Current News

Montpelier, VT - Governor Douglas has announced that the initial damage assessment for the December 11th ice storm in southern Vermont has exceeded the required federal threshold of $1 million, allowing the Governor to apply for a Presidential Disaster Declaration.
"Our most recent ice storm was a disaster on many levels, impacting our infrastructure and commerce," said Governor Douglas. "The professionalism of our first responders and utility workers kept Vermonters safe, but much work remains to return to normalcy. I am pleased that FEMA promptly assessed our situation and determined we met the standard for federal assistance," he said.

Firms could create 238 jobs over next five years
MONTPELIER, Vt. - A start-up company; a long-time Vermont manufacturer; and a Canadian firm have been authorized to earn $1.7 million worth of incentives that could produce 238 new jobs over the next five years.
At its recent meeting, the Vermont Economic Progress Council gave initial approval for incentives totaling up to $795,139 for joint venture ASK-in TAG, LLC to potentially establish a facility in Essex to develop and manufacture radio frequency identification documents such as enhanced driver's licenses.
The Council also gave initial approval for incentives totaling up to $246,051 to persuade Quebec-based BEMAG Transformers to open a U.S. facility in St. Albans to manufacture dry-type transformers. Final approval of up to $692,854 was given to BioTek Instruments, Inc., a Vermont company that makes laboratory instrumentation and software, for a potential expansion in Winooski.

Governor Unveils New Name for the Food Stamp Program; Kicks Off Implementation of New Eligibility Criteria
30,000 Additional Households May be Eligible for "3Squares VT" Benefits
Berlin, VT- In a kick-off event to mark the roll-out of the Governor's initiative to expand program eligibility, Governor Jim Douglas, has unveiled a new name for Vermont's enahnced Food Stamp Program; beginning today, the program will be known as 3Squares VT.

Week Ending December 20, 2008
There were 1,540 new regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance last week, an increase of 315 from the week before. Altogether 12,384 new and continuing claims were filed, 975 more than a week ago and 3,678 more than a year earlier. In addition, the Vermont Department of Labor processed 2,641 claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008, an increase of 61 from last week.
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

Chris Barbieri has been named Interim President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Effective on January 1, 2009, he will succeed Duane Marsh, who left to become Executive Director of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association. Chris Barbieri will remain in this position until a full-time replacement is hired.
Barbieri stated, "I'm delighted to step in as Interim President. I look forward to working with our professional staff and volunteer leadership in meeting the many challenges facing Vermont's business community."
In 2003, Barbieri stepped down as President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce to head up the Asia Division with direct supervision of the Vermont Chamber's international trade offices in Shanghai, China and Taipei, Taiwan. During his tenure as Director of the Asia Division, Barbieri worked to improve Vermont's visibility within China and Taiwan and positioned the state as a place to do business and visit.

Today announced that AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets will add nearly 75 new jobs in Vermont as a result of its completed acquisition of the Vermont assets of Rural Cellular Communications, a provider of rural and suburban wireless communications services doing business in Vermont under the Unicel brand.
The two companies have a long-standing roaming relationship, and AT&T Mobility is committed to a smooth transition for its customers and employees. Part of this transition includes additional staffing and network support in the state. Candidates interested in a career with AT&T Mobility are invited to apply online. Positions include (but are not limited to) wireless sales and sales management.

Berlin, Vt -- The medical staff and administration of Central Vermont Medical Center distributed one 12 lb (approx. weight) turkey to every full time, part time and per diem employee of CVMC, in appreciation for their hard work throughout the year. "We appreciate the great care they provide our patients and residents, "said Dr. Cove, president of the medical staff.
Numerous employees chose to donate their turkeys to the Vermont Food Bank. "This generous gesture is typical of our staff," said Judy Tarr, CVMC president & CEO. "They have dedicated their lives to working in a caring profession."

Ten thousand pairs of top quality merino wool socks will find their way to needy Vermont youngsters this week thanks to the joint efforts of a charitable foundation affiliated with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, a Northfield sock maker, and the state's community action agencies.
Governor James Douglas joined representatives of Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Cabot Hosiery Mills, Inc. at a Monday news conference at the Northfield sock maker's factory to announce the initiative. Douglas praised the Blue Socks for Kids project as an excellent example of private Vermont organizations working together to help their neighbors during difficult economic times.

Downtown Burlington's cooperative grocery store, announces three new members to its Board of Directors: Ann Ramsay, Susan Munkres, and Wayne Warnken. The new Board of Directors will begin their three-year terms on January 1.
Ramsay, a nurse and acupuncturist, has been a Co-op member for the past three years and was also a member many years ago when the Co-op was located on Archibald Street. Ramsay is also an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Nursing at the University of Vermont where she teaches several courses in Chinese Medicine.
Munkres has been involved in organic gardening, CSA's, farmers' markets, and co-ops for over 20 years, but most recently lived in the deep South where alternatives to the conventional food system were few and far between. She also teaches about food systems to high school and college students.

After hearing the testimony of those who would be affected by the Douglas Administration's proposed rescissions, the Joint Fiscal Committee determined that the state cannot solve its budget shortfall by disproportionately placing the burden on the backs of the most vulnerable Vermonters. Instead Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin and Representative Shap Smith worked with members of the Joint Fiscal Committee to craft a counter-proposal that better serves Vermonters.
The Joint Fiscal Committee recommended and approved its counter-proposal to reduce the severe impact of its rescissions on the mental health community, working parents, and small businesses.

The Vermont Department of Labor announced today that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November 2008 was 5.7 percent, up five-tenths of a point from the revised October rate and up 1.9 points from a year ago.
"The nation's economic slowdown is showing up in more sectors of Vermont's labor market" said Patricia Moulton Powden, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Labor. "Bright spots remain in Education & Health services as well as Professional & Business services which continue to show annual growth."
Job Growth

Over 500 workers continued to work to restore power to the last 300 CVPS customers in Windham County Thursday morning.
"We made good progress Wednesday, and with the light so visible at the end of the tunnel, we're giving it all we've got yet again today," said spokeswoman Christine Rivers. "Each repair is still coming slow, as crews continue to spend hours to restore power one or two customers at a time, but we expect every customer outage we are aware of to be restored by late tonight. Thus we encourage customers still without power to call 1-800-451-2877."
At daybreak Thursday, more than 75 contract lines crews were working with 40 CVPS line crews, 50 tree crews and hundreds of support staff to wrap up the $3 million restoration effort that began Friday.