Current News

Scudder Parker Files for Governors Race
MONTPELIER, Vt. Scudder Parker, a veteran public servant who grew up on
his familys Vermont dairy farm, emerged as the leading Democratic
candidate for governor on Thursday by filing to enter the 2006 campaign.
Parker visited the Vermont Secretary of States office to submit papers
officially indicating his intention to run for governor. A formal campaign
announcement and kickoff will be scheduled in October.
A former state senator who also worked for Democratic and Republican
governors, Parker said his many years of public service and his vision for
Vermont qualify him to be the states next leader.
August in Vermont is a time for family, swimming, baseball and fairs
not necessarily politics, said Parker, 62, who lives in Montpelier with
his wife, Susan Sussman. But Vermonters should know that Im now at work

ROUNDTABLE RELEASES THIRD QUARTER, 2005
CEO ECONOMIC OUTLOOK SURVEY RESULTS

South Burlington, VT - Results from the Roundtable's Third Quarter, 2005 CEO Economic Outlook Survey, show that business executives are expecting increases in both sales and capital expenditures over the coming six months, while employment levels will remain virtually unchanged from the previous reporting period.

Chris Dutton, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power, is a member of the Vermont Business Roundtable. When asked to comment on his CEO Economic Outlook Survey responses, Dutton said, "The economy is strong in our service area. As we look ahead we expect increased sales. Additionally, the company expects to increase capital spending to make sure that our electric service is reliable, as that is what our customers value the most."

MEDIA RELEASE
August 3, 2005
Contacts:
VELCO
David Mace, Process Owner, External Communications
Phone: (802) 770-6367
Pager: (802) 742-3250
Vermont Department of Labor
Scott Meyer, Program Manager Project WorkSAFE
1-888-SAFE-YES (1-888-723-3937)
VELCO applauded for workplace safety and health efforts
For Immediate Release: Aug. 3, 2005
RUTLAND, Vt. Vermonts electric transmission utility has become the fourth Vermont company to be federally recognized for its safety efforts, the Vermont Department of Labor announced Wednesday.
The Vermont Electric Power Co., Inc., also known as VELCO, formally joined the federal Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) during a ceremony at the companys Rutland headquarters.

KEANE AND NATIONAL LIFE GROUP ACHIEVE CMM LEVEL-3 CERTIFICATION

RANDOLPH CENTER, VT -- July 25, 2005 -- The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) Fall Public Workshop Schedule is now available online and registration is open at the VMEC web site (www.vmec.org).

Some of the workshops Vermont manufacturers can attend this season are Principles of Lean Manufacturing 101, The 5S Visual System, and Office Value Stream Mapping. The workshops will be presented in various locations throughout the state. The workshops schedule is constantly being updated to meet the needs of Vermont manufacturers, so visit the web site for the most up-to-date information.

by Kevin Kelley Vermont Business Magazine The co-founder of one of Vermont's fastest growing manufacturing companies has sold the business to its top two executives.

Sonnax, a Bellow Falls automotive parts maker recently named Vermont's Exporter of the Year, changed hands for an undisclosed sum in a deal announced last week. Neil Joseph, who founded the company with his father in 1978, made the sale along with minority shareholder David Landa.

The new owners are Tommy Harmon and David Bedard, who had worked, respectively, as chief operating officer and vice president of sales and marketing. Harmon, who becomes president and CEO, had formed a 50-50 partnership with Bedard, now the company's chief operating officer.

"We really saw this as a great opportunity for my partner and me to continue growing the business," Harmon said.

Champlain Cable Corporation: Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence July 31, 2005 in Colchester Vermont.
Champlain Cable celebrates 50 years of excellence on July 31, 2005 from 1:00PM to 5:00PM, at its manufacturing facility. This is an open house for suppliers, business associates and employees past and present.
Champlain Cable has been and continues to be a successful leader in the Wire and Cable Industry and is proud to tell their story of how and why it has remained vibrant and innovative for the past 50 years. Standing the test of time Champlain Cable has been operating in the same small town in Northwestern Vermont for 50 years and under the same roof for the last 42 years.

SPIKE ADVERTISING WINS VERMONT ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS AWARD
FOR NORTHFIELD SAVINGS BANK RADIO SPOTS
Burlington--June 17,2004--Spike Advertising was recently honored by
the Vermont Association of Broadcasters for their 60-second radio
spot, "When Pigs Fly" which was produced for Northfield Savings Bank.
The spot depicts a radio exchange between an air force pilot and his
controller, wherein the pilot encounters a &flock of flying pigs. The
concept behind the campaign (running on radio, print, direct mail, and
bus boards) is to underscore that NSB donates 10% or profits to Vermont
community organizations.
"We've had a lot of fun developing story lines inspired by flying
pigs and,
there's a lot more where this came from," says Spike president, Ken
Millman. The latest spot features a cow auditioning for the role if
flying pig. (The cow states with pride that her ancestor jumped over

Access Energy to Build Major Clean Energy Plant in Ludlow

U.S. Department of Labor Announces $1.6 Million to Train Vermont Workers
for
Careers in the IT Industry
WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao has announced a
grant
of nearly $1.6 million to train workers for careers in the information
technology (IT) industry. The grant, awarded to the Vermont Governor's
IT
Training Initiative, is part of a training effort funded under the
President's High Growth Job Training Initiative, a strategic plan that
emphasizes partnerships to prepare workers for jobs in America's fastest
growing and economically vital industries.
"Vermont's information technology sector needs skilled workers," said
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "This nearly $1.6 million grant will
help
workers with mentoring, internships, apprenticeships and other
supportive
services that will help them get jobs and succeed in this industry."

Mount Snow Completes Sale of Haystack
MOUNT SNOW, VERMONT - June 30, 2005 - Mount Snow Ltd. has announced that
it has completed the sale of Haystack Ski Resort in Wilmington, Vermont to
a
group of local businesspersons known collectively as Tyringham Ridge.
This is great news for community residents and businesses, said Stan
Hansen, President and Managing Director of Mount Snow Ltd. Were hoping
that this investment triggers further investment within our Valley.

Entered into on March 30, the Purchase and Sale Agreement provided for a
$5,000,000 purchase price and included a two year right of first refusal
on
certain non-operational lands owned by Mount Snow.
This transaction allows us to fully concentrate our efforts on Mount
Snow,
while encouraging Haystack to realize its full potential, commented
Hansen.
The synergy were working towards achieving is exciting.

Sara Burczy joins Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont
as the new Wellness and Community Outreach Coordinator