Vermont has also just won permission to use the program, which had been restricted to businesses related to tourism, for other firms involved in manufacturing and other work. "This program has become an economic engine in Vermont, and we have proven it with the creation of hundreds of jobs ... I want Vermont to stay on the cutting edge in harnessing these investments for economic development throughout our state. The biggest impediment to this program is its lack of permanence." Taxpayers will cover the roughly $5,000-per-person cost of the trip for Douglas, two Agency of Commerce officials and two state troopers. Full Article at Barre Montpelier Times-Argus