Current News
by tim
Jobless rate falls to lowest level in nation
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics has ranked Vermont's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.1 percent the lowest in the country.
One month ago, the state's unemployment rate was third lowest. Governor Douglas said this is another indication that Vermont's hard work and commitment to economic development and job creation is paying off.
The Department of Employment and Training has announced a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.1 percent for Vermont in October, down two tenths of a point from the previous month. The national unemployment rate was 5.5 percent, up one tenth of a point from the prior month.
Unemployment rates for Vermonts 13 labor market areas ranged from 1.4 percent in Hartford, to 4.3 percent in Enosburg. Labor market area rates are not seasonally adjusted; for comparison, the unadjusted rate for Vermont was 2.7 percent.
by tim
Shelburne, VT Rachel Lee, President of Armistead Caregiver Services, has been presented a $20,000.00 grant from the Eileen Fisher Company. The award to Armistead, one of five $20,000.00 Eileen Fisher Grants, was the only award given to a for-profit business. Armistead was singled out from over 250 other for-profit applicants nationally. The grant, for growth and development, will aid Armistead in service expansion to Addison and Franklin Counties. Armistead provides non-medical caregiver services to the elderly and adults with disabilities.
I was really impressed that Eileen Fisher chose to award money to a for-profit business and, specifically, a business owned by a woman, says Lee. Ms. Fisher, President and owner of a successful womens clothing line, developed the grants as a means of promoting the growth of fledgling businesses and non-profit organizations that promote the health, independence and empowerment of women.
by tim
UVM student center to be named after late Dudley Davis
The University of Vermont's new student center, scheduled for ground breaking next Spring, will be named after the late Dudley H Davis, thanks to a generous multi-million dollar gift from his family. Davis died November 29th, shortly after the dedication was announced.
The $70 million Dudley H Davis Center, approved in September by the university's Board of Trustees, is the largest and most ambitious building project in the university's history and key to the success of the institution's 10-year growth and pursuit of academic excellence strategy.
The gift comes in the form of a major challenge to friends and corporations from Mr. Davis' family. Once fully subscribed, this will provide the requisite $7 million to name the student center and the attached theater in honor of Dudley H. Davis. To date, $6 million has already been raised.
by tim
Armistead Caregiver Services is pleased to announce that Beryl Champagne, a long-time Armistead Caregiver, is now Armisteads new Job Trainer. Beryl will be overseeing and conducting all aspects of caregiver training for both new and existing clients and will be managing all client and caregiver day-to-day issues and concerns regarding care.
In addition to her extensive caregiving career, Beryl has served as a case manager and owned and operated her own restaurant and motel in Swanton for 15 years.
Armistead is a premier caregiver service serving Northwestern Vermont since 1999. Armistead provides assistance to the elderly and adults with disabilities in homes and other settings. Services include personal care and bathing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation and errands, medication reminders and more.
by tim
LandVest Opens Manchester Center, Vermont Office
Manchester Center, VT LandVest, Inc., located at 39 Bonnet Street in Manchester Center, specializes in the marketing of luxury homes, land, and estates. With offices throughout the Northeast, including professionals in real estate sales, consulting and appraisal, land planning, forestry services, graphics, advertising, business and finance, LandVest has become the premier advisor and problem solver for owners of unique properties.
Robert McCafferty, Senior Project Manager and Principle Broker, has held a Vermont Brokers license since 1965 and, in addition, has 23 years of corporate and commercial real estate experience in New Jersey. Howard McNally, Project Manager and sales associate, recently joined the LandVest team after serving as COO of Consumer Services for AT&T, adding an in-depth knowledge of consumer communications and marketing to the team.
by tim
Robert and Holly Miller become Champlain Colleges top lifetime benefactors
BURLINGTON, Vt.--Champlain College officials announced today that Robert and Holly Miller have become the leading lifetime benefactors of the College. This week, the Burlington couple increased their Power of Three capital campaign pledge to $2.2 million to add their support to the Colleges first endowed chair, a $1 million academic fund created to honor retiring President Roger H. Perry. Over the past dozen years, the Millers have donated $3.75 million to the private, career-oriented college.
