About Us
Vermont is one of the smallest states in the USA, fewer than 10,000 square miles in size, but we have plenty of space because the state also has a fairly small population. Only about one U.S. citizen in 500 lives in Vermont; our largest city Burlington, with a population of just under 40,000, would be considered a town in another state, or a neighborhood in Los Angeles, New York or Chicago. It is perhaps surprising, then, to learn that the ACS Green Mountain Local Section, which covers Vermont, is not one of the smallest ACS sections. We have more than 200 members which puts us in the "medium small" size category. There are several factors that may contribute to this. Although Vermont has a deserved reputation as a rural state we have one of the best educated populations and we do have a number of companies that employ chemists including IBM, Omya, Mylan Technologies, Triosyn Corporation, BPM Nutritionals, and Ben and Jerry's. Vermont is recognized as a good retirement location, it was voted one of "Best Places to Retire Young" by CNNMoney.com, and more than 25% of the ACS Green Mountain Local Section are emeritus or retired members. The state is also recognized as a leader in sustainability. The sixth annual "Survey of Destination Stewardship," conducted by the National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations, ranked Vermont fifth in the world and first in the United States.Several of our members are involved in "green" organizations or environmental chemistry. Vermont also has more colleges per capita than any other state and of those reporting their job title or nature of business in the ACS Green Mountain Local Section membership rosters (70%) almost half are working or studying at the University of Vermont, Middlebury College, Saint Michaels, or Norwich University.
