visitors into the forest or venturing there yourself.

Brian Harwood of Waterbury was elected chairman of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s Governing Board of Directors during the VSO Association’s Annual Meeting Wednesday night (September 21, 2010) at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe. Other officers include Victoria Young of Proctor, vice chairman, Sylvia Robison of Burlington, secretary, and Malcolm Severance of Colchester, treasurer.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded Vermont $336,683 to help public housing agencies to retain or hire service coordinators to work directly with families who participate in HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher program. The coordinators will assist these voucher recipients to find employment resources and job training opportunities to put them on a path toward self-sufficiency.
‘In today’s economy, it’s never been more critical to help families obtain the skills that lead to jobs,’ said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. ‘With HUD’s help, these housing agencies will be able to assist families in finding employment, increasing their earning potential and putting them on a path to self sufficiency.’
Vermont

Burlington Housing Authority

VT001

$101,685

Vermont State Housing Authority

VT901

$234,998

A group of top state officials announced today that they have a plan to remove and dispose of mobile homes that were ruined by flooding in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene.
Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott and Lawrence Miller, Secretary of Commerce and Community Development, have been talking with private-sector partners for the last several days to nail down the framework for the plan, which they say offers a quick, responsible and affordable solution to a problem facing nearly 150 mobile home owners in more than a dozen parks around the state.
Under this plan, the total disposal cost for each individual mobile home owner will be $1,500. Typical disposal costs can run upwards of $3,500, particularly for older units. The group secured this reduced cost by requesting bulk pricing proposals from Vermont contracting firms on demolition, sorting, recycling and hauling of the mobile homes, and working with the solid waste districts to reduce or waive tipping fees.

Governor Peter Shumlin, along with the other five governors of New England states, has sent a letter to Congress urging members not to reduce funding for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Governor Shumlin made the following statement regarding the letter:

In recent weeks many have experienced disaster first-hand, including record-breaking floods caused by hurricane Irene last month. After a disaster strikes, homeowners and businesses can face many challenges in their rebuilding and recovery efforts. This month’s web chat will focus on what homeowners and businesses need to know after a disaster. September’s web chat hosts Phae Howard and Michael Mitravich will highlight key aspects of structural mitigation, rebuilding and preparedness.
WHO: Phae Howard, executive director of the National Center for the Prevention of Home Improvement Fraud, and Michael Mitravich of the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance will host September’s web chat on Disaster Recovery for Business Owners: An Inside View. Chat participants can get answers to questions such as how to select a credible contractor, what questions to ask when their property damage is assessed, or on what do to if just dealing with water damage.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, Vermont was hit with what the Governor called the worst flooding in a century. Many roads and bridges are still out. For the latest information, scroll down this list to see more available map layers, and see the websites linked here:

VT Governor Peter Shumlin on Twitter

Vermont Agency of Transportation

Vermont Outage Map

CVPS Outage Information

VT Response

Fair Trade USA, the leading third-party certifier of fair trade products in the United States has named Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR), a leader in specialty coffee and coffee makers, the largest purchaser of Fair Trade Certifiedâ ¢ coffee in the world for 2010. In calendar year 2010, GMCR purchased over 26 million pounds of Fair Trade Certifiedâ ¢ coffee.
GMCR has actively supported fair trade since 2000, when it first partnered with Fair Trade USA and committed to bring fair trade coffee to mainstream coffee drinkers. Through its family of specialty coffee brands, GMCR makes fair trade coffee available through specialty and mass retailers, grocery, club and convenience stores, offices, quick-serve restaurants, and online. The Green Mountain Coffee® brand offers the largest selection of Fair Trade Certified coffees in the United States.

When communities and organizations need the most help, The Coca-Cola Foundation is there, steadfast in its commitment to create a positive difference. During the third quarter, the Foundation awarded more than $1.6 million in grants to nonprofit organizations across the U.S. and Canada.
In the last three months, the country has experienced unprecedented natural disasters including heatwaves, hurricanes and flooding. The damage from these has been devastating, especially for some parts of the Northeast U.S. The Coca-Cola Foundation is pleased to be able to assist affected communities in disaster relief efforts. In addition to providing beverages immediately following the devastation of Hurricane Irene, the Foundation also earmarked $50,000 to support disaster relief efforts. A $25,000 grant will benefit the American Red Cross to support relief efforts in upstate New York, while another $25,000 grant will support the United Way's Vermont Disaster Relief Fund.