Merchants Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: MBVT) and its wholly-owned subsidiary bank, Merchants Bank (collectively, "Merchants"), have determined not to participate in the Capital Purchase Program (the "CPP") of the U.S. Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Under the CPP, the U.S. Treasury will make $250 billion of capital available to U.S.
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) has extended its agreement with McDonald's USA, LLC to source, roast and package Newman's Own® Organics Blend coffee for more than 600 McDonald's restaurants in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Albany, NY. McDonald's first introduced Newman's Own Organics coffee roasted by Green Mountain Coffee, a segment of GMCR, to its restaurants in New England and Albany, NY in October 2005.
Dr. Philip A. Brown named Vice President of Medical Affairs at CVMC
Berlin, Vt -Philip Brown, DO, who has served as medical director of the Emergency Department at Central Vermont Medical Center for fourteen years, was recently been named vice president of medical affairs.
Median family income in Vermont rose to a record high of $65,786 in 2007, according to The Vermont Economy Newsletter's annual analysis of just-released Vermont Tax Department income data. The income earned by the median family (half of all families earn more and half earn less than the median) rose by 4.6% or $2,900 in 2007.
While incomes grew by 4.6%, prices increased by 2.8%, yielding an inflation-adjusted income growth rate of 1.7%.
Montpelier, VT - Governor Douglas has announced that the initial damage assessment for the December 11th ice storm in southern Vermont has exceeded the required federal threshold of $1 million, allowing the Governor to apply for a Presidential Disaster Declaration.
Firms could create 238 jobs over next five years
MONTPELIER, Vt. - A start-up company; a long-time Vermont manufacturer; and a Canadian firm have been authorized to earn $1.7 million worth of incentives that could produce 238 new jobs over the next five years.
At its recent meeting, the Vermont Economic Progress Council gave initial approval for incentives totaling up to $795,139 for joint venture ASK-in TAG, LLC to potentially establish a facility in Essex to develop and manufacture radio frequency identification documents such as enhanced driver's licenses.
Governor Unveils New Name for the Food Stamp Program; Kicks Off Implementation of New Eligibility Criteria
30,000 Additional Households May be Eligible for "3Squares VT" Benefits
Berlin, VT- In a kick-off event to mark the roll-out of the Governor's initiative to expand program eligibility, Governor Jim Douglas, has unveiled a new name for Vermont's enahnced Food Stamp Program; beginning today, the program will be known as 3Squares VT.
Week Ending December 20, 2008
There were 1,540 new regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance last week, an increase of 315 from the week before. Altogether 12,384 new and continuing claims were filed, 975 more than a week ago and 3,678 more than a year earlier. In addition, the Vermont Department of Labor processed 2,641 claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008, an increase of 61 from last week.
The Unemployment Weekly Report can be found at:
http://www.vtlmi.info/
Chris Barbieri has been named Interim President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Effective on January 1, 2009, he will succeed Duane Marsh, who left to become Executive Director of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association. Chris Barbieri will remain in this position until a full-time replacement is hired.
Barbieri stated, "I'm delighted to step in as Interim President. I look forward to working with our professional staff and volunteer leadership in meeting the many challenges facing Vermont's business community."
Today announced that AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets will add nearly 75 new jobs in Vermont as a result of its completed acquisition of the Vermont assets of Rural Cellular Communications, a provider of rural and suburban wireless communications services doing business in Vermont under the Unicel brand.
Berlin, Vt -- The medical staff and administration of Central Vermont Medical Center distributed one 12 lb (approx. weight) turkey to every full time, part time and per diem employee of CVMC, in appreciation for their hard work throughout the year. "We appreciate the great care they provide our patients and residents, "said Dr. Cove, president of the medical staff.
Ten thousand pairs of top quality merino wool socks will find their way to needy Vermont youngsters this week thanks to the joint efforts of a charitable foundation affiliated with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, a Northfield sock maker, and the state's community action agencies.