Current News
by tim
VERMONT UNEMPLOYMENT
Montpelier -- The Vermont Department of Labor has announced that the
seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July was 3.6 percent, up two
tenths of a percentage point from the revised June estimate. The change
from last month was not statistically significant.
Unemployment rates for Vermont's 17 labor market areas ranged from 2.0
percent in Hartford to 4.5 percent in Randolph. Labor market area rates
are not seasonally adjusted; for comparison, the unadjusted rate for
Vermont was 3.3 percent.
by tim
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Vermont Global Trade Partnership and the U.S. Department of Commerce, is leading Vermont business people to China and Taiwan. The trade mission will depart on October 28 and spend the following 12 days meeting with business and political leaders in five cities: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Taipei.
Taiwan is Vermont's second largest export destination behind Canada, with over $500 million in exports annually. China is Vermont's fourth largest export destination, with exports increasing by 200% between 2003 and 2004.
Vermont Chamber Vice President of International Trade Curtis Picard noted, People are always talking about China and Taiwan: The global giant. A booming economy. What does it mean for Vermont business? The Vermont Chamber is organizing this mission to provide access, opportunities, exposure, and tools to tackle the global market.
by tim
Earlier this month President Bush signed the 1,745-page federal energy bill into law. One part of the law extends daylight savings time by a month. Starting in 2007, Americans will turn the clocks ahead three weeks earlier in the spring (around the end of the first week in March), and we will turn the clocks back one week later in the fall (around the end of the first week in November).
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce surveyed member businesses for a seven-day period in mid-August to gauge Vermont business reaction to this anticipated change. The survey captured nearly 200 responses from businesses engaged in many different sectors. The majority (51%) of respondents are engaged in the travel and tourism industry, while another quarter represents the services/professional sector.
by tim
Community Capital of Central Vermont is one of 41 organizations nationwide to receive a Technical Assistance Award from the U.S. Department of Treasurys CDFI Fund.
CDFIs Community Development Financial Institutions are specialized organizations that respond to financial gaps in their local markets. Totaling $50,000, this grant will be used over the next two years to improve Community Capitals ability to offer flexible and affordable financing and technical assistance to new and growing businesses that do not yet have access to traditional bank financing. Specific activities include: a tri-county market assessment to identify unmet demand for alternative commercial financing, an internal organizational assessment conducted by CDFI industry leaders, board and staff training, strategic planning, and technology upgrades.
by tim
Scudder Parker Files for Governors Race
MONTPELIER, Vt. Scudder Parker, a veteran public servant who grew up on
his familys Vermont dairy farm, emerged as the leading Democratic
candidate for governor on Thursday by filing to enter the 2006 campaign.
Parker visited the Vermont Secretary of States office to submit papers
officially indicating his intention to run for governor. A formal campaign
announcement and kickoff will be scheduled in October.
A former state senator who also worked for Democratic and Republican
governors, Parker said his many years of public service and his vision for
Vermont qualify him to be the states next leader.
August in Vermont is a time for family, swimming, baseball and fairs
not necessarily politics, said Parker, 62, who lives in Montpelier with
his wife, Susan Sussman. But Vermonters should know that Im now at work
by tim
ROUNDTABLE RELEASES THIRD QUARTER, 2005
CEO ECONOMIC OUTLOOK SURVEY RESULTS
South Burlington, VT - Results from the Roundtable's Third Quarter, 2005 CEO Economic Outlook Survey, show that business executives are expecting increases in both sales and capital expenditures over the coming six months, while employment levels will remain virtually unchanged from the previous reporting period.
Chris Dutton, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power, is a member of the Vermont Business Roundtable. When asked to comment on his CEO Economic Outlook Survey responses, Dutton said, "The economy is strong in our service area. As we look ahead we expect increased sales. Additionally, the company expects to increase capital spending to make sure that our electric service is reliable, as that is what our customers value the most."
by tim
MEDIA RELEASE
August 3, 2005
Contacts:
VELCO
David Mace, Process Owner, External Communications
Phone: (802) 770-6367
Pager: (802) 742-3250
Vermont Department of Labor
Scott Meyer, Program Manager Project WorkSAFE
1-888-SAFE-YES (1-888-723-3937)
VELCO applauded for workplace safety and health efforts
For Immediate Release: Aug. 3, 2005
RUTLAND, Vt. Vermonts electric transmission utility has become the fourth Vermont company to be federally recognized for its safety efforts, the Vermont Department of Labor announced Wednesday.
The Vermont Electric Power Co., Inc., also known as VELCO, formally joined the federal Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) during a ceremony at the companys Rutland headquarters.
by tim
KEANE AND NATIONAL LIFE GROUP ACHIEVE CMM LEVEL-3 CERTIFICATION
by tim
RANDOLPH CENTER, VT -- July 25, 2005 -- The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) Fall Public Workshop Schedule is now available online and registration is open at the VMEC web site (www.vmec.org).
Some of the workshops Vermont manufacturers can attend this season are Principles of Lean Manufacturing 101, The 5S Visual System, and Office Value Stream Mapping. The workshops will be presented in various locations throughout the state. The workshops schedule is constantly being updated to meet the needs of Vermont manufacturers, so visit the web site for the most up-to-date information.
by tim
by Kevin Kelley Vermont Business Magazine The co-founder of one of Vermont's fastest growing manufacturing companies has sold the business to its top two executives.
Sonnax, a Bellow Falls automotive parts maker recently named Vermont's Exporter of the Year, changed hands for an undisclosed sum in a deal announced last week. Neil Joseph, who founded the company with his father in 1978, made the sale along with minority shareholder David Landa.
The new owners are Tommy Harmon and David Bedard, who had worked, respectively, as chief operating officer and vice president of sales and marketing. Harmon, who becomes president and CEO, had formed a 50-50 partnership with Bedard, now the company's chief operating officer.
"We really saw this as a great opportunity for my partner and me to continue growing the business," Harmon said.
by tim
Champlain Cable Corporation: Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence July 31, 2005 in Colchester Vermont.
Champlain Cable celebrates 50 years of excellence on July 31, 2005 from 1:00PM to 5:00PM, at its manufacturing facility. This is an open house for suppliers, business associates and employees past and present.
Champlain Cable has been and continues to be a successful leader in the Wire and Cable Industry and is proud to tell their story of how and why it has remained vibrant and innovative for the past 50 years. Standing the test of time Champlain Cable has been operating in the same small town in Northwestern Vermont for 50 years and under the same roof for the last 42 years.
by tim
SPIKE ADVERTISING WINS VERMONT ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS AWARD
FOR NORTHFIELD SAVINGS BANK RADIO SPOTS
Burlington--June 17,2004--Spike Advertising was recently honored by
the Vermont Association of Broadcasters for their 60-second radio
spot, "When Pigs Fly" which was produced for Northfield Savings Bank.
The spot depicts a radio exchange between an air force pilot and his
controller, wherein the pilot encounters a &flock of flying pigs. The
concept behind the campaign (running on radio, print, direct mail, and
bus boards) is to underscore that NSB donates 10% or profits to Vermont
community organizations.
"We've had a lot of fun developing story lines inspired by flying
pigs and,
there's a lot more where this came from," says Spike president, Ken
Millman. The latest spot features a cow auditioning for the role if
flying pig. (The cow states with pride that her ancestor jumped over