Current News

Governor Shumlin was joined by business leaders and individual Vermonters today to thank them for their generous donations to the Irene recovery efforts.
‘These donors have stepped forward to provide well over one million dollars towards Vermont’s recovery,’ said Governor Shumlin. ‘This assistance will provide both short and long term recovery opportunities to Vermonters who need help getting back on their feet.’
The state of Vermont recognizes the importance of all donations, large and small. Governor Shumlin was joined today by Edmunds Elementary School Principal Dr. Shelly Mathias and students Emma Goodwin and Aviva Strong, who raised 51 dollars for Rochester Elementary School by singing on their block for two days and holding a bake sale.

Efficiency Vermont is working with contractors and community-based organizations to help residents and small businesses rebuild after Tropical Storm Irene.
Free services from Efficiency Vermont for flood-damaged structures include:
· Free flood repair assessments and air sealing by certified contractors, including moisture assessments, blower-door tests to identify areas of air leakage, air sealing, combustion safety testing to determine carbon monoxide levels and recommendations for rebuilding safely and energy efficiently;
· Enhanced weatherization and appliances replacement for low-income Vermonters, in collaboration with local weatherization assistance programs;
· Special custom ‘Button Up’ workshops scheduled around the state, to help Vermonters rebuild safely and energy efficiently, in partnership with the Central Vermont Community Action Council (CVCAC);

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) today opened a storm-damaged bridge along Route 7 in Clarendon. Opening the bridge to public travel removes the last impediment to free-flowing traffic along the entire length of Route 7, which is western Vermont’s most significant highway.
VTrans today also opened the storm-damaged portion of Route 100 between Warren and Rochester, eliminating a significant detour around Granville.
Tropical Storm Irene swelled the Cold River in Clarendon, which runs underneath Route 7, causing it to wash away the a large section of the roadway’s approach to the bridge just south of Route 7’s intersection with Route 4. The damage severed the roadway, leaving a nearly 30-foot deep opening to the ground below.
Crews rebuilt the roadway approach and repaired the bridge damage in little more than three weeks, restoring normal traffic and eliminating the need for detours.

The Vermont Department of Public Service (DPS) has named Asa S. Hopkins, Ph.D., as the new Director of Energy Policy and Planning. Dr. Hopkins will lead the Department’s policy and planning division, which serves as Vermont’s State Energy Office. In conjunction with the Commissioner of Public Service, the Governor’s office, the Legislature, and other energy stakeholders, Dr. Hopkins will develop and implement statewide energy policy, including energy efficiency and demand resource management programs, renewable energy policy, and electric utility planning.

Governor Shumlin was joined by Treasurer Beth Pearce and other state leaders today to announce an Irene recovery package for municipalities struggling with the effects of the tropical storm.
‘We recognize that the disaster is putting a strain on local governments,’ Shumlin said. ‘This assistance package will help ensure that they have the support they need to emerge stronger than before the storm hit.’
The financial package includes:

KeyBank (NYSE:KEY) announced that it will provide $5 billion in capital to qualified small business owners over the next three years. The announcement comes on the heels of this morning’s meeting between Vice President Biden and 13 top U.S. banks, including Key, where the discussion included the state of small businesses lending.
To meet the bank’s lending goal, hundreds KeyBank Relationship Managers throughout several of the bank’s segments will work closely with local business owners in Key’s 23 districts. KeyBank segments committed to the goal include: Small Business, Business Banking, Commercial Banking, Key4Women, Small Business Administration (SBA), Community Development Lending, and Native American/Agriculture. Forums, workshops, in-person financial reviews, and the infrastructure of more than 300 ‘business intensive’ branches will bolster their efforts.

The Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration (BISHCA) has been awarded a three-year, $3.8 million grant from the federal Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). The grant is part of the ‘Affordable Care Act ‘ Rate Review Grant Program’ and was awarded through HHS’s Office of Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight.
‘We are extremely pleased to learn that we’ve been awarded this grant,’ said Commissioner Steve Kimbell. ‘Linking knowledgeable Vermont consumers to the health insurance rate setting process is an important tool in controlling health care costs. This grant is yet another example of the benefit to Vermont of President Obama’s health care reform legislation.’

The state of Vermont will be among a group of states selected to lead an important effort to improve science education for all students.
Vermont is one of 20 states that will lead the development of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which will clearly define the content and practices students will need to learn from kindergarten through high school graduation. The NGSS process is being managed by Achieve an education reform non-profit organization.
‘Vermont has always had rigorous science standards, but it was time for them to be reviewed, said Armando Vilaseca, Vermont Commissioner of Education. Being a lead state will give Vermont access to current edge research and thinking around scientific principles. This partnership will provide content insights to inform the incorporation of engineering in science instruction and provide new, engaging learning opportunities for all students.’

Medicines for Humanity (MFH), the non-profit international organization that is dedicated to reducing child mortality in impoverished communities worldwide, has honored Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR) with its 2011 Humanitarian of the Year award. The presentation was made last night at a fundraising event held at the World Trade Center Seaport Hotel in Boston.
When presenting the award, Medicines for Humanity Board member, Thomas M. O'Neill stated, "GMCR has established a global footprint of caring, and demonstrated proactive concern for the well being of the neediest children. In Rwanda, they seek out these children, and make sure they have life-saving healthcare services. They have shown the world how to use resources wisely to create enduring goodness."

The town of Grafton and the Vermont Country Store in Chester are open for business in the wake of Hurricane Irene. Vermont, which sustained infrastructure damage in the millions from Tropical Storm Irene, has made a remarkable and unprecedented three-week ‘comeback’ in time to host an estimated 3 million leaf peepers for fall foliage season, which begins next week. This is an incredible story of overcoming adversity, of communities, private businesses and individuals coming together to put this area back together.
The video below includes footage of the Old Tavern at Grafton Inn, Grafton Village Cheese, Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center and other businesses in the village.

US Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has won initial approval of legislation that would permanently move heavy trucks off state secondary roads and onto the state’s Interstate highways. Leahy’s provision will help Vermont businesses and communities struggling due to the large number of state and local roads heavily damaged during the recent flooding disaster.

The ground will be broken Wednesday for a LEED-certified hotel as local developers Jay Canning and Chuck DesLauriers announce the commencement of construction on the new 125-bedroom Hotel Vermont and Hen of the Wood Restaurant in Burlington. Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin and Commerce Secretary Lawrence Miller will attend the groundbreaking event starting at 5:00 p.m. on September 21, 2011. It's expected to open in 2013.
Hotel Vermont will open at 41 Cherry Street in Burlington 100 years after the original Hotel Vermont first welcomed guests on the corner of Main Street and St. Paul Street. The property will be locally developed, owned and operated with design, construction and management teams all Burlington-based. NBT Bank and the US Department of Agriculture collaborated to finance the project.