Current News

Vermonters’ interest in the newly enacted economic stimulus bill is so high that registration requests for Friday’s workshops on the plan have quickly outstripped capacity. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who organized the sessions, says signup requests topped 700 just days after online registration opened last week. Leahy Thursday announced that a second conference will be held late this month in Brattleboro to help accommodate Vermonters unable to attend Friday’s session, with details to be announced later.
Leahy and Gov. James Douglas (R) are hosting the Vermont conference and workshops on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) – believed to be the first such statewide sessions in the nation since enactment of the stimulus package -- where free workshops will help Vermont families, businesses and towns learn how the stimulus plan will help strengthen Vermont’s economy.

On Feb. 27, the gas savings program that has put more than $10 million back into the pockets of consumers throughout New England returns to participating Shaw’s Supermarkets, Dunkin’ Donuts locations and Irving Oil gas stations.
Participating Shaw’s Supermarkets will once again be offering powerful gas savings to their customers, which can then be redeemed at Irving locations throughout Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and in select areas in Vermont and Rhode Island.
To make Override even more convenient, customers using their Shaw’s Rewards Card when they shop for groceries can use that same card right at the pump to lower their price of gas. For the past year, people participating in the program were issued paper coupons, which meant having to go into the store to redeem the savings.
Now, with paper coupons eliminated, everyone can lower their price of gas right at the pump, saving both time and money.

Katie Adams, who founded Cat Country Radio sixteen years ago, is now creating another Rutland based enterprise. Adams has taken a closed wood pallet mill in Clarendon, and, as she did with country music, is filling a void in the market. She s starting the first wood pellet plant in Vermont.

State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding announced today that Vermont successfully sold $50.5 million in general obligation bonds. Demand was so high that once the selling period was open, the bonds virtually sold out in less than three hours.
We are extremely pleased by the response of our bond offering, said State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding. We received approximately $123 million of orders for the $50.5 million in bonds that were available. The strong response indicates local investors and brokers are eager to invest in the State and support badly needed capital projects.
The bonds are scheduled to settle, or close, on March 11, 2009. The State was able to lock in a total interest cost of 3.82 percent. The interest yield investors received on their bond purchases ranged from 0.62 percent for bonds maturing in one year to 4.60 percent for bonds maturing in 20 years. Bonds were offered in amounts as small as $1,000, with maturities ranging from one to 20 years.

Thirty-six candidates have submitted entries for the first round of the Fourth Annual Business Plan Competition offered by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC). Sixteen are in the New Business category and 20 in the Existing Business category.
Contestants range from a proposed kitchen store to a naturopathic health clinic. Several finalists from previous years returned with new ideas or refined plans. Three business proposals consider using the Internet as their primary medium for interacting with customers for various forms of teaching. Other proposals include candlemakers, timber-frame builders, architects with special design offerings, a farm-based brewhouse, and a Vermont liqueur maker. There are plans to expand a drum-making business, create a new high-end audio product, expand concrete businesses, and manufacture knapsacks.

Week Ending February 28, 2009. There were 1,543 new regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance last week, an increase of 242 from the week before. Altogether 18,255 new and continuing claims were filed, 822 more than a week ago and 6,891 more than a year earlier. The Department also processed 2,804 First Tier claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08), 957 more than a week ago. In addition, there were 898 Second Tier claims for benefits processed under the EUC08 program. The Unemployment Weekly Report can be found at: http://www.vtlmi.info/. Previously released Unemployment Weekly Reports and other UI reports can be found at: http://www.vtlmi.info/lmipub.htm#uc

Dennise Casey, Governor Douglas deputy chief of staff, has assumed the responsibilities of spokesman for the governor. His former press secretary, Stephen Wark, has accepted a position with the Department of Public Service as Manager of Special Projects. Wark will assume a leadership role in shaping the department s strategy to deploy the federal stimulus funds as well as the continuing development of the All Fuels Efficiency Program.

Governor Howard Dean -- a nationally recognized political figure, presidential candidate and six term Governor -- has agreed to serve as an independent consultant exclusive to the government affairs practice at McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP. Governor Dean will provide guidance to clients, particularly in the areas of healthcare and alternative energy resources.
Governor Dean joins MLA following his tenure as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) where he created and implemented the "50 State Strategy." In his new role as Senior Strategic Advisor and Independent Consultant, he will use his experience running national campaigns to the benefit of states and municipalities. Governor Dean will leverage his position as a thought-leader on policy issues to the benefit of his clients in the health and energy sectors.

Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz, in partnership with the Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, will present the 2009 Centennial Business Awards at the statehouse on Thursday, March 5, at 4:00 p.m.
The award acknowledges Vermont s oldest businesses for enriching the economic heritage and enhancing community life during the last century and beyond. From all across Vermont, these honored businesses represent a wide range of entrepreneurs from country stores and farms to manufacturing companies. This year 11 businesses will be honored for having survived not only into 2009 but for the past century in the competitive and often-unforgiving business landscape.

Secretary of State Deb Markowitz announced today that the Redstone offices of the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA) will be moving to the record center on Route 2 in Middlesex. The move, which will occur during the week of March 9th, is part of an ongoing effort to consolidate and improve the services of VSARA.
Last year the legislature passed a law that transferred the functions of the Public Records Division to the Archives Division of the Secretary of State s Office, said Markowitz. This creates a single, professional voice for advising agencies on the management of their records from point of creation to final disposition, thus increasing efficiency and improving service.

US Rep. Peter Welch announced Tuesday a set of staff transitions geared toward supporting his work on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, to which he was appointed in January.
Welch hired Stephanie Krenrich as Senior Legislative Assistant with a focus on health, education, housing and the environment. Mary Sprayregen, who previously served as Welch s Business Liaison in his Vermont office, has joined the Congressman s Washington office as a Legislative Assistant with a focus on business, energy, telecommunications and appropriations.
I am pleased to welcome Stephanie Krenrich to our team and Mary Sprayregen to our Washington office, Welch said. Stephanie has proven herself as an accomplished legislative assistant and brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to our office. Mary was an invaluable asset to our Vermont office and to the state s business community, and I am excited she will be joining our Washington team.

Executive Vice President Thomas S. Leavitt announced that the Merchants Bank officially celebrated the opening of their new branch, located at 929 Shelburne Road in South Burlington on Friday, February 27. The branch has been open since Tuesday, January 20 of this year. Remarks by bank officials were delivered during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and visitors enjoyed refreshments and toured the new branch. The Bank also made a $500 donation to the Humane Society of Chittenden County.