Leigh Cole's Vermont Business Blog

Vermont Business Report Concludes “Green Valley” Is Wide And Deep

2008-04-11T03:26:23Z

On April 2, 2008, the Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation (GBIC) issued a report entitled “The Green Economy and Environmental Enterprise in Vermont”. The Report concludes, among other things, that the “green” sector includes a variety of industries, not just the green energy industry. The Report also concludes that all Vermont businesses have an important role in developing a green economy in Vermont, not just companies offering green products and services... Read the full post.

Choosing to Live in Vermont or New York - A Clear Choice

2008-03-26T01:00:26Z

I have heard the suggestion that it’s hard for Vermont to compete with northern New York for new residents who can choose to live in either state. Some people say the cost of living is so much lower on the other side of Lake Champlain, why live in Vermont when you can live over in New York? Based on my personal experiences in both places, I don’t believe Vermont is at any disadvantage with respect to the Plattsburgh area of New York... Read the full post.

Surveying The Green Valley – Does It Extend Beyond The Green Energy Sector?

2008-03-17T00:57:48Z

I have been considering the degree of progress already made toward developing The Green Valley as a magnet sector in Vermont’s economy. Official statements on The Green Valley from State officials focus on green energy companies...Read the full post.

National Media Recognizes Vermont's Green Economy

2008-03-01T03:33:30Z

The entire cast of NBC's Today Show broadcast on location from Sugarbush Mountain Resort on Thursday, February 21, 2008. It was fun to see Meredith Viera do the penguin plunge (which incidentally, rumor has it, was re-created just for her that week after she read about it on-line while preparing for their Vermont broadcast...Read the full post.

Entrepreneurs With Vermont Connections Should Be Prime Targets of Vermont's Recruitment Efforts

2008-02-17T20:06:38Z

In September 2007 the State of Vermont held a party in Boston to woo current residents of the Boston area who have Vermont connections, such as alumni of Vermont colleges and universities, back to Vermont. The party was hosted by the Vermont Department of Economic Development (DED) as part of its “PursueVT” initiative to attract a skilled workforce, www.pursuevt.org.... Read the full post.

Entrepreneurs Choose Vermont To Launch New Consumer Products Business

2008-02-07T04:56:27Z

Janice Shade and a couple of her former colleagues from Seventh Generation envisioned a new product that will be a welcome addition to supermarket shelves: a 100% natural traditional bar soap at a price point comparable to soaps like Dial and Ivory and on the same grocery shelf. There’s nothing like it on the market...Read the full post.

We Have What It Takes

2008-02-07T03:40:21Z

To capitalize on global migration, perhaps Vermont just needs to keep doing what we have been doing since the 1960’s: attracting interesting people who are looking for a place where they can be themselves, enjoy an active lifestyle in a dynamic community, and pursue a livelihood that is personally fulfilling...Read the full post.

Global Migration and Vermont

2008-02-07T03:37:49Z

"Cross Border" business with Canada always has been important in northern Vermont. Canada is our close neighbor, trading partner, and cultural cousin. In my law practice I work with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on a daily basis, helping companies utilize its trade and immigration benefits...Read the full post.

Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie's "Green Valley" Speech - March 2006 - Where Are We Now?

2008-02-02T13:50:28Z

On March 9, 2006 Lt. Governor Brian Dubie spoke on Vermont's "Green Valley" initiative at the Energy and Environment Symposium sponsored by the Vermont Journal of Envirnomental Law at Vermont Law School. He described the Green Valley initiative and catalogued green businesses that already were flourishing in Vermont...Read the full post.

"Why Vermont Works" - The Speaker Is Paying Attention

2008-02-02T13:24:40Z

I'd like to think that any thoughtful attention on the part of our elected officials to the state of business in Vermont would be welcomed by the business community. Speaker of the Vermont House, Gaye Symington, recently launched her own initiative to feature Vermont business success stories and understand why business works in Vermont...Read the full post.