News In Brief

News In Brief

Fletcher Allen files for $57.2M e-health plan

Fletcher Allen Health Care is formally seeking state approval to make patient
records available electronically, so providers can know medical histories,
medications and treatments quickly and reliably.

FHAC has submitted a Certificate of Need application (CON) to the
Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration
(BISHCA) to install an organization-wide clinical information system known as an
electronic health record (EHR). The $57.2 million capital project will connect
virtually every key function in the organization and is expected to take three years
to implement.

"This is a transformational project for Fletcher Allen," said Melinda Estes,
M.D., president and chief executive officer, Fletcher Allen Health Care. "It will
bring fundamental changes to our clinical processes that will enable the
organization to achieve new levels of quality and patient safety. Looking forward
to 2010 and beyond, it will help position Fletcher Allen as a national model for the
delivery of high-quality health care for a rural region."

Chris Dutton, chair, Fletcher Allen Board of Trustees, said: "I am also pleased
that due to the hard work over the last three years to improve the organization's
financial picture, Fletcher Allen is able to fund a project of this scope, which will be
vital to fulfilling our mission of serving the community and educating tomorrow's
providers."

Benefits of the electronic health record include a number of features to
improve patient safety and quality of care:
*

medical record information will be available to providers more quickly
and in a consistent format
*

the length of time between when a medication is ordered and when an
inpatient receives it will be shortened
*

automatic checks in the system will safeguard against undesirable
medication interactions and incorrect dosage amounts
*

legibility of treatment orders and other information entered into the
medical record will be improved
*

there will be more uniform treatment protocols throughout the
organization to improve outcomes and quality of care
*

improved organizational efficiency and cost effectiveness, particularly in
patient registration and scheduling

Because Fletcher Allen is Vermont's academic medical center and its largest
health care provider, the project will be a key element in the continued
development of a statewide interoperable electronic health record that will
eventually permit clinical information to be exchanged securely among all health
care providers in this service area.

Completion of this project will represent a major step forward in Vermont's
health information technology system. It will conform to the State's Health
Information Technology Plan, prepared by Vermont Information Technology
Leaders (VITL), and the IT recommendations in the state's Health Resource
Allocation Plan (HRAP) prepared by BISHCA.

The project will serve all of Fletcher Allen's more than 30 facilities in Vermont,
including the approximately 750 physicians who are credentialed at Fletcher Allen
- approximately one-half of the physicians practicing in Vermont.

Fletcher Allen has selected Epic, a Wisconsin-based health care software firm,
as the primary vendor to supply specialized software and implementation services
for the project.

Work to implement the EHR would begin if BISHCA approves the plan, which
could come by the end of the year. Fletcher Allen hopes the EHR would take about
three years to implement.

iTech named fastest growing tech company in NE

South Burlingtons iTech US, Inc is atop the list of the fastest growing
companies in New England as recognized by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP and. The
New England Technology Fast 50, now in its 11th, ranks technology, media,
telecommunications, and life sciences companies by percentage revenue growth
over five years. iTech US, which was incorporated in Virginia but established its
headquarters in South Burlington in 2003, has demonstrated 39,392 percent
revenue growth over five years.

The company has also made the Inc. 500 list for Americas fastest growing
private companies. iTech has revenues of about $30 million. iTech was ranked
third in the country on Deloittes Technology Fast 500 and in the number one spot
on Deloittes New England Technology Fast 50.

Deloittes New England Technology Fast 50 companies have shown the
strength, vision and tenacity to succeed in todays very competitive technology
environment, said Steve DiPietro, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP and chair of the
New England Technology Fast 50 Program. We applaud the successes of iTech US
and acknowledge it as one of the very few to accomplish such a high growth rate
over the past five years.

President and CEO Kishore Khandavalli said,I really didnt expect to come in
at the top of Deloittes list, that was unbelievable, said Khandavalli. These
rankings really validate the hard work and successes that weve had as a
company. Plus Im sure it will come in handy with potential new clients, a real
door-opening tool if you will.

iTech is a computer and software services company, which primarily focuses
on developing custom software to meet the clients needs. The company
specializes in data-warehousing, which manipulates raw data into more user-
friendly and manageable form based on a set of criteria. iTech currently has about
285 employees, who come from all over the United States and eight countries.

iTech clients include Microsoft, Bally, Lehman Brothers, Pitney Bowes, and
Qualcomm. Khandavalli said he wants to create a Tech Center in Vermont filled
with software engineers so that hell be able to offer more custom and creative
development solutions to clients that can be built here in the Green Mountain
State.

