Current News

Champlain College advances in 'Best Colleges' ranking
BURLINGTON, Vt. (Aug. 26, 2008) - Champlain College has advanced to 12th place, up seven places from 19th, in the latest ranking in the 2009 Americas Best Colleges, published by U.S. News & World Report.
According to America's Best Colleges, Champlain ranks 12th in the listing of 'Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the North' which includes all the New England states, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania. There are 320 colleges in four regional categories of institutions that focus on undergraduate education and offer a range of degree programs in the liberal arts and professional fields.

Champlain College tied with two other schools, Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Seton Hall University in Pennsylvania. Cooper Union in New York was ranked number one in the North.

In Search of Excellence: The Vermont Way
Tom Peters is guest speaker at the 170th VHS Annual Meeting, September 13, 2008
MONTPELIER: The Vermont Historical Society welcomes Tom Peters as the keynote speaker at the 170th Annual Meeting at the Pavilion Building in Montpelier, September 13, 11:30 am. Admission is free, open to public. The Pavilion building is located next to the State House.
A celebrated "quality guru" of business management, Peters has lived in Vermont for the last 25 years, and has a passion for history. Tom's presentations are marked not only by his stunning breadth of interests and skill at tailoring his message to suit the needs of widely diverse audiences, but in particular by the contagious passion and energy he brings to his topic.

Vermont Small Business Development Center names Linda Rossi State Star
VtSBDC State Director, Lenae Quillen-Blume, announced that Linda Rossi has been selected as the 2008 State Star of Vermont Small Business Development Center.
Linda Rossi, is the Assistant State Director for VtSBDC and responsible for state-wide marketing and public relations as well as strategic projects.
"I am pleased to make this announcement and to recognize Linda for extraordinary contributions throughout Vermont". Linda was chosen for her passion for the organization, her professional presence, and her unsurpassed respect and support for all of her VtSBDC associates. She has a strong commitment to VtSBDC and its strategic plan, execution and as well as branding of the organization as we move into the future.

Vermont Tourism Extends Annual 'Vermont Fuels Your Vacation' Promotion Through Foliage Season
MONTPELIER, Vt. - The Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing is extending its popular fuel giveaway promotion through the fall foliage season to encourage visitors and Vermonters to explore the state.
"Vermont Fuels Your Vacation," an annual summer promotion featuring a $100 gas card giveaway every week, will be offered through the foliage season with the final winner selected on Monday, Oct. 27. Vermont residents and non-residents can register to win at www.VermontVacation.com/fuel and gas cards can be used at participating gas stations in Vermont.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is Offering Free Vaccine DVD's

Berlin, VT Are you concerned about the safety of vaccines?

Have you decided not to get your child a particular vaccine because you worry about the safety of immunizations? Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) would like to send you a free DVD about vaccines. The DVD contains two videos produced by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia:

"Vaccines and Your Baby answers questions like, What are vaccines?, How do vaccines work?, What are the chances that my child will get one of the diseases that vaccines prevent?, and Are vaccines safe for my baby?

"Vaccines: Separating Fact from Fear reinforces the safety of vaccines and discusses why they have been so instrumental in saving the lives of millions of children.

To order a free copy, visit the BCBSVT website at www.bcbsvt.com/freevideo or call 802.371.3468.

Similar to many Vermont businesses, BioTek Instruments, Inc. faces significant business constraints including aggressive international competition, increasing material and labor costs as well as a shortage of adequate labor. However these issues have not kept BioTek from growing and becoming successful. While attempting to address these issues, BioTek has also looked internally to continuously improve its operations so that it can pursue world class performance for its world class products.

Saint Michael's moves up in US News Best Liberal Arts Colleges category
(August 22, 2008) Saint Michael's College is ranked 104th in the Best Liberal Arts Colleges category of the US News popular, but controversial, rankings of American colleges and universities.
Having moved last year from Northern Regional Masters University to National Liberal Arts College category,
Saint Michael's entered a new, more competitive category of colleges.

Vermont Aerospace & Aviation Association Open House at GE Aviation Rutland August 28
On Thursday, August 28, the Vermont Aerospace & Aviation Association (VAAA), a division of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, will host an open house at the GE Aviation Rutland facility in North Clarendon. The VAAA is an association of businesses within Vermonts aviation sector that generates almost two billion dollars a year for the Vermont economy.
The event will be held from 3:00 PM 5:00 PM. Please join members of the VAAA for informative presentations and a networking reception with your industry peers. Dan Ferman of GE Aviation Rutland will be a presenter. Dan Wolfe of Cape Air and Guy Rouelle of the Agency of Transportation will also provide exciting updates about the aviation industry. Facility tours and a networking reception will complete this can't miss event for anyone interested in aviation and aerospace in Vermont.

Shelburne, VT-August 21, 2008- Kilawatt Technologies is pleased to announce that the company has joined the U.S. Green Building Council. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is an international non-profit organization working to advance buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. USGBCs vision is to promote the Triple Bottom Line and pursues solutions that strengthen a healthy and dynamic balance between environmental, social and economic prosperity.

Week Ending August 16, 2008
There were 498 new regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance last week, a decrease of 215 from the week before. Altogether 6,842 new and continuing claims were filed, 339 less than a week ago and 1,578 more than a year earlier. In addition, the Department processed 1,838 claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008, a decrease of 472 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

Union Bankshares, Inc Plans Move to The NASDAQ Stock Market
Morrisville, VT - (8/21/2008) Union Bankshares, Inc. announced today that its board of directors has approved the voluntary transfer of the listing of the Company's common stock from the American Stock Exchange ("AMEX") to The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC(r). The Company's trading symbol "UNB" will remain unchanged. The Company anticipates that its shares will begin to trade on NASDAQ Global Market effective September 4, 2008. Until then, the shares will continue to trade on AMEX.

Shelburne, VT-August 7, 2008- Kilawatt Technologies is pleased to announce that the information software company has signed an agreement with Dover Saddlery, Inc. to reduce energy and lower greenhouse gases in the company's Littleton, Massachusetts facility. Over the coming months, Kilawatt Technologies will work with Dover Saddlery to recognize opportunities to cut energy consumption and demand, lower energy costs and reduce greenhouse gases in the company's 100,000 square foot warehouse facility.