News

Almost $5.7 million was released to Vermont today for transit programs funded by the economic recovery bill, Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders and Representative Peter Welch announced.
The stimulus money for Vermont from the Federal Transit Administration was included in the bill that was designed to create some 8,000 jobs in Vermont to help jolt the economy out of recession.

Vermonters’ interest in the newly enacted economic stimulus bill is so high that registration requests for Friday’s workshops on the plan have quickly outstripped capacity. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who organized the sessions, says signup requests topped 700 just days after online registration opened last week.

On Feb. 27, the gas savings program that has put more than $10 million back into the pockets of consumers throughout New England returns to participating Shaw’s Supermarkets, Dunkin’ Donuts locations and Irving Oil gas stations.

Katie Adams, who founded Cat Country Radio sixteen years ago, is now creating another Rutland based enterprise. Adams has taken a closed wood pallet mill in Clarendon, and, as she did with country music, is filling a void in the market. She s starting the first wood pellet plant in Vermont.

State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding announced today that Vermont successfully sold $50.5 million in general obligation bonds. Demand was so high that once the selling period was open, the bonds virtually sold out in less than three hours.

Thirty-six candidates have submitted entries for the first round of the Fourth Annual Business Plan Competition offered by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC). Sixteen are in the New Business category and 20 in the Existing Business category.

Week Ending February 28, 2009. There were 1,543 new regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance last week, an increase of 242 from the week before. Altogether 18,255 new and continuing claims were filed, 822 more than a week ago and 6,891 more than a year earlier.

Dennise Casey, Governor Douglas deputy chief of staff, has assumed the responsibilities of spokesman for the governor. His former press secretary, Stephen Wark, has accepted a position with the Department of Public Service as Manager of Special Projects.

Governor Howard Dean -- a nationally recognized political figure, presidential candidate and six term Governor -- has agreed to serve as an independent consultant exclusive to the government affairs practice at McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP. Governor Dean will provide guidance to clients, particularly in the areas of healthcare and alternative energy resources.

Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz, in partnership with the Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, will present the 2009 Centennial Business Awards at the statehouse on Thursday, March 5, at 4:00 p.m.

Secretary of State Deb Markowitz announced today that the Redstone offices of the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA) will be moving to the record center on Route 2 in Middlesex. The move, which will occur during the week of March 9th, is part of an ongoing effort to consolidate and improve the services of VSARA.

US Rep. Peter Welch announced Tuesday a set of staff transitions geared toward supporting his work on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, to which he was appointed in January.