My real goal when I started iTech was to provide reliable service and
software solutions to clients, said Khandavalli. The growth has come from our
ability to hire and retain good, high-quality people. Vermont offers a lot of
advantages to my business, including low-cost infrastructure, quality of life and
loyal employees. But our continued growth will depend on being able to hire more
qualified employees in Vermont or to encourage professionals to relocate to
Vermont. I see that as my next big challenge.

He said he hopes to begin conversations with the local colleges and
universities to establish internship programs or advise on real-life course
curriculum, so that students in Vermont will easily transition into successful high-
tech careers here instead of out of state.

iTech US is a total solutions company specialized in providing software
consulting services, application development and Business Process Services. iTech
was incorporated in Virginia but established its headquarters in South Burlington,
Vermont in 2003, where the company resides today.

Khandavallis first company, PrimeSoft, achieved revenues of over $12
million.

Dealer.com recognized by Inc. and Deloitte

Dealer.com, a leading provider of online marketing solutions for the
automotive industry has recently received two very prestigious awards,
recognizing them as one of todays fastest growing companies. Dealer.com was
ranked 22 on the Deloitte Fast 50, and placed 578 on the Inc. 5000 list.

These awards set Dealer.com as one of todays leaders, and exemplify the
success that they have had since they were founded 10 years ago. Dealer.com
develops Web sites for auto dealers. Recent developments for the rapidly growing
Burlington company include its new comprehensive green Web site,
www.earthcars.com, where people can research environmentally friendly vehicles.

Essex, Essex Junction residents anticipate tax hike

Residents of both the Village of Essex Junction and Essex Town are expecting
a comparatively large increase in their upcoming tax bills. Estimation of the town
increase is upwards on average $500, and for the village residents the increase
many be an average increase of over $1,000. Reasons cited for this years jump is
because of IBMs 30% loss in value in its reappraisal. While IBM value dropped,
residential properties nearly doubled in value.

VEDA approves $14M in business development financing

The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) approved $14 million
in financial assistance to business development projects during the months of July
and August.

The VEDA Board of Directors gave final approval for the issuance of industrial
revenue bond financing to support two manufacturing projects that received
preliminary approval in June:
*

Bellows Falls Area Development Corporation and Chroma Technology
Corporation, Bellows Falls  In a package deal, VEDA approved a total of
$3.2 million in industrial revenue bond financing to Chroma Technology
Corporation and Bellows Falls Area Development Corporation (BFADC),
owner of the industrial park property where Chroma is located. Equipment
purchase financing of $917,500 was approved so that Chroma Technology
could meet increased customer demand for the companys superior quality
optical filters. Leasehold improvement financing of $601,000 was approved
to Bellows Falls Area Development Corporation to convert 1,100 square feet
of space at the park into additional manufacturing space for Chroma. Also,
as part of the package, BFADC received VEDA approval to refinance the
remaining $1.7 million from a bond issuance approved by the Authority in
2002 to construct Chromas original 28,000 square foot building in the
industrial park. Chroma Technology, founded in 1991, produces optical filters
used in combination with microscopes and optical scanning machines for
research and exploration in the science, medical, telecommunications and
astronomy fields. Chroma currently employs 81 people; that number is
expected to rise to 90 within three years of the expansion project. GE
Capital will purchase the tax-exempt revenue bonds to support the project.
*

Grafton Village Cheese Company, Inc., Brattleboro - VEDA approved
$8.2 million in industrial revenue bond financing, enabling the established
cheese manufacturer to double production capacity by developing a second
facility in Brattleboro. Grafton Village Cheese Company, Inc., owned by the
Windham Foundation, will expand production to a new 30,800 square foot
cheese processing, aging, and retail facility to be constructed on 3.4 acres of
the former Brattleboro Retreat farm property. Windham Foundation
purchased the 400-acre farm property several years ago. The new
Brattleboro facility is expected to double Graftons production capacity to
three million pounds per year. In addition to the new production and retail
space, Graftons plans call for development of a number of walking trails at
the Route 30 property, located just outside Brattleboro. Chittenden Bank will
purchase the bonds to finance the project, which is expected to be
completed by early 2008. Graftons cheese factory in the village of Grafton
accounts for 34 jobs; within three years of the Brattleboro expansion
project, the total number of employees is expected to more than double to
72.

VEDA also approved $250,000 in financing to help Brattleboro Development
Credit Corporation (BDCC) replace the roof on the Cotton Mill Complex in
Brattleboro. The Cotton Mill operates as an incubator for small businesses and is
currently fully-occupied.

