Current News

The state of Vermont will get over $400,000 as part of the US Department of Labor's announcement today it will provide $164.5 million to 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to make technology upgrades that will improve the operation and security of unemployment insurance systems.
"Unemployment insurance programs play a key role in supporting dislocated workers," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "I am pleased that these grants will help states improve their technology infrastructure and better serve those in need. Making sure that claims and benefits are processed and paid in a timely, consistent and secure manner is critical to providing workers with the income security needed to actively seek re-employment."

Shelburne Museum has been selected to receive the 2009 Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections. The national award, presented to just two museums this year, is determined by a panel of distinguished conservation experts from across the country and is presented jointly by Heritage Preservation and the American Institute for Conservation of Historic Artistic Works. The other recipient was Historic Cherry Hill in Albany, NY.
“We are honored to be recognized by our peers for our work in caring for the many and varied collections at Shelburne Museum,” said Rick Kerschner, director of preservation and conservation at Shelburne Museum. “The museum’s diverse collection coupled with the environmental challenges presented by Vermont’s climate make our work both challenging and rewarding.”

Governor Douglas today congratulated AirBoss, a manufacturer of rubber protective gear, after they were authorized for over $243,000 in Vermont Employment Growth Incentives (VEGI). AirBoss plans to locate a manufacturing facility in Milton, Vermont and create over 30 jobs over the next two years. In April, Governor Douglas and a team of local, state and federal economic development officials met with AirBoss executives to outline a package of supports and incentives. In May, the company received Initial Approval of VEGI incentives. The state also committed employee training funds through the Vermont Training Program and help from the Procurement Technical Assistance Center. And at its recent meeting, the Vermont Economic Progress Council gave final approval to a VEGI application from AirBoss Defense for incentives totaling up to $243,279.

State officials recently told Vermont Life magazine's advertising director that they were terminating her contract which still has more than two years to run. That move prompted allegations that the Douglas Administration may be retaliating against the contractor, Gerianne Smart, for her public criticisms of earlier cutbacks affecting the 63-year-old state-published quarterly.
Smart, who runs a marketing and advertising firm in Vergennes, said she doesn't know whether the state sought to punish her in response to comments she made in March at a State Legislature hearing.
I don't want to believe that people in positions of power act this way, she said in an interview.
I thought I had to speak out as a citizen because one of the treasures of our state was under siege, Smart explained. She said she was concerned about a decision to leave the posts of Vermont Life publisher and product manager unfilled.

A celebration of two new elementary schools focusing on sustainability and the arts in Burlington was highlighted today with the announcement of dual Champlain College scholarships aimed at helping graduates of the magnet schools attend college.

Vermont Information Technology Leaders, Inc, the non-profit organization facilitating the expanded use of health information technology in Vermont, and Allscripts (Nasdaq: MDRX), the leading US health information technology provider with a major facility located in South Burlington, Vermont, today announced their intention to enter into a strategic alliance.
VITL is the state-funded provider of health information technology infrastructure for Vermont's Blueprint for Health, a groundbreaking initiative of the Vermont Department of Health to build a statewide chronic care information system. Formed by a broad base of providers, payers, employers, patients, and state agencies, VITL is a multi-stakeholder nonprofit corporation largely supported by the state's Health Information Technology Fund.

National Life Insurance Company (National Life) headquartered in Montpelier, Vermont, today announced that it has completed a $200 million surplus note offering.
“We are very pleased with the completion of this surplus note offering,” said Mehran Assadi, president and chief executive officer of National Life Group, the parent company of National Life Insurance Company.
“The capital raised in this offering will help us finance our current strong sales growth and broaden our options for future growth,” said Assadi.
“I believe the success of this sale speaks highly about our financial strength and the confidence of the market in our company,” he said.
The National Life note will mature in 2039.
About National Life Group - www.nationallife.com ~ www.facebook.com/nationallife

USDA Rural Development has selected 35 Vermont businesses to receive $2,364,617 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) energy efficiency and energy improvement grants and loan guarantees. Twenty-two businesses were announced today, by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and are the final selections for the REAP funds this fiscal year.
USDA Rural Development recognizes the importance of renewable energy and energy efficiency. said Rhonda Shippee, Acting State Director. We look forward to continued success in funding similar projects-- helping finance projects that are good for the economy and good for the bottom line of the participating Vermont businesses.
Recipients will use their awards for a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy purposes. These awards will additional small wind, solar electric generation and lighting improvement projects to USDA Rural Developments energy program portfolio.

At the end of August, 2009, over 80,000 Vermonters were participating in 3SquaresVT (formerly Food Stamps). That is more than 1 in 8 Vermonters. Collectively, this brought in about 10 million Federal dollars to Vermont’s grocery stores and farmers’ markets in the month of August. Angela Smith-Dieng, Senior 3SquaresVT/Food Stamp Nutrition Program & Policy Specialist at the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger says, “A year ago, in August 2008 there were 57,672 Vermonters receiving 3SquaresVT benefits. Participation has increased by 40 percent in the past year. We believe this is due to the downturn in the economy and the fact that more Vermonters are struggling to put food on the table as well as the expansion of eligibility that began in January. More Vermonters than ever now qualify and there is no limit on the number of Vermonters who can participate.”

Efficiency Vermont is providing 15,000 60-, 75- and 100-watt equivalent compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs to the Vermont Foodbank, the state’s largest hunger-relief organization. The bulbs will be distributed to needy Vermonters through the Foodbank’s network of 270 sites located in all 14 counties of the state.
The CFL distribution program kicks off during Hunger Action Month, a nationwide effort in September to motivate local action to end hunger. In Vermont, the number of families seeking assistance from the Vermont Foodbank has risen 35-40 percent in the last 10 months.
“We’re thrilled to support the Vermont Foodbank in its efforts to fight hunger in Vermont,” said Michael Russom, efficient products manager at Efficiency Vermont. “For every CFL that’s used, needy Vermonters will save money on their energy bills, which gives them more money to buy the food they need.”

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack recently announced that USDA has selected three Vermont organizations to receive $2.0 million in loans to spur economic development. Recipients have been selected for Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) loans that capitalize long term community-based revolving loan funds. These funds, in combination with bank loans, and business equity are often the final component of a business’ financing needs. The program purpose is to create or retain jobs by starting or expanding businesses.

High Mowing Organic Seeds, a mail-order organic seed company based in Wolcott, Vermont, announced today that it has won its nearly 20 month lawsuit against the USDA for the premature deregulation of Monsanto’s genetically engineered sugar beets. Additional plaintiffs include the Center for Food Safety, Organic Seed Alliance and the Sierra Club and were represented in addition, by Earth Justice attorneys. The groups filed the lawsuit in January 2008.