Current News

The Fourth of July weekend in Vermont offers many ways to celebrate, but to truly appreciate the meaning of the holiday the state s historic sites are the place to start.
Special events at the Bennington Battle Monument, Mount Independence in Orwell, and the Calvin Coolidge Historic Sites will range from a reading of the Declaration of Independence and Colonial-era music to a ceremony honoring Calvin Coolidge, the only U.S. President born on the Fourth of July.
The many fun and unique activities at the state s historic sites can help visitors and residents alike discover the stories of Vermont s contributions to early American history, said Governor Jim Douglas.
On Saturday July 4th, the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site celebrates the birth of the nation as well as its 30th president.

Customers and members of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) may take advantage of special discounts and offers for selected events at the Burlington International Waterfront Festival from July 2 to July 14, the company announced today.
The Burlington International Waterfront Festival will include an array of events and activities to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the expedition led by French explorer Samuel de Champlain to the waters now known as Lake Champlain. BCBSVT will host several events as part of the company's sponsorship of the festival.
Information about the exciting events is listed below.
400 Years of Healthcare in Vermont Exhibit

Senate President Pro Tem Shumlin and Speaker Smith commented today on the loss of over 200 jobs at the Ethan Allen manufacturing plant in Beecher Falls, Vermont.
The loss of so many jobs is a devastating blow to the economy of the Northeast Kingdom, said Senator Shumlin. I have reached out to the plant manager and let him know that our thoughts are with the workers and their families as they deal with the loss of their jobs during such difficult economic times.
I was saddened and frustrated to hear of the job losses at the Ethan Allen plant, said Speaker Smith. Addressing the faltering economy as well as the unemployment insurance system will continue to be among the legislature's top priorities."

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin and Speaker Shap Smith moved forward today on addressing the challenge of unemployment insurance by appointing the Unemployment Trust Fund Reform Study Committee.
Vermont s unemployment insurance system is in desperate need of reform, said Speaker Smith. The Fund has been in decline for many years and without reform will go bankrupt. I am pleased that we have put together a strong committee who will continue the work we did on this issue, over the summer and fall months.
The Committee will undertake a comprehensive study of all the issues that affect the solvency of the trust fund and develop recommendations for reforms to make the fund more sustainable. These issues will include negative balance, seasonal and reimbursable employers, taxable wage base and the rates that are applied to those bases, benefit levels and others.

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) today announced the results of its mid-year financial audit, showing an increased budget deficit of $17.3 million for the six months that ended on March 31. Based on audit results, senior management projects a substantially higher deficit of $22.1 million by the end of the fiscal year in September.
"The current and projected shortfalls in our operating budget are intolerable," said hospital CEO Dr. Mark Novotny. "After my appointment as the interim CEO by the Board of Trustees in March, it quickly became clear that fiscal 2009 budget projections were seriously flawed. The board, former and current executives, and the senior management team all share responsibility for the outdated fiscal management practices, ill-informed decisions, and lack of adequate oversight that led to this serious financial situation."

Governor Jim Douglas attended the kick-off event for the Vermont Biosciences Alliance. The Vermont Biosciences Alliances is a partnership of businesses that make-up Vermont s growing bioscience industry as well as academic partners from the higher education community.
It is great to see business leaders from the bioscience community coming together to support one another, Governor Douglas said. These cutting-edge employers will play a leading role in our economic recovery and provide great job opportunities for Vermonters.

Ledyard National Bank recently completed a three-year commitment to the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies. The total contribution was $3,000.
Ledyard National Bank proudly supports the Center s mission to raise new ideas and improve debates through quality information and analysis on issues shaping New Hampshire s future.
Ledyard Financial Group, Inc., headquartered in Hanover, New Hampshire, is the holding company for Ledyard National Bank. Ledyard National Bank, founded in 1991, is a full service community bank offering a broad range of banking, investment, tax and wealth management services in the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region. Ledyard National Bank has eight offices with locations in Hanover, Lebanon, Lyme, New London, and West Lebanon, New Hampshire and in Norwich, Vermont.

Senator Patrick Leahy has announced that he will seek re-election to the United States Senate in 2010. Below is is a video of his annoucement, also if you haven't read our Profile on Leahy from the May issue of Vermont Business Magazine check it out here.

A new Vermont cheesemaker will begin producing high-quality artisanal cheeses this summer at the Plymouth Cheese Factory, located at the President Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth.
Fairfield Farms Artisan Cheese has signed a lease with the State of Vermont that will begin July 1. The company will create three types of hand-crafted, limited supply cheeses from raw milk at the facility. The site will be operated by Jesse Werner, cheesemaker and owner of Fairfield Farms Artisan Cheese.

Shelburne Museum Director Stephan Jost announced the election of James Pizzagalli as chairman of the board of trustees at Shelburne Museum.
Pizzagalli, of Shelburne, has served as a museum trustee for over 20 years. He succeeds Charles L. Granquist whose term as chairman expired, but who will remain on the board.
Shelburne Museum is fortunate to have such a capable and outstanding leader at the helm. Jim brings a combination of business acumen and an appreciation of the arts that will serve the museum well as we continue our work to bring great art and design as well as new educational opportunities to the community, Jost said.

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce announced today the selection of Betsy Bishop as the President of the state s premier business organization, representing a diverse cross section of businesses around the state.
Charged with leading the Vermont Chamber and its 1,500 members, Bishop said, I look forward to this opportunity to work with Vermont businesses, many of which are facing unprecedented challenges. With the volunteer board and Vermont Chamber members, I will continue to provide a strong voice for Vermont businesses as they strive to maintain employment levels and grow in this economy.

Governor Douglas today officially opened the new Bridge Street Bridge in Richmond marking the completion of Vermont s first ARRA funded project. Douglas was joined by Vermont Agency of Transportation Secretary David Dill, Federal Highway Administration Deputy Vermont Administrator Larry Dwyer, Richmond Selectboard Chairman Pete Parent and numerous Richmond residents to celebrate the opening of the Richmond Bridge Street Bridge, which opened for traffic last Friday.
I want to thank the Agency of Transportation, Federal Highway and the Town of Richmond for their cooperation and hard work to get this project done so quickly, said Governor Douglas. The quick and wise deployment of ARRA funds will help us make much needed and long overdue improvements to our transportation infrastructure. They will also give our economy a much needed boost during our construction season.