Over $1.5 million in farm ownership and operating loans through the
Authoritys agricultural financing program, the Vermont Agricultural Credit
Corporation, were approved. In addition, small business real estate development
loans totaling $494,000 were approved through the Authoritys Vermont 504
Corporation, and small business loans totaling $296,000 were approved through
the Vermont Small Business Development Corporation.

VPT's John King elected to PBS board

John King, president and CEO of Vermont Public Television, the statewide
public TV network, has been named to the Board of Directors of PBS.

The PBS board is responsible for governing and setting policy for PBS. It
includes 14 professional members who are member station leaders; 12 general
directors who are representatives of the general public; and the PBS president.
Board members serve without pay.

King joined VPT in 1987 as chief financial officer and was later promoted to
vice president of finance and administration, then to senior vice president and
chief operating officer. He was appointed president and CEO in 1998. PBS is a
media enterprise that serves 355 public noncommercial television stations and
reaches nearly 73 million people each week through on-air and online content.

Unemployment rate up three-tenths

The Vermont Department of Labor has announced that the seasonally
adjusted unemployment rate for July 2007 was 4.1 percent, up three-tenths of a
point from last months and up four-tenths of a point from a year ago. The
observed seasonally adjusted monthly changes in the labor force, employment and
unemployment levels were not statistically significant from June values. For
comparison purposes, the US seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July was
4.6 percent, up one-tenth of a point from June 2007.

Unemployment rates for Vermonts 17 labor market areas ranged from 2.4
percent in Hartford to 5.1 percent in Newport. Labor market area unemployment
rates are not seasonally adjusted. For comparison, the unadjusted unemployment
rate for Vermont was 3.8 percent, unchanged from June 2007.

Vermonts labor market stumbled a bit in July said Patricia Moulton Powden,
commissioner of the Vermont Department of Labor. Employment fell by 0.6
percent while the number of unemployed rose. In recent months, declines in labor
force participation have resulted in some declines in the number of employed
Vermonters. Though not statistically significant, we will be watching these
numbers closely to determine whether they resulted from temporary factors such
as poor weather and summer vacation shutdowns, or if we are seeing a softening
in the States employment picture. On the positive side, job creation appears to be
continuing at its recent trend of modest growth.

Seasonally adjusted jobs fell 2,500 from June to July, but that still represents

an increase of 2,000 or 0.7 percent since July of 2006. We saw job losses in
Retail Trade, Transportation Warehousing and Utilities, Construction and especially
Accommodations and Food Services and the Government sector. Only the
Education and Healthcare sector showed significant seasonally adjusted job
growth.

Before seasonal adjustment, Total Non-Farm jobs fell by 9,300 over June, but
grew by 1,700 or 0.6 percent over July of 2006. This annual growth rate is a slight
improvement over what we have seen for the past several months. Most of the
seasonal job loss was in Local Government Education (-9,450) where summer
layoffs were typical and expected. Transportation and Warehousing shed 500 jobs

from June. These are mostly school transportation drivers and support. The
Construction sector gained 450 jobs over the month, but this is not enough to
overcome stagnant over the year growth. Leisure and Hospitality grew by 200 jobs
in July, despite loosing 250 jobs in Food Services and Drinking places. Over the
year growth in Leisure and Hospitality is holding its own at 0.7 percent.

General fund revenues exceed target for August

Secretary of Administration Michael K Smith has released General Fund
revenue results for the month of August, the second month of fiscal year
2008. General Fund revenues totaled $78.59 million for August 2007,
+$1.18 million or +1.5 percent more than the $77.42 million consensus
revenue target for the month. Year to date the General Fund is $6.38 million
(+3.9 percent) above the cumulative revenue forecast.

Monthly Personal Income Tax receipts, which are reported Net-of-
Personal Income Tax refunds, finished August basically on target with
$33.90 million in revenue or +$0.06 million above the monthly revenue
target. Personal Income Tax Receipts are by far the largest single state
revenue source. August totals surpassed the August 2006 Personal Income
Tax by +$1.26 million or +3.8 percent.

The Rooms & Meals Tax slightly surpassed its target for August by
+$0.58 million or +5.1 percent, while receipts in the Sales & Use tax were
slightly below projections in August by -$0.02 or -.09 percent. Corporate
Income Tax finished the month with -$0.10 or -14.9 percent below the
forecasted revenue for August.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Fund performed below target for the
month of August. Total Transportation Fund revenues for August 2007 were
$20.20 million, lagging the consensus revenue target by -$0.87 million,
mostly because Motor Vehicle Purchase & Use and the Gasoline Tax both fell
below projections, while the Diesel Tax and Motor Vehicle Fees were ahead
of target for the month of August.

Non-Property Tax Education Fund revenues (which constitute about 13
percent of total Education Fund receipts) totaled $13.21 million in August,
$0.68 million (-4.9 percent) below the $13.89 million consensus revenue
target for the month.

All of the major components of the Education Fund performed below
target during August: Sales & Use Tax (-$0.01 million or +0.1 percent),
Lottery Transfer (-$0.26 million or -13.8 percent) and the Motor Vehicle
Purchase & Use Tax (-$0.22 million or -7.7 percent).

Strong economic opportunities seen for renewable energy

The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) have released the
findings of the Vermont Rural Energy Council (VREC), a year-long policy council
charged with analyzing economic opportunities in rural electric generation, fuel
development and energy efficiency. Their report, Strengthening Vermonts Energy
Economy, contains 23 recommendations to advance these sectors, and includes
the results of an economic modeling analysis documenting opportunities for
economic return and job creation from investments in particular technologies and
developments.

Chair Richard White of Community National Bank, VCRD Executive Director
Paul Costello, Jeff Carr of Economic Policy Resources, Tom Kavett of Kavett,
Rockler and Associates, and Vermont business leaders highlighted the importance
of rural energy development in Vermont and overviewed key elements of the
report. The report can be downloaded in PDF format at
www.vtrural.org/files/Energy%20Report%209-18-20071.pdf

Yankee incident spurs NRC to take closer look at renewing
license

Following a recent incident at Vermont Yankee, the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) is taking a harder look and asking more questions before
relicensing the nuclear plant. Entergy owners stated that the areas cited in the
incident, which involved a cooling tower collapsing, were outside the scrutiny of
the renewal review. As a result, NRC now wants to revisit the parameters for
license renewal. In the meantime, in an unrelated problem, an automatic
shutdown of the plant was initiated by steam valves. The company is seeking
operations at the 35-year-old reactor to continue 20 years beyond its license
expiration date of 2012.

80 Vermont National Guard engineers return home

After almost a year in Iraq, approximately 80 National Guard engineers,
members of the 131st Engineer Company, are now back on American soil. Major
General Michael Dubie and other officials were on hand to greet the soldiers upon
their landing in Wisconsin. As part of a larger battalion led by the Arkansas
National Guard, Vermont engineers cleared more than 1,200 roadside bombs.
Before returning to Vermont the soldiers are completing paperwork, as well as
other chores.

Vermonts crime rate increases

Although Vermont has less crime than other states, the crime rate is again on
the upswing, rising 57.7% in 2006. The drug trade is partly to blame, with drug
activity committed by out-of-state-gangs and dealers. Homicide victims rose by 5,
up to a total of 13 in 2006. Drug related crimes, including crimes against society,
jumped 14%. Rutland had the highest crime rate of any Vermont city, while
Chittenden County had the highest among counties.

Vermont farmers take their proposal on the road

A group of Vermonts dairy farmers have proposed a way to end huge
fluctuations in milk prices. The fluctuations proved disastrous in 2006 when milk
plummeted to record lows. In the proposal, farmers would begin a fund, paying 15
cents for every hundred pounds of milk produced. The fund would be used to
market milk internationally and would manage the milk supply. Members of Dairy
Farmers Working Together (DFWT) are travelling the country to promote their
plan. The Calif-based Milk Producers Council has shown support for the plan in
theory. Members of DFWT are visiting various regions to gain support. Senator
Patrick Leahy has commended the groups efforts in trying to work together
nationally. In the past, other regions have opposed policies that have worked for
Vermont and the Northeast. Leahy supports the milk producers in their seeking a
constructive resolution. Other milk councils in California are waiting for research
results from Cornell Universitys agricultural economist before making any
decision. DFWT is travelling to Oregon. They have already met with reps in Florida
and Wisconsin. According to Leahy, Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin is key to
acquiring support in the midwest. The Vermont funding proposal would be
mandatory. A similar voluntary proposal has been successful, but did not do
enough to actually stabilize milk prices.