We support Champlain College to help it move to ever higher levels of excellence and innovation, said Holly Miller, who has served on Champlains board of trustees for 12 years. We also wanted to honor Roger Perrys extraordinary leadership by contributing to the endowed chair.
by tim
Brattleboro Firm Well Represented at National Green Building Conference
Brattleboro-based BuildingGreen, Inc. was well represented at the 2004 Greenbuild Conference held November 10-12 in Portland, Oregon. Seven employees of the company, which publishes the highly respected monthly newsletter Environmental Building News, made the trek to the U.S. Green Building Councils largest-ever national gathering, attended by more than 6,000 people from throughout North America and dozens of other countries.
BuildingGreen sponsored a kick-off party for more than 300 friends and associates at the Ecotrust building, the nations first historic building to be certified through the USGBCs LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system.
by tim
BURLINGTON, VT-Thomas W. Crapo, Vice President of Operations for Vermont Federal Credit Union (VTFCU), has been elected to the Board of Directors of Onion River Cooperative for a 3-year term.
Tom has over 20 years of combined management experience with co-operative institutions, including; operations, lending, finance, compliance and policy. Tom holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Vermont and is currently enrolled in the Master of Science Administration program at St. Michaels College.
WHY VERMONT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION:
VTFCU is a $140 million plus financial institution, currently serving over 21,000 members. We provide membership to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Chittenden, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Franklin, Washington, or Addison Counties in Vermont.
###
by tim
Roundtable Releases Fourth Quarter, 2004 CEO Economic Outlook Survey
Results
So. Burlington, VT - Results from the Vermont Business
Roundtable's (Roundtable) Fourth Quarter, 2004 CEO Economic Outlook
Survey, show that over three quarters of responding CEOs are expecting
increases in company sales in the coming six months, which is a six
percent increase over the last quarter. Projections for capital spending
are down by a similar percentage and employment levels are flat when
compared to the previous quarter.
George Chandler, President & CEO of Hubbardton Forge in
Castleton and Jim Crook, CEO of IDX Systems Corporation in Burlington are
members of the Roundtable. When asked to comment on his CEO Economic
Outlook Survey responses, George Chandler stated that, "There appears to
be steady, though modest growth in the design and home furnishings
by tim
The Hammerhead sled is a re-design of the traditional snow sled i.e. the famous Flexible Flyer. This sled was brought into the 21st century using top-notch styling while performance and safety were priorities for the design team. Materials include aircraft-grade (6063) aluminum frame, suspension fabric seating and high density polyethylene for extremely fast skis. The sled weighs in at 8.7 lbs with skis on- making it the lightest of any performance sled. This sled also features precise steering and suspension. The controllability afforded by this new steering, plus the Hammerheads soft curves and optional sit up position make the Hammerhead the safest sled on the market. It is also easily controlled in the headfirst position. The Hammerhead is easy to handle and versatile enough to for extreme mountain sledding, backyard fun, or backcountry. With its customizable quick on/off skis, the sled can handle very hard pack such as frozen granular to about 5 or more inches of powder.
by tim
Next Generation Store Locator Maps Now Available
Help Prospective Customers Find Retail Sites Easily
November 16, 2004
Maponics, LLC (www.maponics.com), experts in mapping services for marketing professionals, announced today the release of its Next Generation Store Locator Maps. Retailers with hundreds or thousands of different locations are looking for the ability to direct customers and prospects to the nearest store. High quality maps improve the visual impact of marketing pieces and help consumers feel comfortable they will be able to find the site being advertised. Maponics Next Generation Store Locator Maps, typically measuring between 2-inches and 4-inches square, are designed for use in high-volume printed customer communication vehicles, such as brochures, postcards, sale announcements, and welcome-to-the-neighborhood mailings.
by tim
OKEMO PLANS TO OPEN FOR THE SEASON ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12 WITH TOP TO
BOTTOM TERRAIN!
Ludlow, VT - The Okemo snowmaking team has been blowing snow non-stop in
preparation for opening day of the season on November 12, 2004.
Fantastic snowmaking temperatures have enabled Okemo's snowmaking team to
really powder the slopes at every opportunity. That's great news for
Okemo
skiers and riders! Okemo will have top to bottom skiing on at least 7
trails, with 4 lifts in operation to whisk skiers and riders to some great
early season snow conditions on opening day.
Skiing and riding will be available for advanced skiers and riders from
the
summit of the mountain on trails such as Count Down, Upper World Cup,
Lower
World Cup, Defiance, Buckhorn and Drop Off. Snowmaking operations are
continuing at every opportunity to open additional terrain and provide top