Current News

Stephen P Marsh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Community Bancorp and Community National Bank is pleased to announce the recent appointment of James (Jake) G Wheeler, Jr as a Director to Community Bancorp’s Board.
Jake has practiced law with Downs Rachlin Martin, PLLC since 1974 and has been a member of the firm since 1978. His practice focuses principally in the areas of corporate governance, transactions, and financing; complex real estate acquisitions and financing; and trusts and estates. Jake graduated from Harvard University (B.A., cum laude, 1970) and Boston University School of Law (J.D., 1974). He is a member of the Caledonia County, Vermont, and American Bar Associations and the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.

Hundreds of young cross-country skiers from Vermont and all over New England will arrive in Ripton this weekend for two days of games, races and fun on snow.
Rikert Ski Touring Center on Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf campus and the Frost Mountain Nordic Ski Club are hosting the annual TD Bank Bill Koch Festival. Cross-country skiers age 5-13 will participate in two days of competitive and non-competitive events.
Events include opening ceremony and parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, relay races on Saturday and individual races and a lollipop race on Sunday.
Bill Koch League is a youth cross-country ski program of the New England Nordic Ski Association. Organized in local clubs across New England, Bill Koch League provides coaching, races and events for skiers age 5-13. Bill Koch from Brattleboro, Vt. was the first American to win an Olympic medal in cross-country skiing, when he won a silver medal in the 1976 Olympics.

by Anne Galloway, vtdigger.org. Legislative committees in the House of Representatives are in wind up mode before the big mid-session break ‘ town meeting week ‘ and the action in the infield will be intense as lawmakers gear up to make a final pitch for bills. The last day to introduce legislation is Feb. 28, and the deadline is coming up hard and fast for big bills. By the time lawmakers return from a week of bonding with constituents, all the major legislation will be in play ‘ bills will be voted out of House committees and a flurry of floor votes will ensue. Then it’ll be the Senate’s turn at the bat.
The House Appropriations Committee will be marking up the Big Bill ‘ that is making changes to the appropriations draft bill proposed by Gov. Peter Shumlin ‘ every day this week. Members of the committee will lift their heads from the arduous task of balancing the budget in the face of a $176 million shortfall to take testimony from the public.

There were 886 new regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance last week, an increase of 184 from the week before, as claims increased following a steady decline to a level close to last year at this time. Altogether 12,365 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 120 from a week ago and 2,270 fewer than a year earlier. The Department also processed 2,109 First Tier claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08), 21 fewer than a week ago. In addition, there were 953 Second Tier claims for benefits processed under the EUC08 program, which is an increase of 2,692 from the week before. The Unemployment Weekly Report can be found at: http://www.vtlmi.info/. Previously released Unemployment Weekly Reports and other UI reports can be found at: http://www.vtlmi.info/lmipub.htm#uc

States will see significant new federal support in their efforts to help move Medicaid beneficiaries out of institutions and into their own homes or other community settings now and in the near future, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today.
The Affordable Care Act provides additional funding for two programs supporting that goal, the Money Follows the Person (MFP) demonstration program and the Community First Choice Option program. Today, Secretary Sebelius announced thirteen States would together receive more than $45 million in MFP grants to start that program in their States, with a total of $621 million committed through 2016. In addition, HHS has proposed rules to allow all States to access a potential of $3.7 billion in increased federal funding to provide long-term services and supports through the Community First Choice Option program.

The Rutland County Community Advisory Board (RCCAB) of
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) announced today the release
of its Worksite Wellness Grants for 2011. The grants, available to
businesses in Rutland County, will range from $250 - $750 per site,
according to program scope and need. The grant applications are due on
March 22, 2011.
To request an application or to get more information, please contact Megan
Peek at (802) 764-4858 or by email at [email protected]
The organizations will be selected based on the strength of their grant
applications ‘ with a focus on the potential improvement of employee
health, as well as the level of innovation, creativity, intended impact and
evaluation plan. All of the organizations will report their program
outcomes to the RCCAB.
The Rutland County Community Advisory Board, which is supported by BCBSVT,

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR) (NASDAQ: GMCR), a leader in specialty coffee and coffee makers, and Dunkin’ Donuts, a market leader in the hot regular, flavored and iced coffee categories, today announced a promotion, manufacturing and distribution agreement that will make Dunkin’ Donuts coffee available in single-serve K-Cup portion packs for use with Keurig® Single-Cup Brewers. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
‘GMCR’s agreement with Dunkin’ Donuts is part of our strategy of aligning with the strongest coffee brands to support a range of consumer choice and taste profiles in our innovative Keurig Single-Cup Brewing system’

Darn Tough Vermont, manufacturer of premium all-weather performance socks, will meet increasing consumer demand and prepare for expected growth in 2011 by making several major infrastructure investments throughout the year. The company’s Northfield, Vermont hosiery mill will increase its number of knitting machines by nearly 50 percent, half of which will be the latest generation of seamless knitting machines. Furthermore, the company plans to add more staff and will install the most modern computer software for managing supply chain, inventory and manufacturing.

The University of Vermont Center for Rural Studies (CRS) has awarded funds to three university/community food system projects in Vermont. The funding was made available in a USDA grant secured with the help of Senator Patrick Leahy.
The funds awarded include $11,332 for a project led by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, $12,000 for a project led by VT FEED, and $12,000 for a project led by the Center for Sustainable Agriculture
"These partnership grants are important for the future of Vermont as a leader in the development of a vibrant, economically sustainable regional food system," says CRS Director Jane Kolodinsky. "The community partners will implement the projects and UVM researchers will evaluation their impact. Together, we can help move Vermont agriculture forward."

Dave and Perk Perkins of The Orvis Company were recognized for their achievements by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) at its third annual Capitol Conservation Dinner, held in Washington, DC.
Orvis Chief Executive Officer Perk Perkins and Orvis Vice Chairman Dave Perkins receiving their Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership's Lifetime Conservation Achievement Awards in Washington, DC.
"Through the TRCP's Capitol Conservation Dinner, the sportsmen's community celebrates the incalculable contributions of our nation's most dedicated conservationists," said Whit Fosburgh, TRCP president and CEO. "Following a trail blazed by President Theodore Roosevelt, the sportsmen honored at this year's event exemplify the uniquely American drive to responsibly manage and enjoy our irreplaceable fish and wildlife resources."

Rising out of the ashes of a barn which was destroyed in a fire on January 12 at Pete’s Greens is an initiative to ensure that funding is available for other Vermont farmers in the future. Recent donations through a variety of fundraisers will provide Pete’s Greens with an opportunity to rebuild the barn as a more efficient building that will better suit the farms needs. However, Pete Johnson, owner of Pete’s Greens, anticipates that within two to three years, the farm will be able to pay the money forward and has plans to create a fund that will support Vermont agricultural businesses.

The Governor of Vermont and the Vermont Department of Labor have annually recognized Vermont based companies that have made outstanding achievements in Workplace Safety and Health starting in 2005. The Governor’s Award on workplace safety is the highest honor given by the State of Vermont to recognize an employer’s commitment to excellence in workplace safety and health. The Governor’s award now has three categories for small, medium and large companies, as well as a special recognition category. The Governor is scheduled to announce recipients of this award during the 7th Annual Workplace Safety Award Ceremony, which will take place on Thursday, May 12, launching the Annual Vermont Workplace Safety Conference in Burlington. Information including official State press releases, nomination forms and other data are now posted on the Vermont Department of Labor’s web page at: