The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets today announced the launch of a new online service that allows licensed Vermont businesses to file, renew, and pay online for their annual retail and W&M (weighing-and-measuring) licenses (https://secure.vermont.gov/Agriculture/licensing). The new web service is intended to create more convenience for Vermont businesses, while saving on both business' and state government budgets overall.

"This new online licensing service is a great first step toward enhancing the Agency's use of technology to support Vermont businesses, many which already subscribe to e-commerce best practices," said Chuck Ross, Secretary of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.

The convenience of the web service is straightforward: with a few quick clicks, retail business managers will be able to enter appropriate data about their license need, select appropriate license types online and pay securely by credit card, then get confirmation of renewal which they can print out if they choose. Accessible online 24/7/365 at https://secure.vermont.gov/Agriculture/licensing/, and built at no cost to the Agency over a two-year period by the state's e-government partner Vermont Information Consortium (VIC), the online application is the first such service for the Agency - the first, they hope, of many to follow.

"We are pleased to be able to leverage technology in a way that will make things more convenient and save our local business owners valuable time," said Governor Peter Shumlin.

For questions about the new system, contact the Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets at 828-828-2436.

About Vermont Information Consortium

Vermont Information Consortium (http://www.Vermont.gov) is the official e-government partner for the State of Vermont. Managed through a unique public-private partnership, the Montpelier company builds and manages interactive government services on behalf of the state and is a wholly owned subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC (NASDAQ: EGOV).

About NIC

NIC (http://www.egov.com) is the nation's leading provider of government websites, online services, and secure payment processing solutions. The company's innovative eGovernment services help reduce costs and increase efficiencies for government agencies, citizens, and businesses across the country. NIC provides eGovernment solutions for more than 3,000 federal, state, and local agencies across the United States. Additional information is available at http://www.egov.com.

Vermont Information Consortium
Jamie Gage, 802-229-4171 x223
General Manager