Current News

Average retail gasoline prices in Vermont have fallen to $2.67 per gallon, or 5 cents below the national average, and are trending downward, while Burlington gas prices have fallen 2.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.66/g yesterday. This compares with the national average that has fallen 0.2 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.72/g, according to gasoline price websites vermontgasprices.com and BurlingtonGasPrices.com.

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To accelerate the installation of ultra-efficient LED lighting, Efficiency Vermont is now offering businesses rebates for the installation of Lighting Science Group's (LSCG 1.62, +0.06, +3.85%) new DEFINITY line of LED bulbs, PROLIFIC Series street lights and Shoebox fixtures. Chosen as a result of their rigorous LM-79 performance testing and excellent color rendering index and efficacy, Lighting Science Group's ultra-efficient LED bulbs and fixtures have no mercury and very long life-spans. The incentives are being provided for retrofit, new construction and custom applications through Efficiency Vermont.

EnerNOC, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENOC), a leading provider of SaaS-based carbon management applications, today announced that Cabot Creamery Cooperative, a major northeastern dairy producer and a leader in sustainable business operations, will deploy EnerNOC’s CarbonSMARTâ ¢ to streamline its data collection process, provide a comprehensive and accurate overview of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and help prioritize energy efficiency strategies. Cabot’s Vermont-based facilities include dairy manufacturing facilities, distribution and warehousing, and administrative offices.

The Addison County Chamber of Commerce (ACCOC) is teaming up with Efficiency Vermont to implement its new Business Energy Ambassadors program. Under this program, trained volunteers will conduct free on-site business energy visits to identify opportunities for helping small businesses save energy (and money!). The primary focus is on lighting, which can also increase the appeal of retail and office spaces to customers and clients. ACCOC will work with businesses that can benefit from the limited-time and enhanced financial incentives currently being offered by Efficiency Vermont.

SBA Administrator Karen Mills announced today the U.S. Small Business Administration’s support for 10 regional economic development and job creation efforts through a new pilot program, ‘Innovative Economies.’
The pilot program supports small businesses participation in regional economic ‘clusters’ ‘ collaborations between small businesses, the public sector, economic development and other organizations.
‘Maximizing a region’s economic assets is one of the best ways to create long term job growth, and that’s what SBA’s new Innovative Economies pilot initiative is doing,’ Mills said. ‘Today we are announcing funding support for 10 regional economic clusters. SBA’s support will help expand the opportunities and the role small businesses play in these regional collaborations, which are enhancing the ability to create jobs locally and compete on a national and global scale.’

The US Army recently awarded MicroStrain, Inc. a Phase II SBIR contract to continue to develop a comprehensive and wirelessly networked health management capability that can be embedded directly into rotorcraft components. Providing the technology to manage the health of rotating helicopter structural components is expected to significantly reduce operational costs, increase mission readiness, and enhance safety.
MicroStrain’s Phase II SBIR effort includes a demonstration of embedded energy harvesting radio frequency identification (EH-RFID) nodes with capabilities of unique identification, performance monitoring, on board storage of component usage history, and remaining useful life.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) is pleased to announce it will package and distribute a new green tea in a K-Cup® portion pack made with paper.
Celestial Seasonings® Honey Lemon Ginseng Green Tea is the first beverage to be offered in the new paper-based K-Cup, which is designed for use in the Keurig® Single-Cup Brewing System. The K-Cup contains authentic green tea and delicate Bai Mu Dan white tea ‘ one of the rarest and youngest of teas ‘ creating a smooth, balanced cup with a pleasantly mild flavor.

Jim Glanville, general manager of The Essex Resort & Spa in Essex (Burlington), Vermont, received the prestigious Borden E. Avery Innkeeper of the Year award from the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented at the Chamber’s annual Hospitality Gala Tuesday night.
According to the Chamber’s press release, ‘The Borden Avery award is the Vermont hospitality industry's most prestigious award, designed for individuals who have held long time, high profile positions in the state's tourism industry.’
Glanville, a career hotelier and native of Baltimore Maryland, moved to Vermont in 1995 to further his career in Hospitality, raise a family and realize his childhood dream of living in the Green Mountain State. In 2003, he became Vice President & General Manager of The Essex Resort, and he helped turn the once-boutique country hotel into the Burlington area’s only AAA 4-Diamond Resort.

On Thursday, September 23, 2010, Chef John Folse will attempt to break the Guinness world record for the largest macaroni and cheese using Cabot Creamery Cooperative’s award-winning cheddar cheese to cook 2,100 pounds in a giant cast iron kettle on Fulton Square from 11:30 am to 2 pm.
“We chose to partner with New Orleans’ nonprofits to celebrate all of the powerful work these organizations have contributed to the city,” said Roberta MacDonald, Senior Vice President of Cabot Marketing. “We hope our involvement will assist these organizations in their future efforts towards positive change.”

Statewide science assessment results for Spring 2010 were released by the Vermont Department of Education today. The results are from the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) Science assessments, given to Vermont public school students in grades 4, 8 and 11 in May 2010. This is the third year of administration of the NECAP Science Assessment.
Fifty-four percent of Vermont fourth graders assessed were proficient or higher in science, up two percentage points from last year. In grade eight, 29 percent were proficient or higher, up five points. In grade 11, 28 percent were proficient or higher, up 1 point from 2009.

The newly released Early Care and Education--Investing in Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers highlights the long-term value of high-quality early care and education, the issues parents and providers face, and what still needs to be done to assure that all of Vermont’s children are given the best start possible. It was produced by The Permanent Fund for the Well-Being of Vermont Children, the A.D. Henderson Foundation, and the Vermont Community Foundation and is the latest topic to be explored for the Understanding Vermont series.
Science shows that brain development peaks from birth to five, forming the behaviors and skills that will prepare children for success in school, the workplace, and the community. Where and how the youngest Vermonters spend these first few years has an enormous affect on their future.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has approved $33.5 million in financing assistance to Vermont businesses undertaking commercial and manufacturing expansion projects throughout the state. Also included is financing to support agricultural, real estate development, and business technology projects.

"VEDA is pleased to offer financing support to these projects," said VEDA Chief Executive Officer Jo Bradley. ‘Jobs are being retained or created in a variety of economic sectors, and that is good news for Vermont.’ Projects approved by the Authority for financing assistance are: