Current News
by tim
Vermont falls in Forbes' "The Best States for Business" rank
Vermont fell to 36th in the Forbes "The Best States for Business" rankings. Last year Vermont was 32nd. Once again, Virginia was first and West Virginia was last. Vermont tied with Massachusetts, one place ahead of New York. New Hampshire was the highest New England state, falling six spots to 20.
Vermont ranked highest in "Quality of Life" (10) and "Labor" (12) and lowest in "Growth Prospects" (44) and "Business Costs" (43). The other two categories were "Regulatory Environment" (33) and "Business Climate" (31).
The table with state ranks can be found at Forbes Rank.
by tim
Governor Douglas and CONEG Urge President to Release Contingency LIHEAP Funds Immediately
Waterbury (August 5, 2008) - The Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG), chaired by Governor Jim Douglas, today urged the President to release the remaining $120 million in contingency funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The Governors had also voiced their support for Senator Bernie Sanders' (I-VT) efforts to provide an additional $2.73 billion in FY2008 funding for LIHEAP in regular program and contingency funding; and now say the prompt release of the remaining contingency funding is critical to ensuring states-particularly those in the Northeast-can adequately prepare for the fall heating season.
by tim
$1.5 MILLION AWARDED FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAM
Montpelier, Vermont - The Vermont Department of Public Service (DPS) has awarded the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) a two-year contract to administer the Vermont Small-Scale Renewable Energy Program following a competitive bidding process, the Douglas administration announced.
Governor Douglas said nearly $1.5 million will be available to Vermonters to support photovoltaic, solar hot water, wind installations and hydropower stations.
"This important program is helping us to further diversify our energy portfolio and reduce the need for more expensive oil and other fossil fuels by helping individuals, businesses, farms, schools, and municipalities install solar, wind or hydropower systems," Governor Douglas said. "And we've put an emphasis on helping schools, local governments and low-income multi-family housing buildings reduce their energy costs using these innovative renewable sources."
by tim
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2008 Third Quarter Results
- Success of Keurig single-cup brewing system and K-Cups drives strong sales and earnings growth -
WATERBURY, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., (NASDAQ: GMCR) has announced its fiscal 2008 third quarter results for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2008.
Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 were up 43.3% to $118.1 million as compared to $82.4 million reported in the third quarter of fiscal 2007. During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, approximately 153,000 Keurig brewers were shipped, up 61% from the 95,000 Keurig brewers shipped during the third quarter of fiscal 2007. The Green Mountain Coffee segment shipped over 134 million K-Cup portion packs, which was 49% more than the year-ago quarter.
by tim
Green Mountain Coffee to Add Manufacturing Facility in Knox County, Tennessee
WATERBURY, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR), has announced it has chosen Knox County, Tennessee as the future home of a new manufacturing and distribution facility for the Green Mountain Coffee segment. The Company has closed on the purchase of a 334,000 square foot building on a 31 acre parcel of land in Knox County for approximately $10.4 million. The new site will support the brand's national expansion and continued growth in the single-cup business.
by tim
PSB approves innovative CVPS renewable plans
by tim
VERMONT CAPTIVE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION TO HOLD LARGEST CAPTIVE INSURANCE CONFERENCE IN THE WORLD
by tim
Vermont's road and bridge conditions have been under fire for the past few years, however the Reason Foundation's study may tell another story. The Reason Foundation has been conducting surveys on all state owned interstates and highways since 1984. This year Vermont ranked 30th up from 37th last year. The Reason Foundation ranks states based on categories including traffic fatalities, congestion, pavement condition, bridge condition, highway maintenance costs, and administrative costs.
Despite recent budget problems, VTrans recently found out that it must cut $8 million from its budget, Vermont road conditions appear to be steadily improving. However a closer look reveals a little more. While Vermont ranks low for number of fatalities it ranks 40th in conditions of rural roads and 44th in deficient bridges. So though it appears some things are improving there is still quite a bit of work to be done.
For more information about the entire study browse here
by tim
South Burlington, Vt. - (July 31, 2008) - The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 300 has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for President of the United States.
The 1,200-member labor union represents public and private sector employees throughout Vermont. IBEW Local 300 has initiated an aggressive internal political action campaign to involve its constituency in the electoral process.
"After eight years of the anti-worker Bush Administration, Sen. Obama is the clear choice to lead our wonderful country in the right direction," said IBEW Local 300 Business Manager Jeffrey Wimette. "It is no mistake that Sen. Obama earned a 98 percent lifetime rating from the AFL-CIO for his unwavering support of working families. He is the lone major party presidential candidate that will fight for good wages, quality healthcare, secure retirement, fair taxation, responsible trade and the freedom to form unions."
by tim
Christine Hart and Thomas Weaver Elected as Chair and
Vice-Chair of Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board has elected Christine H. Hart of Brattleboro to serve as chair and Thomas G. Weaver of Essex Junction as vice chair. The board is an independent, state-supported agency established in 1987 to provide funding for affordable housing and conservation of agricultural and recreational land, natural areas and historic properties.
by tim
BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF VERMONT ANNOUNCES THAT
DENNIS CAHILL HAS BEEN HIRED AS DIRECTOR OF SALES AND SERVICE
Berlin, VT Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont this week announced the appointment of Dennis W. Cahill to the position of Director of Sales and Service.
Cahill has more than 25 years of experience in progressively responsible positions in health insurance sales and account management, mostly with Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in New England. He has served as vice president of sales for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire, and was most recently vice president of sales and account management for Fallon Community Health Plan in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Cahill has an undergraduate degree in business from Babson College and a graduate degree in business administration from the University of Hartford.
by tim
Mary Powell, incoming CEO of Green Mountain Power, announced on Monday the company's plan to aggressively develop renewable resources to diversify the portfolio of energy sources.
GMP's strategy is to establish "green energy zones," wherein Vermont companies will have priority in developing renewable energy sources, and to lessen Vermont's dependence on Vermont Yankee nuclear power while "ramping up" in-state renewable generation. Powell said a key component is geo-political negotiations with Hydro Quebec, a provider of hydropower to GMP. Also important is the re-licensing of Vermont Yankee, whose contract will expire in 2012, so that state can develop solid infrastructure to support other sources of renewable energy instead of going cold turkey.