Burlington Free Press

In his opening remarks at the recent Vermont’s Digital Future Conference, Gov. Peter Shumlin said Internet service at his Putney home is behind that of Vietnam, Cambodia and Croatia. “It’s behind most of the undeveloped world, and most of the 49 states,” he said. “If we don’t connect, what’s at stake for us?”

He went on to explain how lack of connectivity is detrimental to the state. Shumlin promised every last mile of Vermont would be connected by the end of 2013. He spoke at the conference hosted May 8 by Champlain College...

Candace Page of the Burlington Free Press (www.burlingtonfreepress.com) interviewed Brian Shupe, Executive Director of the Vermont Natural Resources Council. He discusses the working landscape effort as well as other efforts they have been involved with this year.

Burlington Free Press: When members of the Vermont Natural Resources Council ask you about the 2012 legislative session, what is the overall assessment you give?

Vermont has an extraordinary and growing wealth of talent, energy, and entrepreneurial interest in its agricultural and forest products sectors. With the state's working lands economy at a turning point, a flood of interest from young entrepreneurs, and existing businesses wishing to grow the Vermont brand and economy, the future of our working lands based sectors can -- and should -- be bright.

HARDWICK — With nine crockpots going in her kitchen at once, Lisa Johnson feared she would short out her circuit breaker. She knew her home business of making roasted sweet potato dips had outgrown her Norwich home, but she was nowhere near ready to build her own food processing building. The new Vermont Food Venture Center, which had its grand opening Friday, saved her from giving it all up. Click HERE to read the article.