Current News
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Governor and Comcast to Announce Additional High-Speed Service to Vermonters
Advances Vermont's e-State Initiative
MONTPELIER, Vt.(June 20, 2008) - Governor Jim Douglas on Monday will be joined by Mary Evslin, Chair of the Vermont Telecommunications Authority, Ruth Wallman, Executive Director of the Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce and Dan Blakeman, Vice President of Comcast's Vermont System to announce Comcast's proposal to extend its network by another 300 miles in 2009 in communities previously not served by wire line providers offering high-speed cable internet, television and phone service. The focus of the proposal is located in Grand Isle County, which includes South Hero, North Hero, Grand Isle along with other Vermont communities.
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VERMONT'S JOB GROWTH REMAINS SLOW, BUT POSITIVE. UNEMPLOYMENT AT 4.9% IN MAY.
Montpelier -- The Vermont Department of Labor announced today that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2008 was 4.9 percent, up five-tenths of a point from the revised April rate of 4.4% and up 1.1 points from a year ago.
"Vermont's continued job growth is insufficient to hold down our growing unemployment rate," said Patricia Moulton Powden, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Labor. "This is to be expected in a national environment where unemployment is growing rapidly and the national economy continues to shed jobs. In addition, the seasonal transition in Vermont's labor market from April to May can be quite volatile depending on weather. This can lead to rapidly changing labor statistics. We should have a better picture of the State's labor market in the June numbers."
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Apple Hill Design~Build, Inc. proudly announces the addition of three new members to the Apple Hill Team. Pam Swatkins joined Apple Hill as a Project Manager/Estimator in late October. With over 28 years of experience in her field, Pam is able to turn an Apple Hill client's visual dream for a new home, or a home improvement project into reality. Peter Bicknell joined Apple Hill's Team in mid-January as a Lead Carpenter. Peter's 20 years of experience in our industry assures each project is performed with attention to time, detail and quality. Kelli Crapo joins the Apple Hill Team as Director of Communications and Marketing, offering over 20 years of experience in the business services arena to Apple Hill and their clients. Pam, Peter and Kelli all contribute to Apple Hill's foundation of integrity and quality and are committed to assisting each Apple Hill client achieve their goal to enjoy the home of their dreams.
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Governor Douglas and Coalition of Northeastern Governors Urge Congress to Appropriate $5.1 Billion for LIHEAP in FY09
Waterbury, VT (June 18, 2008)-The Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG) has urged House leaders to support $5.1 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the FY2009 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill.
CONEG, which is chaired by Governor Jim Douglas, is requesting that the House fund the LIHEAP block grant program at the $5.1 billion level, authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, in a manner that ensures additional funding to all states so they can continue to address the needs of the most vulnerable low-income households struggling to pay increasingly expensive home energy bills.
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STATES EXPERIENCE TIGHTER FISCAL CONDITIONS AS NATIONAL ECONOMY CONTINUES DECLINE
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Middlebury, VT -- Co-operative Insurance Companies filled two openings on its management team and added a new position in information services this spring, hiring Eric Rhoades as claims manager, Bradley Fortier as director of marketing operations, and Jeff Simmons as Web application developer.
"We are pleased to welcome these gentlemen aboard," said Jim Sullivan, the company's president and CEO. "Brad and Eric both have extensive industry experience and leadership skills that will benefit not only their new workgroups, but the company as a whole. Jeff's strong technical background and direct experience with our specific technology and vendor have allowed him to hit the ground running on our most important development project."
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Twincraft Continues Their Commitment to Minimize Environmental Impact
WINOOSKI, VT - Twincraft Soap invested over $20,000 to replace the manufacturing facilities' metal halide fixtures and older technology fluorescent fixtures with energy-efficient high performance fluorescent fixtures and lamps. The investment will save Twincraft an estimated $10,000 per year in electricity costs.
"This is definitely a worthwhile investment," said Brian Towle, Senior Maintenance and Engineering Manager. "It was clear from the start this investment would pay itself off in the next few years. More importantly, we're continuing down the path we started on over a year ago in terms of looking for ways to operate more efficiently and with less environmental impact."
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Small Businesses Look for Help on Health Care Coverage
BURLINGTON, VT, June 16, 2008 - Most Vermont small businesses see it as their responsibility to provide health coverage to employees, but all are struggling with the rising cost, according to a survey report released today by AARP Vermont. AARP conducted an independent telephone survey of some 400 Vermont business owners with 50 or fewer employees. Clearly, the study exposes a group that is buried under the escalating costs of health care and being forced out of the market, while battling high energy costs and an economy in recession. The survey reveals a better understanding of what Vermont's small business owners have been experiencing due to increasing health coverage costs, their opinions surrounding the issue and whether the Catamount Health Plan would appeal to them if made available.
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Vermont Announces Annual Summer 'Vermont Fuels Your Vacation' Promotion
MONTPELIER, Vt. - Governor Jim Douglas has announced that the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing will kick off its third annual fuel-themed tourism promotion to encourage visitors and Vermonters to explore the state this summer.
"Vermont Fuels Your Vacation" is a 15-week promotion featuring a $100 gas card giveaway every week. Vermont residents and non-residents can register to win at www.VermontVacation.com/fuel and gas cards may be used at participating gas stations in Vermont. Entries will be accepted from June 16 through late September with the first gas card giveaway drawing on June 23.
"Vermont is well positioned geographically because it is within a 300-mile radius of more than 80 million people who may opt for shorter drives and closer destinations this summer," said Governor Douglas.
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SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT Matthew Cohen the owner of Pinnacle Properties, a landscape installation and maintenance services company located in South Burlington, has announced that Chad Ransom has joined the growing company. Chad brings over 10 years experience in masonry craftsmanship allowing Pinnacle Properties to add hardscape installations to its already wide range of landscaping services. The company previously offered the installation of trees, shrubs, planting beds and various other commercial and residential property maintenance services. Now, with the addition of hardscapes, the companys already diverse list of services will include patios, retaining walls, walkways, outdoor living spaces and much more.
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Vermont Employment Incentive Growth Program Audit
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June 12, 2008
Contacts: Karen Marshall, VEPC Chair (802) 343-3740
Fred Kenney (802) 828-5256
Official Statement of VEPC Board Chairwoman Karen Marshall on Auditors VEGI Report
The Auditors report is largely favorable and the Vermont Economic Progress Council generally agrees with its facts; however we would take issue with many of the conclusions reached.
Basing background growth on company specific data instead of industry average data and updating model data as it changes throughout the year, as suggested by the Auditor, are contrary to statute, unsound economic modeling, and would make the program more costly and complex to administer. Further, if implemented these recommendations would not treat each application with consistent standards of evaluation.