Current News
by tim
Secretary Lawrence Miller today announced that the Agency of Commerce, through the Procurement Technical Assistance Center, is helping State and Federal Agencies with procurement of products and services from local businesses in response to the impacts of Hurricane Irene.
The Vermont Procurement Technical Assistance Center (VT PTAC) works to connect Vermont businesses with government opportunities. During the aftermath of Irene, the VT PTAC is helping State and Federal Agencies identify local businesses that can provide needed products and services. VT PTAC is also able to help businesses make sure they have the proper registrations in place required to be a federal vendor. There is no cost to any Vermont business to use the services provided.
by tim
Flooding caused by hurricane Irene led to extensive damage to crops, fields and equipment on farms all across Vermont. Unlike the flooding this past spring, or after storms in recent years, these floods affected the entire state rather than a few counties. From the Connecticut River to the Lamoille River, from the Otter Creek to the White River, farms had water come up to the 100-year flood level and in some cases the 500-year flood level.
Vegetable farms were especially hard hit because they are commonly located on the bottom lands by rivers and streams. That’s where the soil there tends to be fertile and flat, and irrigation water is readily available. Reports collected to date from several dozen vegetable farms throughout Vermont indicate losses approaching $2 million.
by tim
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) is launching an online auction on October 1 to raise crucial funding for the Farmer Emergency Fund, which will provide financial support to organic and NOFA-VT member farmers whose land and crops were destroyed by the statewide flooding.
Never before have so many Vermont farms suffered damages at once; according to Vern Grubinger at the University of Vermont, vegetable farms alone have sustained at least $1.5 million in losses. NOFA-VT’s Farmer Emergency Fund has been in existence since 1997 making funds available to organic and member farmers throughout the state who have been affected by fires, blizzards, floods, and other disasters.
by tim
Johnson State College (JSC) has received its first $1 million gift, in the form of an irrevocable bequest gift, which will be divided between two endowments at the college: the JSC Library Endowment and the Julia V. and Ervin L Willey Scholarship Endowment.
by tim
When Hurricane Irene unleashed a torrent of water into creeks, streams and rivers across central and southern Vermont, it also spurred the largest recovery effort in the history of Central Vermont Public Service. But the recovery effort actually began days earlier.
Long before Hurricane Irene dumped up to 9 inches of rain across CVPS’s service territory, Central Scheduling Manager Scott Massie and his team were making calls for help. With private forecasts raising the possibility of historic devastation, CVPS was on edge and preparing for the worst. But virtually every utility on the East Coast was gearing up for the storm, and outside contractors were in short supply.
by tim
Tupelo Music Hall in White River Junction is partnering with the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce to help the many area victims of Tropical Storm Irene. The music venue is presenting a full weekend of music, ‘A Weekend of Giving,’ to benefit the Chamber’s efforts to raise funds to be turned over to The Upper Valley Haven to get food, clothing, building materials, and whatever storm victims may need directly into their hands.
by tim
As many of you know, our state of Vermont was severely hit from last week's Hurricane Irene. North Bennington, Vermont, where New Directions is headquartered, was spared much of the Hurricane's devastation; however the rest of the state is still dealing with the real-life crisis of the hurricane's aftermath.
Vermont Flooding and Destruction After Hurricane Irene 8/28/2011
by tim
The Simon Pearce flagship location, The Mill in Quechee, braved the storm brought by Hurricane Irene this past weekend. All employees are safe, and no injuries were sustained onsite during the storm or in its wake.
Presently, The Mill is closed as the company executives and state officials assess the damage caused by the flooding of the adjacent Ottaquechee River. When the river peaked, the lower levels of The Mill building ‘ including the glassblowing, hydro turbine, and some kitchen operations areas ‘ received significant water damage. These areas will be the focus of renovation efforts in the coming weeks.
by tim
September 2, 2011 ‘ 8:30 am. The lights came on for many in the last isolated areas last night, but CVPS crews will not rest until every outage is restored.
by tim
Nationwide will have a humanitarian relief team in Vermont to provide aid to Hurricane Irene victims. The team will have much needed water, ice, snacks and some first aid supplies.
When:
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, 2011
Where:
William Perkins Agency
124 N. Main Street
Rutland, VT 05701
by tim
Like a bus with giant mushrooms growing out of its top, a Mobile Command Operations Vehicle (MCOV) sat outside the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Joint Field Office, its roof covered with satellite dishes.
Inside, a dozen volunteers sat at desks taking calls from Vermonters all over the state who were seeking help in the aftermath of the massive flooding that occurred earlier in the week from Tropical Storm Irene
"Is he stranded in the house?" one volunteer asked. "Here's a number you can call for emergency shelter," another said. "Is it just your basement flooded?" asked a third volunteer, raising her voice to be heard above the constantly ringing phones.
Welcome to Vermont's new 211 call center, courtesy of FEMA.
by tim
Green Mountain Power Corporation (GMP) and Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) today filed a petition with the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) for the planned acquisition of CVPS by Gaz Métro Limited Partnership (Gaz Métro) and the merger of GMP and CVPS into one, stronger utility. Gaz Métro, GMP and CVPS announced in July the acquisition and the agreement to merge that provides significant benefits for customers, community, employees and shareholders, including a commitment to $144 million in customer savings over 10 years, a public ownership interest in VELCO, and the establishment of the Headquarters for Operations and Energy Innovation in Rutland.