Current News

State Agriculture officials announced October 1, 2002, that they have denied the
application by Vermont Egg Farm (VEF) for a proposed expansion that
would have more than doubled the size of its Highgate facility.

In an 8-page finding, the Department cited a number of concerns in denying
the expansion, primarily centering on manure management and its direct
relationship to the potential return of the fly problem that plagued
the facility in its early years of operation.

Following a fourteen year period of vacancy, Pioneer Environmental Associates, LLC, a Vermont-based consulting firm specializing in water resources planning and permitting work, has purchased the former Hannah’s Market building in Vergennes, VT. The purchase of the property has been facilitated by Ed and Bev Biello of Panton VT, who negotiated with the prior owners to sell the property and who maintained contact with the sellers throughout the process. Mr. Biello stated, “This deal is a very happy ending to a long period of neglect with this property. The building now has local ownership who will be more caring about the building and the community.” Representative Connie Houston, R-Ferrisburgh and Courtney Houston, Realtor of Lang Associates, assisted all parties in completing the transaction. According to Rep.

Paul, Frank & Collins is pleased to announce Gail E. Haefner’s inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America. Ms. Haefner joins six of her colleagues,
John Sartore, Michael Frye, Alan Port, Crocker Bennett, Allan Paul and Peter
Collins, in this widely respected publication.
The Best Lawyers in America is based on an exhaustive peer-review
survey of other leading attorneys.
Ms. Haefner concentrates her practice on
Corporate Law, Commercial Law, and Intellectual Property Law. She received her B.A. from the University of
Michigan in 1978 and her J.D. from Cornell Law School in 1985.

The Grafton Homestead, LLC, in Grafton, Vermont has recently expanded its space for guest accommodations, according to Manager Jennifer Karpin. Karpin reports that the Grafton Homestead, which opened in the Summer of 2001, has experienced sufficient bookings this year to
warrant the need for an additional guest room, called the Morning Glory room. “With a cheerful yet subtle morning glory theme, this room’s first floor location and private bath make it a good choice for our older guests or those who have difficulty climbing stairs,” says Karpin.
The Grafton Homestead’s Guest Suite remains most popular with visitors who enjoy its spaciousness and privacy. Over 1000 square feet, the Suite
includes a bedroom, living room, bath and full kitchen, all comfortably furnished with country antiques, upstairs in a circa 1800 historic cape.

Lake Champlain Chocolates (LCC) has revamped their website, www.lakechamplainchocolates.com, focusing on e-commerce for consumers. The new site features over 80 gourmet chocolate products, ranging from boxes of truffles to Belgian chocolate bars, hot chocolate to dessert sauces. Consumers experience a streamlined shopping experience with unprecedented flexibility in navigating the site.
Website visitors can take a virtual factory tour, as well as learn about cocoa bean harvesting and roasting. Users can also recommend recipes or products to friends with just a few clicks. Other features include a calendar of when to give chocolates, chocolate tips & terms, factory tour information, company news & history, corporate gift program information, and a list of retail stores that carry Lake Champlain Chocolates. Wholesalers and hotels can also directly request information.

Throughout the busy foliage season those who serve
tourists are faced with last minute travelers looking for a place to stay.
The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing launched a new tool in mid-September that will assist the tourism industry in connecting travelers and lodging properties. This simple, online system allows any lodging establishment in the state to post and update their current room availability throughout the day.
As of September 26, as many as 150 Vermont lodging properties were logging on daily to enter the current room availability. "We think it's
very exciting to have this service, which lets travelers and innkeepers find each other immediately. It really works; it's a wonderful idea," said Jennifer Karpin, manager at The Grafton Homestead.
The listings are immediately available to staff at Vermont Information and Welcome Centers, Regional Marketing Organizations, chambers of

Northern Benefits, Ltd
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Merchants Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph L. Boutin today announced the appointment of Darcy L. Cunningham to the position of branch president of the bank’s Winooski office. Cunningham succeeds Darlene Cooper, who is preparing for a direct role in the Bank’s retail banking expansion plans. Cunningham will assume her duties as branch president on October 15, 2002, leading the branch staff that includes Customer Service Representatives Cindy Gilhooly, Kelley Kimball, Lisa Dudley, and Marina Kaye.
“Darcy is a fine example of Merchants Bank’s idea of a community banker,” said Joseph L. Boutin. “She provides outstanding service to her commercial and retail customers and has built strong relationships in her community. I am confident that our Winooski customers will benefit from her expertise and her commitment to the community banking ideal.”

The federal government has renewed two grants that enable the Vermont Student Assistance Corp. (VSAC) to help disadvantaged Vermonters prepare for education beyond high school. The grants normally run for four years, but a perfect score on one of its applications qualified VSAC for a five-year grant. The awards are:
· $1.9 million over four years for the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) program, which serves adult students.
· $2.2 million over five years for the Talent Search program, which serves students in grades 6 through 12.

The Equinox Resort has announced the
appointment of Courtney Lowe as Director of Sales and Marketing. He comes to the Resort from the Boar's Head Inn in Charlottesville Virginia where he served in the same capacity. "We are fortunate to have attracted someone of Courtney's caliber." said Resort General Manager Gary Thulander. "His enthusiasm is infectious. Courtney's knowledge of the region, coupled with his marketing and sales acumen will help us take the Resort to the next level. It's all part of our quest to be the number one Resort in New England."
This is a homecoming of sorts for Courtney. He worked at the Equinox as Director of Sales between 1992 and 1998. "It very exciting for me to have the opportunity to return to the Equinox." commented Lowe. "We have family
and friends in the area. Personally, I'm looking forward to being closer to them. Professionally, my goal is to bring the Equinox Resort to a new

The Community Economic Development Program of Central Vermont Community Action Council is please to announce the opening of the new Vermont Women’s Business Center. Housed at Woodbury College, the center will provide business counseling services and technological assistance for women owned businesses or for women considering starting their own business.
In partnership with the Small Business Administration, the center will serve a diverse population of women from all across the State of Vermont to help them develop their business skills. It will provide individual counseling, classes, and internet-based support. Additionally, the center will offer a series of network luncheons, roundtable, and other network events in locations around the state to provide ongoing education and support for growing business.

Granite Hills Credit Union announced the expansion of its Community Charter to Orange County. Already open to anyone who lives or
works in Washington County, the Credit Union recently received approval from Vermont's Department of Banking and Insurance to offer its services to anyone who lives or works in Orange County.
"In this highly competitive marketplace, we see this as a positive step towards insuring the continuity and viability of the Credit Union," said Granite Hills CEO Susan Poczobut. "We look forward to providing our own personalized brand of financial products to the folks in Orange County."
Granite Hills Credit Union offers a wide array of personal financial products and services, including free checking, savings, money market
accounts, debit and credit cards, low-rate vehicle loans, home loans, online banking, electronic bill pay and a network of close to 100 Falcon® ATMs throughout Vermont.