Current News
by tim
Montpelier, VT - Cambium Group, LLC, a leading web site development firm specializing in innovative web site designs and content management systems announced the launch of a new web site today for Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU), headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. The web site, www.lgfcu.org is the end result of an enormous team effort between the credit union and Cambium Group.
The main objective for the completely renovated site is to provide more information on LGFCU products and services in a more user-friendly manner for their self-service oriented members. Cambium Group and LGFCU worked closely over several months to develop a web site that not only provides extensive information on LGFCU, but also highlights LGFCUs members.
by tim
CVEDC AWARDS PRESENTED AT 27TH ANNUAL MEETING
Onion River Sports, a Montpelier and internet based company was recently awarded the Central Vermont Economic Development Corporations Small Business of the Year Award. Business owner Andrew Brewer accepted the award from former CVEDC President, Francis Topper McFaun. McFaun praised the company for their growth and community involvement. Past recipients of the award include L&D Safety Markings, Capitol Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, Granite Industries of VT, Connor Contracting, Small Dog Electronics, and Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks.
by tim
Local business executive honors his alma mater with another major gift
Richard Tarrant, chairman of IDX, makes $1 million gift to Saint Michael's
College
A legend in the Vermont business world, Richard Tarrant has led his
medical software firm IDX Corporation to heights of success, and all the
while he has given back to the local community, including to his alma
mater Saint Michael's College. He announced recently his plan to give a
gift of $1 million to the college to fund student scholarships.
The liberal arts residential Catholic college located in Colchester, two
miles from Burlington, lured Tarrant to Vermont to play basketball and
attend college in the 1960s. And he has been an active civic leader and
businessman in the area ever since, leading IDX to become a major
worldwide publicly traded company with some 2,100 employees and reported
revenues of $399 million in 2003.
by tim
MVP Health Care first Vermont insurer to offer physicians financial
incentives for meeting quality of care goals
(Williston, VT) -- MVP Health Care announced today that it is the first
health insurer in Vermont to establish a "Pay for Performance" program
that offers physicians a financial incentive for meeting a set of
pre-determined quality of care measures.
by tim
Windsor, VT Seldon Laboratories, LLC, has announced that it had been selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to receive a Phase II contract award under the agencys Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Funding for these research projects may be up to $600,000 for a two-year performance period. Contract negotiations are now underway.
Seldon has developed a fused carbon nanotube material that purifies water without heat, chemicals, electricity, contact time, or significant pressure. In Phase I of its work with NASA, Seldon demonstrated that its technology could reliably clean large quantities of contaminated water. In the Phase II project, Seldon will develop a prototype purification unit suitable for use in spacecraft.
According to NASA, 297 Phase II proposals were submitted this year and just 125 were selected. Seldon is the only Vermont-based company to receive a 2004 Phase II contract.
by tim
VERMONT FAMILIES NOW ELIGIBLE FOR DISCOUNTS ON AT-HOME WEIGHT LOSS SERVICES
Berlin -- Easy, at-home weight loss services are now available to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont members and their families, company officials have announced.
The states largest health plan will include a popular Jenny Craig® program in its new BlueExtras non-benefit discount program. BlueExtras offers discounts on services not normally covered by health insurance benefits to members and their families, even if family members are not enrolled in the health plan.
Jenny Direct offers personal, one-on-one support through convenient and private weekly phone consultations. Jenny Direct is based on the three factors of healthy eating: balance, variety and moderation. The program delivers healthy, delicious balanced meals selected from more than 75 menu items to the participants door.
by tim
Burlington Airport passenger traffic hit record high this summer
Passenger traffic at Burlington International Airport set back-to-back all-time highs in July and August. Julys record of 59,030 was quickly outdistanced the next month when August numbers reached 65,264. Augusts total surpassed August 2003 by 22 percent. In its first full month in service at Burlington International, Independence Air contributed almost 5,000 to those record numbers.
The two months put the airport in a position for an overall record year. Numbers equal dollars, as part of each outbound ticket supports the passenger facilities fund, which helps pay for the airport expansion. The airport also receives money from the Federal Airport Trust relating to the number of annual passengers. That money goes toward capital improvements.
by tim
Twincraft Soap has announced that Larry Litke, chief operating officer, has joined Peter and Richard Asch as a shareholder of Twincraft, the Winooski-based specialty soap maker.
by tim
ESSEX JUNCTION - The 83rd annual Champlain Valley Fair had one its best seasons ever with 299,168 people - about 1,500 more than 2003 - coming through the gates during the annual 10-day fair, held Aug. 28 to Sept. 6. The slight increase in attendance was due, in part, to enjoying one of the Vermont summers longest stretches of sunny weather during the final week of the fair. From an informal survey of license plates on the grounds, visitors from 41 states and several Canadian provinces attended the fair.
From the standpoint of operations and quality, this was an outstanding fair, said David F. Grimm, general manager of the Exposition. We had excellent diversity in our grandstand which accounted for a 15% improvement over 2003. We received many positive comments about the cleanliness of our grounds, the variety of entertainment and the improvements we added this year.
by tim
$1.8 MILLION IN FINANCING COMMITMENTS
APPROVED BY VEDA BOARD
Grafton, VT Commercial, technology and agricultural development projects were approved for $1.8 million in financing assistance by the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) Board of Directors at their monthly meeting.
We are pleased to be able to assist in these projects, said Jo Bradley, Chief Executive Officer of VEDA. The outcomes of these investments will be stronger business, technology, and farm enterprises with an increased capacity for future growth.
Projects approved were:
by tim
VERMONT ECLIPSES 700 LICENSE MARK FOR CAPTIVES
Brisk Pace Continues for 2004
MONTPELIER - Helmerich & Payne Corporation has established Vermont's 700th
captive insurance company, according to the Vermont Department of Banking,
Insurance and Health Care Administration (BISHCA).
"The key factor in our selection of a captive domicile was the dedication
the state had to the success of its captive industry," said Hans
Helmerich, President, Helmerich & Payne, Inc., and White Eagle Assurance
Company. "Progressive leadership and forward thinking regulation over many
years has made Vermont a leading captive domicile, exemplifying their
commitment to excellence."
Vermont began licensing captive insurance companies in 1981. A testament
to the experience of Vermont's captive officials is that during both
Deputy Commissioner Len Crouse and Director of Captive Insurance Derick
by tim
EPA PROPOSES TO ADD
COMMERCE STREET PLUME IN WILLISTON
TO NATIONAL SUPERFUND LIST
JEFFORDS CITES LACK OF FUNDING