[MTK1]

Looks like GMCR is looking to relocate its headquarters out of VT. When is this state going to wake up and start becoming more business friendly. There are eventually going to be no good paying jobs left in VT if they dont start moving in the right direction.

Interesting article on just how bad the business climate is in VT. With Jack McMullen, aconsultant to Fortune 500 and technology-oriented companies, and 2004 Republican senate nominee from VT saying: People refer to Vermont as “business hell” because of heavy regulation, heavy taxation and an unsympathetic Legislature, he said.




"Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. is considering moving its headquarters outside of Vermont, according to the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development."
Silence surrounds Green Mountain Coffee | burlingtonfreepress.com | The Burlington Free Press

[arctichomesteader]

No surprise. I'm more shocked when businesses stay in VT.

[Brave Stranger]

They are welcome over here in NH Still.....sorry to see this. This is the only coffee we drink.

[Flashback]

As business moves out, Vermont becomes more dependent on property taxes for revenue to fund state programs.

Get ready to pay more.

[OhBeeHave]

I am writing them to explain that as a Green Mountain Coffee drinker, I will cease buying their product should they relocate from the Green Mountain State. It's a small gesture on my part, but one to support the Vermonters who will be negatively impacted by this.

[flu189]

Green Mountain Coffee apparently is a well run business and it shows as they value solid business principles. They are in business to grow and their shareholders not only expect, but demand that they do what it takes to remain profitable, hence getting their operations out of Vermont. We should not be protesting their decision, but should be actively seeking to oust the folks that that are intentionally stagnating our own economy here in Vermont. When the recovery finally takes hold Vermont will be at the back of the line as states and jurisdictions that understand how to foster business growth will benefit. It is interesting to note that Vermont is yet in another phase of fiscal crisis management seeking to shed yet a few more state workers to save $7.4 million to try staunch the bleeding from an over bloated budget. Here is some food for thought. If only we could discipline ourselves to lower our education spending to the national average we could knock off $340 million in excess spending. This figure would more than provide for essential services, balance the budget, and still keep the kids in school without sacrificing core curriculum needs. Vermont will end up being a bystander to recovery while we get soaked for even more money from an already beaten work force.

[OhBeeHave]

Slightly of the topic, but with full consideration of your post, how do the residents of the state go about disciplining themselves to lower educational spending? Where exactly does the $340 million come from? Part of the problem lies with strong teachers union, Vermont-NEA, looking out for what's best for it's members (more money) as opposed to where the money is coming from.

Some district residents rubber stamp the budgets each year following the 'It's for the kids' rhetoric.
Educational acts need to be revisited.
School districts need to be merged into county districts in order to reduce duplication of services and to increase purchasing power.

Back to GMC -- are corporations liable for school taxes in VT?

[ex-springfielder]

Most people write thinking that our state legislators should be appalled at another company leaving when in truth it's exactly what many want. Vermont has become overtaken with tree hugging, selfish, not-in-my-back-yard socialist. Kunin, Dean, Sanders, all imports who fit well with the new Vermonters that have moved in from NY, Mass and CT. They want vermont to remain a backwoods state, that's why they moved here to get away from the city. Act 250 is the most anti-business law in the nation, if it does finally allow construction it makes sure it's expensive and easy to contest in court. It's the main reason the smartest and most ambitious of Vermonts young leave the state, to find a decent life, at an affordable price, elsewhere. I left Vermont after 57 years and enduring too many company closings, enough was enough, I should have wised up long ago. My new house is worth 30% more than the house I owned in Vermont yet my taxes this year are $1800 instead of the $4700 on the house in vermont. How Vermont can survive as a state where the largest employer is the government I don't know, I think Vermont is in for some very trying years ahead and the peole in Montpelier are thrown out on their ears nothing will change, just a constant increase in taxes for ever declining services.

[j_jimerino]

I find it amusing when they say they want more affordable housing. The zoning laws that they created along with septic requirements basically make it illogical or impossible for a builder to construct cheaper housing.

This state is brutal to raise a family in. The only thing that ties me here is my family, friends and my wife's family. And we are luckier then most. Housing is expensive but the real problem is job opportunities are to few. If you can find a good paying job you can pay those high taxes.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by j_jimerino

I find it amusing when they say they want more affordable housing. The zoning laws that they created along with septic requirements basically make it illogical or impossible for a builder to construct cheaper housing.

This state is brutal to raise a family in. The only thing that ties me here is my family, friends and my wife's family. And we are luckier then most. Housing is expensive but the real problem is job opportunities are to few. If you can find a good paying job you can pay those high taxes.

"Affordable housing" is also an issue in NH as well. Even though we don't have an income tax or sales tax it is still a high cost of living state. Families are definitely getting squeezed. I would say a family of four needs at least a 75K+ plus income to make it. I know a few people who have moved to lower cost states because of the job situation and the insane property taxes.