Current News

Instrument (IM) is a new, creative network of individuals and small firms dedicated to providing a full menu of marketing services while still offering the benefits of independent providers. Until now these independent, freelance providers had a tough time finding work and marketing themselves to the right channels. And many potential clients had no way of knowing what these talented individuals and small firms had to offer in terms of creative services. Instrument has created an organized framework around these creative service providers, and provided an outlet for their artistic and marketing abilities.

What do Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Cabot Creamery, and Wild Apple Graphics have in common? These outstanding businesses have all received the Deane C. Davis Award for their meaningful commitment to employees, community, corporate productivity, and the environment.
Nominations are now being accepted for the Thirteenth Annual Deane C. Davis award, co-sponsored by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Business Magazine. The winner will be unveiled at the May 21, 2003 opening ceremony of northern New England’s largest business-to-business trade show, the annual Vermont Chamber of Commerce Business and Industry Exposition (EXPO). Three award finalists are profiled in the May issue of Vermont Business Magazine.

Karen Kane, of Cambridge, Vermont, announced the
national launch of Paris by Design, a travel consulting service
specializing in personalized Paris itineraries. The company creates Paris
vacations for individuals, couples, families and small groups according to
specific interests, including art, architecture, gastronomy and gardening.
Kane is a former Paris resident, and her advice on where to eat, sleep,
shop and stroll in the City of Light translates to effortless travel. But
knowledge isn't the company's only point fort. Kane is committed to
providing personalized service. "International travel can be challenging
and expensive," notes Kane, and Paris doesn't reveal itself easily. I've
been studying and exploring Paris for more than 30 years. My intimate
knowledge and deep love for the city ensure that visitors receive a unique
view of Paris and an extraordinary value for their travel dollars and

Vermonters are part of the rising tide of enthusiasm nationwide
for "529" college investment programs (named after a provision in the
Internal Revenue Service code). Enrollment in Vermont's 529 plan, the
Vermont Higher Education Investment Plan, rose to 2,378 accounts in 2002,
an increase of 74.5 percent from 2001. Investments in the plan were valued
at more than $15 million at the close of 2002, compared with $8 million a
year before. The state's college investment vehicle has proven popular
with residents because of several key features:
* Earnings on withdrawals
used for qualified higher education expenses are free of federal and state
income tax.
* Students have flexibility to use the funds at nearly all
colleges in the United States and some abroad.
* The minimum required to
contribute is only $25 at a time or $15 per pay period by payroll
deduction.

In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local residents, Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless provider, has expanded its digital network in Vermont, with a new cell site. The new site, located on an existing silo, provides improved coverage and capacity in Ferrisburg along Route 7.
The new site is part of the company's aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless voice and data services, like two-way text messaging and Internet access, in New England.

Vermont Chamber of Commerce President Chris Barbieri announced that Sue Kruthers has accepted the position of Vermont Chamber Vice President of Government Relations. As the chief lobbyist for the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, she will lead the Vermont Chamber five-member lobbying team in representing the business interests of over 1,500 members statewide.
“Sue Kruthers is a natural choice for the job,” stated Vermont Chamber Chairman of the Board Carl Spangler. “She has worked vigorously and effectively on behalf of the business community for decades.”
Formerly the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Travel & Tourism, Kruthers is intimately familiar with state house people and issues. She has spent her career advancing the interests of travel and tourism in the state of Vermont, first in the ski industry, then for the Vermont Chamber.

Vermont's first digital TV channel has made its debut. Thanks to matching
funds from the state of Vermont and the federal government, Vermont Public
Television began service on Wednesday, Jan. 15, from its new digital
channel 24 on Mt. Ascutney in Windsor, which serves southeastern Vermont
and bordering areas of New Hampshire. The current analog service on
channel 41 will continue.
Eventually, digital television will be the national standard. By federal
law, all TV stations in the U.S. are required to convert to the digital
format. They will continue to broadcast in the analog format through
2006. VPT’s digital conversion ensures that it complies with the mandate.
VPT's president and CEO, John King, says, "Beyond meeting the legal
obligation so that we can continue to operate, our conversion to digital
will bring VPT viewers a wealth of new services. Digital is a technology

Green Mountain Power (NYSE: GMP)announced its introduction of a new monthly renewable energy service,
CoolHomesm, that will enable its customers to take action in the fight
against global warming. Voluntary charitable donations will help to build
Vermont methane generators and other renewable energy projects, which will
reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
"We've made it very simple for customers to do something that works every
day to fight global warming," said Stephen C. Terry, Green Mountain
Power's Senior Vice President of Corporate and Legal Affairs. "Now our
customers who are concerned about global warming can choose to include a
contribution to the non-profit Clean Air-Cool Planet on their Green
Mountain Power bill each month. Our electricity supply is already
unusually low in emissions. Now our customers can choose to lessen the

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Vermont 100+ List of Largest Companies

C&S leads list again, but probably for last time

BURLINGTON – In its January 2003 issue, Vermont Business Magazine has released
its 17th annual Vermont 100+ list of the states largest companies ranked by revenues.
Once again, C&S Wholesale Grocers in Brattleboro topped the list, but probably for the
last time. C&S reported $9.7 billion in sales in 2002. C&S is the only billion-dollar
company in Vermont; it grew by $1.2 billion since last year. However, C&S announced
early last year that it would move its corporate headquarters to Keene, NH, probably
sometime in 2003. At that point, C&S would no longer qualify.

Fletcher Allen Health Care announced that it has named John K. Evans as interim chief operating officer.
Evans, 47, a 1977 graduate of the University of Vermont, brings 25 years of health care administration experience to Fletcher Allen having held a series of executive level positions at hospitals in the Connecticut area over the last 15 years and having spent 10 years in health care administration in the U.S. Army medical department.
In his role at Fletcher Allen, Evans will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization and will report directly to Edwin Colodny, interim chief executive officer. He is scheduled to begin work on January 13.
"I am delighted that we have been able to bring John Evans to Fletcher Allen," said Ed Colodny. "John is an experienced health care administrator with strong ties to Vermont. He has extensive experience coordinating the operations of large hospitals in support of patient care."

This month, the Vermont Mentoring Partnership (VMP)leads the state into Mentoring Month, created to recognize the importance of mentoring nationwide. VMP, an organization connecting youth and adults in mentoring programs throughout Vermont, is taking the opportunity to honor Vermont mentors’ dedication and strong sense of community service. VMP currently supports 136 mentor programs statewide, serving over 2,000 youth.
The theme for National Mentoring Month is "Who mentored you? Thank them ... and pass it on! Mentor a child." The philosophy behind "Who mentored you?" is to encourage individuals to recognize the importance of mentoring by inspiring them to think about people in their own lives– family members, teachers, coaches, clergy, neighbors– who provided support, and helped them learn and become who they are today.

The SBA is proud to announce the launch of the SBAExchange Pilot Program, an electronic tool designed to facilitate small business purchasing opportunities with the government sector. With SBAExchange, government agencies can award purchase acquisitions up to $100,000 and make payments with a government-wide commercial purchasing card.
SBAExchange will help small businesses compete for purchases that are currently being obtained through other contracting methods.
To participate, small businesses must obtain an Internet-based Supplier Web Site from www.SBAExchange.gov. Through the Supplier Web Site, a small business will receive the following benefits:
a fully hosted, supplier-branded e-commerce website;

an electronic catalog;

a centralized order management system for receiving and processing Internet-based orders from
federal, state, local and commercial buying authorities;