Current News

As events continue to unfold in Washington that could alter the scope of the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, the nonprofit organization took time recently to recognize the anniversaries of its major college planning programs.
· For 40 years, VSAC has provided Vermonters with individual counseling through TRiO, a group of programs that use a combination of federal and VSAC funds to help low-income, first-generation, college-bound students prepare for and succeed in education or training beyond high school.
· Ten years ago, Vermont was among the first states to receive funding through GEAR UP, another federal-VSAC partnership serving disadvantaged students. GEAR UP was created by former US Senator James Jeffords of Vermont.

Standing on the land-based part of the Vermont side of the closed Champlain Bridge, New York Acting Commissioner of Transportation Stanley Gee delivered the structure’s death warrant. At a hastily called press conference at Chimney Point yesterday (November 9, 2009), Gee said NYS-DOT and three consulting engineering firms had analyzed all the data from all the inspections of the 80-year-old bridge, and had concluded that it had indeed passed its predicted 70-year lifespan. Unsafe for anyone to work on, and so close to collapse that the waterway beneath has been close to boat traffic, the rusting steel trusses have to go as soon as possible, he said.

Three Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) officers have announced their retirement after distinguished careers spanning 30 to more than 40 years each. Scheduled to retire later this month are Mike Kansler, president, chief executive officer and chief nuclear officer of Entergy Nuclear; John McGaha, senior vice president of Entergy Operations; and Bud Storey, vice president and deputy general counsel.
"Mike, John and Bud have all made invaluable contributions to the company throughout their many years of service," said Entergy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer J. Wayne Leonard. "All three have been outstanding leaders and will leave big shoes to fill at Entergy. They have planned for this day and helped to develop successors that are prepared and eager to continue the record of achievement set by their predecessors."

WCAX-TV announced today that Molly McKenna Smith will lead its news coverage in Rutland, Bennington and Windham Counties. Smith will be based out of Channel 3’s Rutland Bureau.
“We are excited to welcome Molly as our newest journalist. Molly's presence in Rutland will enable us to cover stories more readily from that important region,” noted Anson Tebbetts, WCAX News Director.
Smith is a graduate of Rutland High School and earned her broadcasting degree from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, in Athens, Ohio.
Smith stated, “I am delighted to be home, and look forward to telling stories that resonate with Vermonters."
WCAX, which is based in Burlington, maintains bureaus in Rutland, Montpelier, West Lebanon, NH, and Plattsburgh, NY.
WCAX-TV is the CBS affiliate in Burlington, VT and is owned and operated by Mt. Mansfield Television, Inc.
Source: WCAX. 11.9.2009.

New York Governor David A Paterson and Vermont Governor Jim Douglas have received a report from their states’ respective transportation agencies which finds that it is not feasible to rehabilitate the Lake Champlain Bridge. Engineers have declared that the 80-year-old span is too unstable to be renovated, and recommend demolishing the bridge for the safety of motorists and boaters. The states will accept these recommendations based on the overwhelming safety issues enumerated in the report and will begin planning the construction of a new bridge in its place. We expect the Federal Highway Administration to concur with this recommendation based on their preliminary review of the report.

Governor Jim Douglas invites the public to join the Vermont Fallen Families to observe the Veterans’ Day holiday and the unveiling of the Vermont Global War on Terror Memorial at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph. Vermont’s Gold Star Families and friends along with state officials have worked hard to organize and create a lasting monument to honor our 36 Vermont servicemen who have given selflessly and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great nation. The Memorial will forever recognize their patriotism and courage and will include tributes to all service men and women who continue to defend our freedoms each and every day.
WHAT: Global War on Terror Memorial unveiling and Veteran’s Day observance
WHEN: Veteran’s Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2009 – 2:00pm
WHERE: Vermont Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Cemetery Chapel, 487 Furnace Road Randolph Center, Vermont
Source: Governor's office.
###

A Barre Town company that makes wind turbines is hoping to find local businesses who can supply it with components and services as it expands its business. Northern Power Systems and the Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development are teaming up to hold a “Supply Chain Open House” to match up potential suppliers with the company on November 13.
“As we expand our production – particularly into the utility-scale turbine market – Northern Power is looking to ‘buy local’ wherever possible,” said Taylor Robinson, Vice President of Global Supply Chain for the firm. “Not only does this reduce transportation and other procurement costs, but it helps our neighbors and the state’s economy.”
Northern Power President and CEO John P. Danner; Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie; and Commerce and Community Development Secretary Kevin Dorn will join Robinson at the day-long open house.

