Current News

Vermont began its apple harvest about ten days earlier than usual and producers expect to wrap up the 2010 season early as well -- by late October. Despite a few problems through the season -- ranging from late frosts to labor shortages and hail, most growers are optimistic that this will be a good year. They are finding prices holding steady or increasing slightly in response to the national crop forecast, which is down about six percent from 2009. Vermont’s 2010 crop is expected to be 786,000 bushels, a 17 percent drop from last year, and a 14 percent drop from the state’s five-year average.

Plasan, a key provider in survivability and combat-proven armor solutions for vehicles, airborne platforms and personal protection, will showcase its latest survivability solutions and armor technologies at the Modern Day Marine Expo September 28-30 in Quantico, Virginia.
Dan Ziv, CEO of Plasan, said: "Plasan is proud of our long relationship with the USMC, and we are pleased to showcase our latest innovations at Modern Day Marine. Plasan's designers and engineers are combat veterans, using our hands-on experience to deliver survivability solutions."
Since 2004, Plasan has been working with the Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Corporation to deliver armor and survivability solutions to the U.S. Marine Corps. This includes delivery of crew cab and cargo armor for the USMC MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV), the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) Standard Cargo vehicles and the Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR).

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced $68 million in grants to help seniors, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers better understand and navigate their health and long-term care options. A total of $636,104 in grants has been awarded in Vermont.
‘We know how difficult it can be for individuals and caregivers to deal with a sudden illness or chronic disease while at the same time trying to navigate through a complex health care system to figure out where to go to get appropriate help. The Affordable Care Act seeks to give people more control over their own care, while lowering health care costs and improving quality,’ said Secretary Sebelius.

The blending of old and new into a state of the art facility to serve prospective and current students at Champlain College was celebrated Friday at the Roger H Perry Hall on South Willard Street.

US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on Saturday secured a commitment that virtually all Vermonters will have affordable access to broadband Internet service within three years.
‘When we talk about infrastructure in the year 2010, we are talking about the need to make quality, affordable broadband available to every community in the state,’ Sanders told more than 300 people who attended the town meeting that he hosted at Vermont Technical College.
The Vermont Telephone Co., which won the biggest slice of $172 million of federal stimulus funds to bring broadband service to Vermont, pledged to help bring 21st century computer access to Vermont businesses, schools and hospitals. Michel Guite, the VTel CEO, pledged to the three-year timeline. He also said the broadband services would be affordable, costing $10 for a basic package and for $35 for a faster-speed service.

Peter Shumlin, the Democrat running for governor of Vermont, today released his list of assets. The total net comes to $10,674,934, with much of it in his business, Putney Student Travel, and real estate holdings in Windham County. Shumlin also included a detailed list of his investments and called upon Brian Dubie, his Republican opponent, to meet the same higher level of transparency. Dubie's financials listed his net worth at $1.2 million, most of which was in family real estate. Dubie's campaign had chided Shumlin for not releasing his assets sooner. Financials are below and attached.

Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I) and Congressman Peter Welch (D) report that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack Friday made it official that the Rutland Free Library will receive $663,000 in federal support for repair of the library’s roof. The funding -- a $200,000 grant and $463,000 loan -- comes through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Facilities Program as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, enacted last year to promote economic recovery from the recession that began in 2008. The funds will also address the drainage issues of the building, as well as de-humidifying the basement.
The award for the Rutland Library rehabilitation project was the second largest nationwide of the investments awarded by USDA on Friday. Collectively, 129 projects in 30 states were funded to build and enhance libraries in rural communities across the nation.

Governor Jim Douglas welcomed the news that Vermont was recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its improved access through expanded outreach in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during 2009. As a result Vermont will receive $375,889 in bonus funds for the program as part of $18 million worth of bonus awards announced today by Federal Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The national SNAP program is known in Vermont as 3SquaresVT.

‘Once again, Vermont is recognized as a leader among states in protecting and serving the most vulnerable in our communities,’ said Governor Jim Douglas. ‘This award recognizes our strong efforts to reach out to Vermonters in need to ensure they have access to critical benefits, especially in these challenging economic times.’

The U.S. Army Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command, Picatinny, N.J., awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products an order valued at approximately $35 million to manufacture M2A1 quick change barrel (QCB) conversion kits. The QCB conversion kits feature several direct-replacement parts to modify existing M2 heavy barrel (M2HB) machine guns to the M2A1 configuration. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in January 2011 and will continue through December 2012. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

Director Art Jones and Bruce Bouchard, Executive Director of The Paramount Theatre, announced today that the feature-length Rutland-focused documentary, "The Blood in this Town" will be presented in a "Sneak Preview to Benefit the Paramount Theatre" on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 6:30 p.m. There will be two additional "Sneak Previews" at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24. Proceeds will benefit The Paramount.

Private equity firm North Castle Partners in partnership with CMS Companies announced today that they have invested in Ibex Outdoor Clothing Holdings, Inc, a designer, marketer, manufacturer and distributor of a diverse range of premium branded wool and wool-based technical apparel and accessories. Ibex just announced it was opening its first retail store in Boston. North Castle is a leading private equity firm focused exclusively on investments in consumer-driven product and service businesses that benefit from "Healthy Living and Aging" trends. The terms of the investment were not disclosed.

To continue to stay ahead of rising demand for wireless voice, 3G multimedia and Internet access in Windsor County, Vermont, Verizon Wireless has expanded its local network. New cell site provides increased wireless voice and 3G data coverage for western portions of Woodstock and along sections of Route 4, as well as the surrounding area. Expanded 3G data coverage in Woodstock lets more customers using notebook computers or smartphones.
‘People across Vermont are increasingly relying on smartphones and 3G apps to manage their busy lives and stay connected at home or on-the-go,’ said director for Network Systems Performance for Verizon Wireless, Richard Enright. ‘Our network investment in New England has kept us ahead of consumer trends, provided our customers a 3G advantage and underscored our belief that any mobile device is only as good as the network it runs on. Proactive and sustained investment has made Verizon Wireless the 3G leader in New England and nationwide.’