Tuesday January 13, 2011 - 6:15 p.m.

Governor Shumlin and Secretary of Commerce and Community Development, Lawrence Miller, hit the road on Tuesday to find out what Vermont businesses are up to and how they can help.

The day started with breakfast and a nice chat at the Milton Diner. Town Clerk/Treasuer John Cushing, Police Chief Brett van Noordt, Town Manager Brian Palaia, and Milton Independent reporter/editor Courtney Lamdin sat with the Governor and Secy. Miller. They talked about businesses that have been growing in Milton and ways that they can help businesses that are struggling. Police Chief van Noordt told said that Oxycontin addiction is one of the biggest problems the town is facing. After eating his meal the Governor spent some time meeting the other customers.

Governor Shumlin and Secretary Miller than went to PBM Nutritionals in Georgia. The company makes baby formula and employs about 330 people. It was started in 1982 and is the only formula company in the U.S. that adheres to both FDA regulations and a stringent set of quality-assurance regulations set by the International Organization for Standardization. Some of the managers talked with the governor about economic development and keeping the cost of electricty low. Sean Walsh, general manager, gave us a tour of the facility, which involved wearing white coats and hair nets! He told us all about the manufacturing process and the strict hygenic controls.

Following that the team went to Superior Technical Ceramics Corporation in St. Albans. The company makes ceramic parts for all kinds of things like spark plugs and aerospace products. Governor Shumlin and Secretary Miller got a great tour of the facility where they met lots of employees - many who have been there for 2 decades or more - and got a first-hand look at the high performance ceramics the company produces. After the tour it was time for a brief chat about energy policy and economic development.

Our time in Franklin County ended with a wonderful luncheon at Chow Bella in St. Albans. Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation president, Frank Cioffi, helped organize the event and many local businesses leaders attended. Mayor Marty Manahan was also there. Everyone enjoyed some delicious lasagna, sandwiches, salad, and deserts. Governor Shumlin took questions from the crowd and answered on topics ranging from education spending, to healthcare reform, to taxes.

Overall, it was a wonderful trip. The governor and secretary heard some great ideas about how we can get Vermonters working.