Vermont may lose some funding for special education

News of Vermont potentially losing up to $25 million in federal funding comes
on the heels of the state already facing potential federal cutbacks in health care
insurance. Vermont state officials are still analyzing this latest set of cutbacks, but
it looks as if the state would lose the substantial federal reimbursements for
services of those enrolled in Medicaid in special education, including physical
therapy and speech language therapy, which enable children to attend public
school. The new rule would also reclassify what is called rehabilitation services,
making it difficult on the school level to receive federal reimbursements. Jason
Gibbs, spokesperson for Gov Jim Douglas has stated that these changes affect
every state in a significant way. Although the state department of education and
health officials are still examining what this might mean, state agencies will likely
file formal objections.

Congress establishes Champlain Quadricentennial
Commission

The US House of Representatives today passed HR 1520, cosponsored by
Representative Peter Welch, establishing the Champlain Quadricentennial
Commemoration Commission to support activities and programming in recognition
of Samuel de Champlain's discovery and exploration of Lake Champlain. The
400th anniversary of his discovery will be celebrated in 2009.

The Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Act of 2007
authorizes $500,000 over the next five years to establish the commission, which
will award grants to communities, non-profit organizations, and local
governments. These grants are designed to promote understanding and
appreciation of Champlains historic accomplishment. The legislation also directs
the commission to work in conjunction with the Lake Champlain Basin Program,
which protects the Lake by coordinating the efforts of federal, state, provincial and
local governments in Vermont, New York and Quebec.

Match-making events held for domestic government
contracts

Twice a year, the Northeast Regional Council hosts the "Small Business
Matchmakers" throughout the Northeast. "Matchmakers" offer small businesses an
opportunity to promote their goods and services to interested prime contractors
and government specialists. The Vermont Procurement Technical Assistance
Center partners with the Regional Council to promote this event to Vermont
companies to help gather information on future government contract
opportunities. The location is the Radisson Nashua Hotel, 11 Tara Boulevard ,
Nashua, NH.

The following events are planned for the Small Business Matchmaker:

10/14 Sunday afternoon : Small Business Training. This session will provide
companies with the needed information to understand the contracting world and
the subcontracting requirements that are expected of the prime contractors and
federal agencies.

Sunday Evening: Networking Reception. This is an evening event that will
allow Prime Contractors and Government Agencies to mix and mingle with small
businesses in a traditional networking venue (appetizers provided).

10/15 Monday: All Day Matchmaker. This is the main event that provides
small businesses with the opportunity to interact with prime contractors and
government agencies in order to discuss contract opportunities. A continental
breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Break out sessions / trainings : Afternoon breakout sessions (eg, GSA
training) will be provided.

10/16 Tuesday: Small Business Liaison Officer Training for prime contractors
only. This intensive day-long course covers the responsibilities of an SBLO,
including Public Laws, Federal Acquisition Regulations, subcontracting plans,
metrics and reporting.

10/17 Wednesday: Will consist of the regular Northeast Regional Council
meeting for prime contractors and council members with outside speakers invited.

Learn more at: http://www.dodneregional.com/next_matchmaker.htm

Conant Metal designs clock installed at UVM

A handsome, high-tech clock designed and fabricated by Steve Conant of
Conant Metal & Light in Burlington was installed recently in the University of
Vermonts Davis Center. The luminous clock, a gift from UVMs graduating class of
2006, is a one-of-a-kind design, new to the clock industry. Strategically situated in
the four-story atrium of the Davis Center, the innovative timepiece is visible from
all floors. The clock, made of welded structural steel, features illuminated
numerals on a transparent face. It is five feet high and finished in UVM green with
18 karat gold-leafed accents. With this patent-pending design, light wicks through
the edge of the face and lights the numbers as if by magic. The clocks
contemporary design compliments the Davis Centers open interior and supports
its LEED certification, the highly-acclaimed energy efficiency rating. As a green
product, the clock runs on a low voltage mechanism. Illumination is provided by a
highly efficient LED light source that draws a mere 24 volts and runs continuously
for many thousands of hours. The new clock was made in Steve Conants
fabrication workshop, Conant Metal & Light, on Pine Street

Addison Chamber holds annual meeting

The Addison County Chamber of Commerce held its 2007 annual meeting
recently at the Waybury Inn in East Middlebury. Awarded that night was the
Citizen of the Year to Joe Sutton of the Waybury Inn. The business of the year
award is given to an area business that has shown a significant improvement in
the development of their business, positively impacting the economy. This years
recipient was Basin Harbor Club of Ferrisburgh. The presidents award is given to
an individual or business who has donated time and effort for the continuing
benefit of the chamber. There were two recipients this year, Steve Misasi of Misasi
& Misasi, PC, and Lyn Gordon.

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