Current News

Growing asicNorth Chooses Arizona
Semiconductor design service provider asicNorth of South Burlington has ended its global search, choosing Arizona to expand its operations. The company is currently hiring experienced engineers, with plans to grow its new Tempe, AZ, operation over the next few years.
"asicNorth is growing into new markets," said President Mike Slattery "After surveying many cities it was apparent metro-Phoenix was the best choice to provide the new business opportunities and skilled workforce needed for our expansion."
"Arizona is an ideal base for companies who need to reach out to the world," said Jan Lesher, Director of the Arizona Department of Commerce. "We are grateful asicNorth chose to locate in the state, where its presence will improve the local economy."

Snelling Center for Government Is Announces Vermont Leadership Institute Class of 2009
September 4, 2008 - - The Snelling Center for Government is pleased to announce the members of the 2009 Vermont Leadership Institute. VLI recruits Vermont's best and brightest from the private, public, and non-profit sectors, creating lasting networks to benefit Vermont. The members of this year's class include:

Vermont Organic Farmers, LLC Certifies 500th Organic Farm
Richmond - Vermont is home to over 500 organic farms and processors, and that number is growing. Vermont Organic Farmers, LLC (VOF) has announced it has certified 543 certified organic producers with over 90,400 acres in production. 2008 showed a 10% increase in the number of certified producers and processors compared with 2007. Total gross sales for certified organic producers and processors were $103,205,052, a 10% increase compared with 2007.
"This was the year of the maple tree," said Nicole Dehne, VOF Administrator. "We saw many maple producers apply for organic certification this year given the organic premium on syrup prices." The number of certified organic maple producers more than doubled in the past year, from 39 to 82.

EVENT: Central Vermont Cancer Center
Groundbreaking Ceremony
DATE: Thursday, September 4, 2008
TIME: 11 a.m.
PLACE: Central Vermont Medical Center Campus
To the left of the hospital
SCHEDULE:
11:00 a.m. Welcome & introduction of dignitaries in the audience and participants in the groundbreaking: Judy Tarr, President & CEO
11:05: Judy turns over to CVMC Board Chair John Nicholls, to say a few words about why we are building a cancer center
11:10: John introduces Dr. Alan Hartford, Section Chief, Radiation Oncology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center & Dr. Jim Wallace, Chief of Radiation Oncology at Fletcher Allen Health Care, to each say a few words about the unique partnership that made this project possible
11:20: Judy introduces Tom MacLeay, chair, president & CEO, National Life Group.
11:30: Judy introduces Senator Leahy
A few remarks by Senator Leahy

Week Ending August 30, 2008
There were 606 new regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance last week, a decrease of 251 from the week before. Altogether 7,019 new and continuing claims were filed, 206 less than a week ago and 2,057 more than a year earlier. In addition, the Department processed 1,801 claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008, a decrease of 132 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

Champlain College Class of 2012 Arrives
Orientation Weekend includes Convocation, Activities and Special Events
(Sept. 1, 2008) - The Champlain College Class of 2012 arrived Friday for an information-packed, fun-filled, four-day orientation. The incoming class of 615 students represents 28 states and eight countries. Residential move-in began Friday morning followed by a lunch for parents, students and friends. On Friday afternoon, Champlain College Provost Robin Abramson, College Vice Presidents and Champlain faculty in full academic regalia - were led in to the Convocation ceremony on Perry Hall lawn by the St. Andrews Pipe Band of Vermont.

Champlain College Dedicates Schillhammer Hall
BURLINGTON, Vt. Champlain College recently honored trustee emeritus and alumnus Richard W. Schillhammer Class of 1934 and founder of Queen City Printers (QCP), and his family, with the dedication of Schillhammer Hall.
The building, located at 109 Summit St., formerly known as East Hall, has served as a residence hall since being acquired by Champlain in 1994.
Dick has long been a respected community citizen and leader, said Champlain College President Dave Finney. For three generations, Champlain College has been entrusted with the education of the Schillhammers. In addition to Dick, his son John and daughter-in-law Ann are graduates of the College classes of 1960 and 1962, respectively. His granddaughter Shari and her husband Randy attended Champlain and earned their degrees in 1983. We are very fortunate to have the Schillhammer family as our alums and trusted friends.

Gubernatorial Appointments Made in May, June and July
Montpelier Vt.- Governor Jim Douglas has released the list of appointments made in May, June and July, 2008.
Commission on Alzheimer's Disease & Related Disorders:
Alden Launer, Greensboro
Patrice Thabault, Burlington
Vermont Aviation Advisory Council:
George Coy, Swanton
John McNerney, New Haven
Mary Paull, Newport
State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind & Visually Impaired:
Claire Bruno, Worcester
Building Bright Futures Council:
Ann Dillenbeck, Charlotte
Capital Debt Affordability Advisory Committee:
David Coates, Colchester
John Valente, Rutland
Vermont Commission on Women:
Anne McClaughry, Kirby
Marion Milne, Washington

RICHARD SARGENT AND JIM LOOP, EACH IN THEIR FORTIETH YEAR WITH THE COMPANY, WILL PLACE IN POSITION THE FIRST PIECE OF THE LARGEST CASTING MACHINE EVER MANUFACTURED BY HAZELETT STRIP-CASTING CORPORATION
Richard Sargent and Jim Loop will place in position the first piece of the new casting machine at a noontime celebration on Thursday, September 4 at the Hazelett factory in Colchester, Vermont. The occasion will mark the fortieth anniversary of their employment with Hazelett and also begin the manufacture of a 120-ton casting machine, the largest ever produced by the company in its fifty-two year history.
The two started just days apart forty years ago.
Richard Sargent was hired by his neighbor, Bill Hazelett, founder of Hazelett Strip-Casting. Richard and Hazelett Strip-Casting have grown up together in the Malletts Bay area of Colchester.

Vermont Agriculture Hall of Fame Awards Announced
WHAT: 6th Annual Vermont Agriculture Hall of Fame Awards Brunch
The Agriculture Hall of Fame Awards honor outstanding farmers, industry supporters and others dedicated to the success of our agricultural community. Farming is an integral part of the fabric and history of Vermont and these individuals are being honored for their commitment to promoting the economic and environmental stability of agriculture.
This year's recipients are:
Senator Patrick Leahy
Dean Merrill
Senator Justin Smith Morrill
Philip K. Grime
WHEN: Sunday, August 31, 2008 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction, Vermont

Expo North Building

Green Mountain Coffee Reveals New Packaging for Its 10- & 12-Ounce Coffees

WATERBURY, Vt. (August 28, 2008) (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Green Mountain Coffee, the coffee division of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR), today unveiled new, unique packaging for its 10-ounce and 12-ounce coffee lines including Signature, Fair Trade Organic, Flavored and Seasonal coffees. This completes the packaging makeover that began with roll-outs of the Newman's Own(r) Organics and Single Origin lines of coffee. The redesigned packaging will start to appear on store shelves in late August.

Route 2 Moretown/Middlesex Bridge Now Open
MONTPELIER (August 28, 2008) The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) today opened a one-lane temporary bridge along Route 2 that spans the Winooski River and connects the towns of Middlesex and Moretown.
The temporary bridge was installed following the May 30 closure of an 80-year-old truss bridge that was deemed unsafe after an inspection. Transportation crews removed the old bridge, and in its place erected a one-lane temporary bridge that will remain in place until a new, permanent bridge can be constructed.
Because the temporary bridge is only one lane, a traffic light was installed to safely allow traffic flow in both directions. The bridge officially opened to traffic at 12:30 p.m.
The temporary bridge, originally scheduled to open on Labor Day, was opened to traffic four days early.