News

Governor Jim Douglas joined U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today to announce a $6.2 million federal grant to rehabilitate a runway at Edward F. Knapp State Airport in Barre. The project is estimated to create 54 direct and indirect jobs. The funds were made available by the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

The Vermont Public Service Board on Thursday approved one of the largest wind power generating facilities in Vermont.

The Vermont Department of Labor announced today that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March 2009 was 7.2 percent, up one-tenth of a point from the revised February rate and up 2.6 points from a year ago. Unemployment rates for Vermont s 17 labor market areas ranged from 4.3 percent in Hartford to 12.1 percent in Newport.

The International Center for Captive Insurance Education has announced a new series of accounting for captives online courses in May called "Accounting for Captives: Interpretation & Management Perspectives."

Darn Tough Vermont has announced that their military issue flame resistant Merino wool boot sock is to be included in the recently awarded Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble known as the FREE Clothing System. This is a multilayered, versatile, insulating system that is adaptable to varying mission requirements and environmental conditions.

Teaming up with Green Up is a win-win-win. Vermont wins, Green Up wins and the team mate wins, reported Melinda Vieux, President of Green Up Vermont.

Senate leadership today recommended over $14 million worth of savings in labor costs. The Senate is opposed to Governor Douglas proposal to lay off an additional three hundred and twenty employees and asks the Vermont State Employees Association (VSEA) and the Douglas Administration to move forward with negotiations.

Governor Jim Douglas announced today that up to $6 million dollars in lower-rate operating loans will be made available through VEDA for farmers struggling during the economic downturn.

Camels Hump Middle School is well on its way to hosting a $500,000 solar installation that could serve as a statewide model for power generation and renewable energy education.

The state of Vermont continues to have the lowest foreclosure rate in the country, according to a national rating firm. RealtyTrac(R)(http://www.realtytrac.com), the leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, today released its U.S.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will today be holding two public sessions to discuss the criteria by which it awarded the Vermont Yankee power plant its highest rating green. In its Annual Assessment Letter dated March 4, 2009, the NRC said that overall, Vermont Yankee operated in a manner that preserved public health and safety and fully met all cornerstone objectives.

The Vermont House gave final approval April 15 to legislation that will significantly increase the number of wetlands nature s water filters that will be protected under Vermont law.
The bill, H.447, will require inaccurate state wetlands maps to be updated and also mandate better protections for wetlands.