Current News

Montpelier -- The Vermont Department of Labor announced today that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December 2008 was 6.4 percent, up seven-tenths of a point from the revised November rate and up 2.5 points from a year ago.
The nation s job market deteriorated sharply in the fourth quarter and especially in December, said Patricia Moulton Powden, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Labor. New estimation procedures indicate that Vermont s job market followed those national trends.

In 1982, a group of concerned community members and organizations came together to address the needs and concerns of Burlington s homeless population. On December 24, 1982, the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) opened its doors for the first time providing overnight shelter to people without homes during that winter season. In 1983, the organization incorporated as a non-profit and began a year round operation. COTS has become a valuable resource in Chittenden County for individuals in need of shelter, a place to sleep, healthcare, job training and counseling services.
As we begin to enter the colder months, the need for shelter becomes even more critical. Unfortunately, during these hard economic times, homelessness is affecting many Vermonters. COTS continued ability to address homelessness is invaluable and we are proud to support their efforts to provide shelter to individuals and families, said Kathy Schirling, Senior Vice President Chittenden Bank.

Montpelier, VT - The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) approved $2.2 million in business development financing, leveraging another $2.8 million in private financing for projects throughout the state.
"VEDA is pleased to offer financing assistance that will help a Colchester business expand, and bring new jobs to St. Albans through establishment of a new manufacturing plant there," said Jo Bradley, VEDA's Chief Executive Officer.
Approved for VEDA financing assistance are:

Montpelier, VT. - The administration of Governor Jim Douglas has called the first meeting of a group of officials from state government, business, and non-government organizations that will provide a rapid response to Vermont companies facing difficulties.
The Economic Response Team, a collaborative effort of the state's economic development partners proposed by the Governor as part of his Inaugural Address, will meet Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at the Pavilion Building in Montpelier from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
"As we did with the Fuel and Food Partnership, the Economic Response Team will bring together the private and public sector to help Vermont companies at risk due to the current economic downturn," Governor Douglas said. "By cutting through red tape and bringing all of our combined resources to bear, we can help preserve and even grow jobs."

Rep. Peter Welch hailed President Obama's decision Monday to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider a waiver requested by California, Vermont and 12 other states that would allow them to set strict, new vehicle emissions standards.
Obama today reversed a December 2007 ruling by the Bush administration which denied states the right to demand tougher fuel efficiency standards than those set by the federal government. The president was also expected to direct the Department of Transportation to require a nationwide average fuel efficiency increase to 35 miles per gallon by 2020.

Managing Director William P. Stritzler of Smugglers' Notch Resort in Jeffersonville has been elected chair of the Vermont Business Roundtable, and five Vermont CEOs are newly-elected to three year terms on the board of directors. The new directors and officers assumed their roles during the Roundtable's annual membership meeting on Jan. 14. Stritzler takes over the position from Timothy R. Volk, president of Kelliher Samets Volk, a Burlington-based marketing firm. Upon taking the helm Stritzler said, "There is much work to be done and the Roundtable is in a unique position to provide leadership on critical issues."Other newly elected officers include Steven P. Voigt, president and chief executive officer of King Arthur Flour Company, Inc.(Norwich) as vice chair, Douglas H. Griswold, president of S.T. Griswold & Co., Inc. (Williston) as secretary, and Mark R. Neagley, president of Neagley & Chase Construction Co. (So.

Heritage Flight, which has been in business since 1984, has just been granted IS-BAO (International Standard of Business Aviation Organization) certification. They are also AR/GUS platinum rated and Wyvern recommended. This remarkable accomplishment has been achieved by only 4 charter operators in the nation. This recognizes Heritage Flight's continued commitment and emphasis on safety.
In addition, Heritage Aviation, a subsidiary of Heritage Flight, is set to open in the fall of 2009. Located at the Burlington International Airport adjacent to Heritage Flight, Heritage Aviation will provide full FBO, maintenance, and fueling services. This 79,300 square foot state of the art LEED facility will be one of the first of its kind in the country and will feature not only a first class lobby and reception area, pilots lounge, quiet rooms, weather and briefing areas, but a cinema, fitness center, conference rooms, dining facility, and an observation deck.

A new booklet, "How Burlington Became an Award Winning City: An Historical Summary of Burlington's Economic Development Efforts with a Vision for the Future 1983-2008 " is a chronicle of major economic development efforts in the City, highlighting a handful of particular programs and projects as well as some of the many awards that have been received. Included are sections containing Five-Year Goals, Priorities and Lessons Learned over 25 years.
On Line version:
http://www.cedoburlington.org/business/25%20years%20final%20book.pdf

The US Census Bureau has opened a census office in Vermont to carry out early 2010 operations and is looking for qualified applicants to fill more than 800 jobs across the state. The local census office is located near Burlington. Positions include address listers, office clerks, recruiting assistants, crew leaders and field operations supervisors. The census employees will help develop an address list in spring 2009. The address list will be used to deliver census questionnaires in 2010. The jobs are temporary; some are full time and others part time. Census jobs offer flexible schedules and allow close-to-home employment. Pay starts at $13.50 per hour and varies by job and location. Those interested in applying for these jobs should go to www.2010censusjobs.gov for job descriptions, qualifications and applications. Potential applicants also can call toll free 1-866-861-2010. Applicants must be age 18 and older, U.S.

South Burlington, VT, January 19, 2009--The Magic Hat Brewing Company & Performing Arts Center has announced sales results for the 2008 calendar year, and the numbers show that the brewer holding strong continues to perform well despite a shaky American economy and the rising prices in production costs.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Jan. 20, 2009) - Trader Corporation (Trader), the vertical media business of Yellow Pages Income Fund (TSX:YLO.UN), announced today it has entered into a strategic agreement with Burlington, Vermont-based Dealer.com (www.Dealer.com) that will deliver a suite of marketing technology solutions to Canada's new and used vehicle industry.
Trader and Dealer.com have signed a long-term, exclusive commercial agreement making Dealer.com's web solutions available to Trader's extensive customer base in Canada served under its AutoTraderTM brand. Concurrent with the commercial agreement, Trader will also take a 20 per cent equity interest in Dealer.com for US$35 million, with the option to increase its ownership in the privately held company over time.

Miss Vermont 2008, Ashley Wheeler, received the best talent score for her a capella rendition of "God Bless America" in the final night of the Miss America preliminary competition on Thursday, January 22, 2009.
WHERE: Planet Hollywood- Las Vegas, Nevada

WHY: The preliminaries are made up of three nights of competition where contestants are judged in talent, evening wear, fitness, on-stage interview, and private interview. The talent portion of the competition counts for 35% of the contestant's score. This recognition is very good news, as Ashley's goal is to be the first Miss Vermont ever to make the Top 15 and a top score in talent will help her overall score a great deal.