SELF, the national women’s well-being magazine, announces Burlington, Vermont as the nation’s healthiest city in its 10thannual Healthiest Places for Women survey. Analyzing 100 US metropolitan areas, this examination is the most comprehensive of its kind. Using a broad scope of research criteria, SELF evaluated more than 8,000 bits of data to determine each city’s level of healthy living.
SELF polled a panel of experts to find out which factors most affect a woman’s ability to live her healthiest. Then compiled a list of 50 criteria, including rates of diseases such as cancer and depression; health care factors such as: the number of doctors per capita and the percentage of population with health insurance; environmental and community measures such as: air quality, crime rates and unemployment statistics; and habits such as exercise, diet and smoking.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) enhancements to US Small Business Administration loan programs have led to a significant rebound in Vermont of SBA-backed loans for small businesses and greater access to much needed capital.
As a result of the credit crunch, SBA lending significantly declined in the fall of 2008 and early 2009. Following the signing of the Recovery Act on Feb. 17, 2009, Vermont’s monthly loan volume remained relatively flat until mid-March, 2009, when the number of loans began a sharp and steady climb from 13 loans in March to a high of 49 in September.
By the close of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2009, the SBA Vermont District Office had achieved 128.39% of its loan goal, the highest in the country. With an original goal of $45,491,700, the SBA Vermont District Office closed FY09 with a total loan volume of $58,406,600, an increase of 28% over the same period last year.

A grant secured by Senator Patrick Leahy will be used to launch a new Vermont Agricultural Innovation Demonstration Center, to help develop new Vermont products and chart new avenues for Vermont’s farmers and businesses to connect with untapped customers and markets. Leahy aide Tom Berry made the announcement Friday in remarks in Rutland before the Vermont Farm Bureau.
Leahy secured $469,000 in US Department of Agriculture funding for the new Center, which will be housed at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Leahy is a senior member of both the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
The Center will use the grant to provide technical assistance for developing new Vermont crops and products; for market research and promotion; for promoting agricultural and culinary tourism; and for a wide range of other services to expand the reach of Vermont’s agricultural products.

Governor Douglas today announced the appointment of David H Tucker as Commissioner of the Department of Information and Innovation and Chief Information Officer for the State of Vermont. Tucker has, for the last four years, served as Deputy Commissioner of the Department. Tucker replaces Tom Murray who recently resigned to take the position of Executive Director of the Vermont Telecommunications Authority.
“David’s experiences at DII and in state government broadly make him specially qualified to act as the State’s CIO during this critical time,” said Governor Douglas. “David’s leadership skills are essential as we look to IT for ways to deliver government services more effectively and affordably.”
“I want to thank Governor Douglas for this new opportunity to serve Vermont,” said Tucker. “I’m looking forward to continuing the good work that DII is doing to make state government more efficient.”

Central Vermont Public Service reported consolidated earnings of $18.6 million, or $1.57 per diluted share of common stock, for the first nine months of 2009, compared to $16.4 million, or $1.55 per diluted share of common stock, for the same period last year. CV reported third-quarter 2009 consolidated earnings of $6.2 million, or 52 cents per diluted share of common stock, compared to $6.5 million, or 61 cents per diluted share of common stock, for the same period last year.
Details
-- Year-to-date earnings of $18.6 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, 2 cents higher than last year - $4.3 million decrease in operating revenue - $6.4 million decrease in purchased power expense - $4.8 million increase in Other operating expenses - $1.0 million increase in equity in earnings of affiliates - $2.4 million increase in other income, net