Current News

Governor Jim Douglas, Human Services Secretary Charles Smith, and consumer and peer advocates recently kicked-off one of the most significant reorganization of government services in more than two decades.
A year ago, the Agency of Human Services embarked on an intensive effort to transform the way it delivers services. After months of meetings, focus groups and surveys, a plan for reorganization was presented to the legislature and approved in the waning days of the session.
Beginning July 1st, the Agency began a major transition toward a service delivery system that is simpler, easier to access and centered on the strengths of individuals and families. The transformation is expected to take at least three years.

CCTA Announces Fiscal Year 2004 Ridership Increase of 8.5%

Streamlining of Routes and New Ridership Initiatives Attributed to Ridership Increase
Burlington, Vermont: The Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA) has announced that Fiscal Year 2004 bus boardings are up 8.5% from the previous year, recording almost 1.8 million rides for the year. This is the highest ridership increase that CCTA has seen in more than two decades, continuing the upward trend that started two years ago. Some key ridership highlights from FY04:
" University Mall/Airport is up 10.6%;

" PARC Shuttle is up 24.2%;

" Williston is up 28.9%;

Governor Jim Douglas recently announced that in fiscal year 2004 Vermont's multi-state pharmaceutical purchasing pool-the nation's first multi-state pool for prescription drugs-saved Vermont at least a half-million dollars more than budget analysts had originally projected.
In April, following months of intense lobbying by the Douglas, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson approved the pool that Douglas and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, a democrat, pioneered last year. At that time, Douglas said Vermont expected to save approximately $1.5 million in the fiscal year.

By an overwhelming margin, the member/ratepayers of Washington Electric Cooperative have given their approval to the construction of a generating facility at the states largest landfill in Coventry. The project, which will be a very significant, long-term source of stable and affordably priced power for the Co-ops members, received a certificate of public good from the Vermont Public Service board. The board then immediately called for a special membership meeting and vote, as such projects also need member approval according to Vermont law.

The Burlington currency project is in the final countdown stage for the launch of the new Burlington local currency. As part of the launch, all 600-800 recent conference participants received Burlington Currency to spend only at local businesses.
Local Burlington area businesses can take advantage of this unique promotional opportunity and at the same time learn more about how Burlington Currency can work for businesses. The BCP is now engaged in a county-wide campaign to garner support and participation. The new paper currency is full color with anti-counterfeit technology, and a
web based credit component will allow larger and more convenient transactions. A successful Burlington currency will promote increased local spending, and will support a more sustainable local economy.

Directors of Green Mountain Power Corporation (NYSE:GMP) announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per share on the utility's common stock, payable September 30, 2004 to holders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2004. The indicated annual dividend rate is $0.88. Green Mountain Power Corporation is a Vermont-based energy services company serving 89,000 electric customers.

The final piece of financing for the long-awaited North Street revitalization project in Burlington's Old North End has been approved by the State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) board of directors. A $304,531 SIB loan to the City of Burlington completes a state, federal, and local financing package for the $6.6 million revitalization project, and project construction has begun. The North End revitalization project has been in the active planning stages since 1998. Major elements of the project include considerable street repaving, improving pedestrian access and safety by enhancing sidewalks and traffic signals, installing underground utilities, planting trees, upgrading street lighting and other improvements.

Union Bankshares, Inc (AMEX-UNB) has announced that net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 was $1.305 million or $.29 per share compared to $1.189 million or $.26 per share for the same period in 2003. A quarterly dividend of $.22 per share was declared on July 14, 2004 to shareholders of record July 24, 2004, payable July 28, 2004. Union, with headquarters in Morrisville is the bank holding company parent of Union Bank, which offers deposit, loan, trust and commercial banking services throughout northern Vermont. As of June 30, 2004, the company had approximately $344 million in consolidated assets and operated 12 banking offices and 28 ATM facilities in Vermont and a loan origination office in the adjacent Littleton, NH market.

The Lane Press, Inc has announced the implementation of the JDF- (Job Definition Format) compliant HIFLEXPRINT and Creo Prinergy solutions for a complete end-to-end automation of the printing process. Lane Press is the first North American printer with an integrated manufacturing resource planning (MRP) solution and prepress system. Together, these solutions provide real- time, job-specific data flow throughout the manufacturing process. According to Philip Drumheller, president of Lane Press, this action represents a sweeping process improvement in printing. The Lane Press implementation of HIFLEX and Prinergy will be completed this summer.

Fletcher Allen and the Vermont Federation of Nurses and
Health Professionals Announce Recruitment & Retention Plans

Governor Douglas Announces 'Operation Red Clover' to Improve Public Health

NEW GLOBAL TRADE PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED

Partners to Collaborate in Providing Trade Assistance
A new public/private partnership will provide international trade assistance to Vermont businesses, according to Kevin Dorn, Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.