Welcome to the Official Website for Vermont Governor Jim Douglas!
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Vacancies on Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs (doc - 36k)
Governor's Summit on Pathways to Economic Stability
Governor's Calendar
2:00 p.m. Revision Eyewear Open House, Corporate Drive, Essex Junction
6:00 p.m. Tourterelle Restaurant Grand Re-Opening, Route 7, New Haven
No Public Events Scheduled
11:15 a.m. Chester Historical Society Old Home Day Rededication Ceremony & Parade, First Avenue, Chester
5:00 p.m. Champlain Valley Fair Parade, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction
7:00 p.m. Chicago Concert, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction
RECENT NEWS
Governor Breaks Ground at First New Vermont Neighborhood
Essex Junction Project Is First To Benefit from New Housing Law
Essex Jct., Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas was on hand as a local developer broke ground at the site of the first new neighborhood created under the housing bill passed last year.
In a ceremony at the future site of Village Haven, a 24-unit housing development off West Street in Essex Junction being built by Dousevicz, Inc., the governor praised the project as leading the way in an effort to get more housing built that working Vermonters can afford under the Vermont Neighborhoods program.
“This site is a great example of how we can work together to encourage housing that working families can afford. We can achieve this goal and at the same time uphold our strong environmental standards,” Douglas said. “And projects like are critical in this economy as they create jobs for Vermonters and stimulate our economy.” Read More
Centennial contest winners get a ‘high five’ from Governor
MONTPELIER – Winners of the Forestry Centennial “If Trees Could Talk …” art and writing contest got personal congratulations from Governor Jim Douglas at a special Statehouse ceremony today.
Eight winners were chosen from the more than 500 students who portrayed in picture or prose their appreciation of forests as part of the Forestry Centennial Celebration, sponsored by the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.
“The Forestry Centennial is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the role of our forests and renew our commitment to this vital environmental and economic resource,” the Governor said. “As we begin our second century, Vermont’s forests will continue to flourish with the support of all who cherish and respect this tremendous resource.”
One art entry and one writing entry were chosen as winners in each of the following age groups: grades K-2; grades 3-5; grades 6-8 and grades 9-12. Winning entries can be seen online at: http://www.vtfpr.org/htm/for_cen_contests.cfm
STATE PARKS GOING SOLAR, CREATING JOBS
$600,000 to be invested in Solar Energy Systems
GRAND ISLE – The Douglas Administration announced today that Vermont State Parks are going solar as part of the state’s strategy to fight back against the recession, create jobs and grow the economy.
The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is planning to install solar hot water systems at its toilet buildings and bathhouses in state park campgrounds statewide. The Department has designated $600,000 for these solar hot water conversions.
“The potential to tap renewable energy in more locations throughout the park system is a high priority for my administration,” said Governor Jim Douglas. “This project puts people to work, helps the state parks save money and is another small smart step in addressing climate change.” Read More
Governor Douglas to Lead Vermont Business Delegation to Asia
Delegation to seek Investors for Vermont’s EB-5 program
MONTPELIER — Governor Jim Douglas announced he will lead a delegation of Vermont business leaders seeking investors for their companies on a mission to Asia in October, which will include stops in South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
“Vermont’s economy has benefited tremendously from the investments made in our businesses through the EB-5 program,” Governor Douglas said. “This trip will allow us to showcase the opportunities for investors here in Vermont, as well as to promote general trade with these countries.”
Vermont receives $606,000 in Stimulus funding to preserve Jobs in the Arts
42 Organizations to Receive Grants; Vermont Has Highest Percentage in the Country of Competitive Grants Funded
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas announced today that 42 Vermont arts organizations have been awarded funding totaling $606,000 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These grants will help preserve jobs in Vermont’s nonprofit arts sector that have been threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn.
“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is designed to jumpstart the economy, create and protect jobs, and invest in key priorities,” said Governor Douglas. “Like other jobs, arts jobs help individuals and families pay household expenses, put children through college and achieve financial stability.”
Through ARRA, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) received $50 million to help restore and preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector. As partners of the NEA, state arts agencies and regional arts organizations like the New England Foundation for the Arts, played an important role in advancing the goals of this program. 40 percent of the $50 million was distributed directly to the state and regional arts organizations.
The Vermont Arts Council received $250,000 to support and preserve jobs in Vermont’s non-profit arts sector. Some arts organizations were eligible to apply directly to the NEA and/or to the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) for this funding. If approved by one or more grant-maker, the applicant had to choose one. Sixteen Vermont Arts organizations were eligible to apply directly to the NEA. Of these, eight were funded for a total of $341,000. Vermont and Iowa ranked highest in the percentage of applicants funded at 50 percent, though Iowa only had eight applications. Two Vermont organizations applied directly to NEFA and one was funded for $15,000. Read More