Central Vermont Biz Bits

As the Chamber approaches its 40th anniversary, Chamber Directors have begun personal visits with its 30 Charter Members. In teams of two, officers and directors are visiting the member’s place of business to thank them for their trust and commitment and to gain insights into the issues and activities most important to their company. VP Steve Gilman and director Nancy Zorn have enjoyed calling on Capitol Steel & Supply and the Kiwanis Club of Barre during the past week.

Four Central Vermont municipalities have approved funds for design of a single, integrated public safety services system, and the study committee has authorized the Chamber to contract with Vermont public safety veteran Brian Searles to prepare the design over the next four months. Searles will be assisted by security consultant Gary Margolis.

Snap Fitness, MVP Health Care, and The Woods at Wihakowi present Total Wellness from 5-7 pm Thursday in the Chamber conference rooms. Demonstrations, healthy snacks and business networking on tap. Groups of three that pre-register and enter together will enjoy free admission. Light refreshments and door prizes. Reservations: 229-5711

Ah, the joys of being in the private sector. As businesses work their way through this downturn, the federal government marches on - and pays its workers more, according to USA Today. Read the News Article. The great benefits that allegedly balanced the low pay of government employees are now in addition to pay that exceeds private employment. Private sector employers pay federal taxes so the federal government can employ the people they might like to hire but can’t afford.

The US Senate will soon approve $26 billion to help preserve bloated Vermont educational expenses that contribute to Vermont’s $120 million deficit. With this help, Vermont will be in a better position to continue its unsustainable education outlays further into the future. Per pupil costs already exceed tuition at Vermont’s state colleges. Vermont doesn’t need to have the pressure taken off; Vermont needs to correct the problem. One has to wonder if an $8,000 parent-student voucher couldn’t buy as much quality education in the school of their choosing as their $12,000 in public school expenditure.

Take heart. Good things continue. Local unemployment under 6%, national average more than 9%.

Any list of business openings and expansions will be incomplete, but better to be incomplete than simply ignore the many good things going on. SBE remains leader of the pack, expending to sell product globally, import dollars, and create scores of new manufacturing jobs. Northern Power looking to do the same. Poulin Lumber and TJ Maxx have open for business. Community College of Vermont planning a major expansion. And for fun there’s Skate City. Among others.

Art & Roxanne Farmer of Livingston, TX visited six free Central Vermont attractions and redeemed their verification forms for tickets to Lost Nation Theater. The couple visited the Vermont State House, Rock of Ages, Bragg and Morse farms, and Barre’s sculptures as well as enjoying the Barre downtown walking tour. Securing the required confirmations was worth $30 in theater tickets.

There are more than two dozen area attractions that cost absolutely nothing to visit. The Price of Fun is Zero brochure is available throughout Central Vermont or online. Details and Brochure Download

MVP and Snap Fitness are sponsors of a total fitness Chamber mixer Thursday Aug. 19. The event in the Chamber conference rooms will feature stations with fun fitness demonstrations for incorporating fitness and healthy choices in your daily routine. The Woods at Wihakowi will cater, and Lisa and Johnathan will share their expertise on serving healthy treats.

Mixer chair Joe Hayes announced a remarkable pricing formula for those attending. Come alone and pay $8. Bring a friend and both attend for $5. Bring two friends and all three are FREE with advanced reservation, entering together. Get together to get connected and get healthy.

Vermont’s FY2010 budget shortfall was originally pegged at 16.5% by The Taxpayers Network, the smallest deficit of the nation’s 10 worst. Ten states including Vermont faced deficits of more than 15 percent. They ranged from highs of 37.6 in Nevada and more than 20 percent in New York, California and Arizona. Vermont’s deficit challenges for next year loom even larger than those of the current budget.

In many ways, December 2008 is forever ago, but at that time Vermont had the lowest foreclosure rate (per household) in the nation - just one in 19,000 according to a recent Taxpayers Network report. However, an update for first quarter 2010 from RealtyTrac shows Vermont is still best in the nation: “One in every 8,932 Vermont housing units received a foreclosure filing during the quarter - the 50th highest state foreclosure rate in the nation.” Credit both Vermont lenders for their careful and honest evaluation of potential borrowers and Vermont residents for their tenacity when it comes to meeting their obligations. A healthier economy than most helps too. Congrats to all.