Current News

BURLINGTON, VT - The Vermont Grocers' Association has re-elected Bill MacDonald of the Waits River General Store as Chairman. Mr. MacDonald operates a family owned market in Topsham, VT along with his wife, Donna. Also re-elected were Darcy Nutter of Price Chopper Supermarkets as Vice Chairman and Dwight LaFountain of Jiffy Mart Stores as Secretary-Treasurer. Bill is the Moderator for both the town of Topsham and the Unified School District-#36 and is a trustee of the local volunteer fire department. He served as the business manager for the Valley Health Center as it transformed from an independent health care provider into part of the Little Rivers FQHC.

Vermont Hosts National 25 x '25 Conference

Panel discussion to focus on renewable energy efforts
SHELBURNE- Governor Jim Douglas, Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie and national representatives of the 25 x '25 Alliance will host a panel discussion of renewable energy efforts in Vermont and New England on Tuesday, September 30, from 2 to 5:30 p.m., at the Shelburne Farms Coach Barn.

Burton Snowboards Brings The Stash to Killington Resort in Vermont
Burlington, VT (September 29, 2008) - Burton Snowboards and Killington Resort has announced plans to build The Stash, a revolutionary resort run created by Jake Burton and Burton team riders that utilizes the natural terrain, local wood products and organic features to create the ultimate freestyle riding experience. The first run of its kind in New England and Burton's home state of Vermont, The Stash at Killington is slated to open to the public on December 19, 2008.
"Bringing the Stash to Vermont has been an objective from the start," says Jake Burton, Founder and Chairman of Burton Snowboards. "Vermont riders are all about tree riding and jibs. This will take it to the next level, giving local riders a chance to have that much more fun on the mountain."

Lake Champlain Land Trust Earns National Recognition

Gretchen Maginnis was named assistant manager of the Barre branch of KeyBank and Gretchen M. Havreluk was named relationship associate, retail banking, for the bank's Brattleboro branch.

Maginnis is responsible for maximizing the branch's productivity, maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction and managing the employees within the branch. Prior to joining Key, she was a certified trust and financial advisor for TD Banknorth.

Havreluk has more than 20 years experience in the financial services industry. She is responsible for providing sales solutions for deposit and loan products, customer service and ensuring compliance with operational, security and audit procedures. She is also a part of the Vermont District Key4Women team.

Vermont Receives Over $2 Million to Support At-Risk Veterans
Waterbury, VT-The Vermont Agency of Human Services (AHS) Department of Mental Health (DMH) has announced the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded Vermont a five year, $2.1 million grant to create an infrastructure project to serve veterans of all conflicts with trauma-spectrum illnesses, who are at risk or have already become involved with the criminal justice system.
"Vermont's veterans, who have so selflessly protected the liberties we all enjoy, deserve the most caring, compassionate services we can provide to them when they are in need," said Governor Jim Douglas. "Vermont has a proud tradition of providing these supports to our state's veterans, and we are truly pleased that the federal government has recognized the quality of these services through their support of this new initiative."

Welch votes against Wall Street bailout

Governor announces results of RGGI auction: Vermont earns $620,000 in first quarterly sale
Total earnings could exceed $3 million in first year; Funds used to reduce energy bills and create 'green' jobs
MONTPELIER - (Septeber 29, 2008) Governor Jim Douglas today released the Vermont results of the first auction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission allowances in North America, saying Vermont sold all its 202,000 allowances at a clearing price of $3.07 per allowance.
"This is outstanding news for Vermont," the Governor said. "This will help us create more and better paying green tech jobs, lower Vermonters' energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
Vermont will auction 1.2 million carbon allowances each year, and at current prices, could earn almost $3.7 million annually to fund energy efficiency and green economy jobs.

Vermont Could Receive Over $25 Million in Home Heating Funds
Waterbury, Vt.-Governor Jim Douglas praised the U.S. House of Representatives for their historic vote on September 25, 2008, to fully fund the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) at $5.1 billion, the maximum funding level authorized for fiscal year 2009.
Governor Douglas said the LIHEAP provision was included in the House-passed version of a Continuing Resolution which would fund the vast majority of government programs at fiscal year 2008 levels through March 2009.

Welch votes to expand tax incentives for renewable energy

Washington, DC - Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) supported and the U.S. House passed legislation expanding tax incentives to foster the development of new renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The Senate is expected to take up the bill in the coming days.
The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act, H.R. 7060, extends and expands tax incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency, helping retain and create thousands of green jobs and foster innovation and business investment.

The incentives are paid for by closing loopholes that allow corporations and executives to avoid U.S. taxes by shipping jobs and investment overseas and curtailing unnecessary tax subsidies for big, multinational oil and gas companies.

Bennington Designates Growth Center
Designation Will Help Concentrate Growth, Provide Incentives
MONTPELIER - The Town of Bennington has become the second community in Vermont to have a Growth Center designated, a move that will provide incentives to concentrate development in and around its downtown area.
On Monday the Vermont Downtown Development Board voted to approve Bennington's Growth Center Designation for an area stretching from Northside Drive east to the Shields Industrial Park, south to the edge of proposed Bennington Bypass, and westward to the to the Southwestern Regional Medical Center.
"Bennington did a great job with this application," said Kevin Dorn, Chairman of the Downtown Board and Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development. "The Town is adding jobs and housing, and the growth center will be able to host a majority of that growth within the area that is already settled."

Vermont specialty wood products manufacturer Classic Designs by Matthew Burak continues to grow at a double digit pace, despite overall weakness in the housing market.
The company manufactures high-quality turned columns for kitchen and bath cabinetmakers. Company sales have grown at an annual rate of 12% over the last 20 months. Internet sales from the companys website, www.tablelegs.com have grown 61% over the same period last year.