Current News

By Kevin Kelley, Vermont Business Magazine. Burlington Telecom appears to have little chance of surviving its debt crisis as a city-owned utility. But some financial experts say it’s possible BT could work a deal leaving the city with at least a minority stake in a reconfigured, non-profit ownership arrangement.
Such a set-up would keep the advanced fiber-optic network in place as a local alternative to Comcast and other private, for-profit telecom businesses. And that’s an outcome many Burlington politicians ‘ not just Progressives ‘ say they favor.

The e-Vermont Community Broadband Project will bring digital tools and in-depth Internet training to 12 additional rural communities in 2011. The twelve, announced today, will benefit from the expertise and resources of e-Vermont’s statewide partners as the local groups develop ways to take full advantage of the Internet for creating jobs and innovative schools, providing social services, and increasing community connection. These towns join the first 12 pilot e-communities, selected in spring 2010.
The 2011 e-Vermont communities will be Bridgewater, Calais, Castleton, Dover, Fairfield, Hardwick, Jay/Westfield, Middletown Springs, Moretown, Morristown, Richford, and Vergennes.

The Senate today approved an additional $10.8 million for home heating assistance for about 27,000 Vermont households, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced.
The Senate this afternoon voted 79 to 16 for the funding, which is included in a bill to keep the federal government running until March 4. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said a final House vote could occur this evening.
Vermont and other states had faced the prospect of a 40 percent cut in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps senior citizens on fixed incomes, families with children and the disabled.

Vermont has sued American Express, Visa, and MasterCard to stop them from restricting merchants from offering consumers discounts, rewards, and information about card costs. Attorney General William Sorrell joined the US Department of Justice and nineteen states in filing an amended complaint late yesterday challenging the credit card companies’ rules which ultimately result in greater costs to consumers and merchants. Vermont also joined a proposed settlement with two of the companies. Although Visa and MasterCard have agreed to settle the case, American Express continues to fight the allegations.
‘Vermont has been a leader in taking on the credit card industry for practices that stifle competition ‘ first through legislation and now through litigation. In these tough economic times it’s more important than ever to protect our businesses and consumers from unfair fees and costs,’ said Attorney General Sorrell.

During the last quarter of 2010, the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) approved $52.6 million in financing assistance to Vermont businesses undertaking development and expansion projects throughout the state.
‘Development projects in many different sectors of Vermont’s economy will receive financing support from VEDA,’ said VEDA Chief Executive Officer Jo Bradley. ‘Business investments will be made in Vermont’s commercial, manufacturing, agricultural, technology, energy, and small business sectors, translating into jobs being created or retained for Vermonters.’

The United States has an abysmal international ranking in Internet broadband connectivity speeds and Vermont is even worse. While the US is 25th in the world in average connection speeds, Vermont ranks only 45th in the US. Rural areas here and across the country predictably fare worse than urban and suburban regions.
The fourth annual speedmatters.org survey reveals an extensive ‘Digital Speed Divide.’ The survey is conducted on behalf of the Communication Workers of America. The trade union represents 700,000 workers in communications, media, airlines, manufacturing, and public service.

Governor-elect Peter Shumlin announced today that Beth Pearce will be Vermont’s next State Treasurer. Beth is currently Vermont’s Deputy Treasurer and will assume the role of State Treasurer in January when Jeb Spaulding becomes the Secretary of Administration.
‘No one in Vermont is more qualified than Beth Pearce to succeed Jeb Spaulding as our state's Treasurer,’ said Shumlin. "Beth's many years of experience in the Treasurer’s office, her enthusiasm for the job, and her passion for the state’s fiscal stability will serve Vermonters well.’
Beth joined the Office of the Vermont State Treasurer on June 30, 2003, as Deputy Treasurer. In this capacity, she has been responsible for a full range of operations including retirement administration of three state-wide systems (State, Teacher and Municipal), unclaimed property, accounting, budget, debt and capital financing, cash management, investment of short term funds in State custody and risk management.

Rochester, NY ‘ December 20, 2010 ‘ MVP Health Care today announced that it is now offering Preferred Gold, its nationally top-ranked Medicare Advantage health plans* for employer group retirees throughout Vermont.

The MVP Medicare Advantage plans are the only plans of their kind being offered statewide and offer members a number of health and wellness benefits:
Free fitness center memberships through the Silver Sneakers Fitness Program
$100 Health Dollars towards a variety of health, wellness or fitness classes or programs
Assistance with paying for eyewear and hearing aids
Part D Prescription Coverage
24/7 Nurse Advice Line for after-hours assistance
No deductibles

A new report by the website 24/7 Wall St ranks Vermont as the greenest state in American, Governor Jim Douglas announced today. The report considered energy consumption, pollution problems and state energy policies in evaluating the environmental standing of states.
‘This most recent report reaffirms the Green Mountain State’s reputation as the greenest state in America,’ said Governor Douglas. ‘Our strong record of environmental stewardship includes the nation’s smallest carbon footprint and the greenest energy portfolio. I’ve fought for tougher automobile emissions standards and against threats to our state’s air quality, and was the first Governor to sign onto the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). All Vermonters can be proud of our state’s deep commitment to a healthy environment.’

Vermont gained the second most construction-related jobs in November, but still ranks only 45th in the nation over the last year. Construction employment expanded in 20 states between October and November, while the list of states with year-over-year construction job gains grew to 13 states plus the District of Columbia, the Associated General Contractors of America reported in an analysis of state employment data released today by the Labor Department. The new figures continue a year-long pattern of mixed results in construction employment as overall demand remains weak, association officials noted.
‘It is encouraging that the number of states adding jobs year-over-year was higher in November than at any time since February 2008,’ said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. ‘However, the data also make clear that these gains are as spotty as they are tenuous.’

James Dwinell interviewed Governor James Douglas on December 1st in his Pavilion office overlooking the State House.
VBM: As a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, what brought you to Vermont?
Jim Douglas promised to be accessible to the people when he was first running for governor. He has famously lived up to that promise, and seems to have remembered everyone's name along the way. Here he speaks before the official grand opening of Sugarbush's $10 million addition on December 10. To his left is Sugarbush CEO Win Smith. Behind him is a specially commissioned painting by Woody Jackson.
Douglas: I had some teachers in high school who were alumni and they knew that I was interested in foreign languages and encouraged me to apply. Middlebury College is a school that is and was renowned for its foreign language departments. I do not regret the choice.

VBM: Did you meet your wife (Dorothy) while you were a student?

Colchester, VT--(Marketwire - December 17, 2010) - Highlighted Links

Green Mountain Power

Green Mountain Power will help to keep the heat on this winter for Vermont households in crisis through its $82,000 contribution to the WARMTH Support Program.

"Many elderly and disabled Vermonters and households with young children are making hard choices as they try to meet their basic needs this winter. We want to be sure that we are doing all we can to help reduce the burden on the most vulnerable members of our community," said Mary Powell, Green Mountain Power president and chief executive officer. "We encourage anyone in a position to do so to join us in protecting our friends and neighbors who may be struggling to stay warm."