Current News

RUTLAND, Vt. – Central Vermont Public Service has selected Rutland and Royalton companies to build the first major solar project in the state to feed power exclusively onto the grid, rather than use it on-site.
CVPS has selected CV Solar and Wind, a small Rutland company, and ReKnew Energy Systems Inc. of South
Royalton to build the 50-kilowatt solar array along Route 7, just south of the black water tower near the CVPS Rutland District Service Center.
“This project will not only provide clean, renewable energy and give CVPS first-hand experience with PV technology, but due to its location just feet from Route 7 in Rutland Town, it will become a tremendous educational tool,” CVPS President Bob Young said. “CV Solar and Wind and ReKnew were selected as the contractors for their technical skill and experience, and their dedication to making this project a ‘classroom’ for Vermonters of all ages.”

Jeff Wolfe, CEO of groSolar of White River Junction, Vt., was invited to the White House last Friday (February 6, 2009) for President Obama's unveiling of his new Economic Recovery Advisory Board. He joined some 60 other business leaders in the East Room to witness the installation of the 15-member board, led by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volker, which will help guide the economic stimulus package.
"We're pleased to be part of the solution," Wolfe said today. He and his wife, Dorothy, both engineers, launched groSolar from their Vermont home 10 years ago out of their commitment to energy independence and helping reverse global warming. Last year, groSolar had $57 million in sales. "An invitation to the White House is a testament to the hard work and vision of all groSolar employees, as well as to the growing awareness that solar energy is the right solution in these difficult times," Wolfe said.

Morrisville, VT On February 9, 2009, Chittenden Bank will open its newest full-service branch at 19 Morrisville Plaza. This location will replace the existing branch that currently resides inside the Price Chopper Supermarket, which is also located within the Morrisville Plaza. The new branch will offer many features to customers, staff, and the community. These benefits include: Two Drive-up Windows, a Drive-up ATM, convenient Banking hours Monday through Saturday, Safe Deposit Boxes, private office space for face to face customer service, and a customer waiting area.
On Monday we are moving into our new branch in the Morrisville Plaza and closing our existing branch inside the Price Chopper. The people that we serve are our friends, neighbors, and family members. We are so pleased to be able to offer them all the convenient and customer friendly features of a full-service banking office, said Chittenden Bank Market Manager Deanna Wood.

BRATTLEBORO, VT The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) announces its fourth annual Business Plan Competition, which again will include two entry categories and multiple prizes totaling more than $40,000.
For the Existing Business category, the top prize will be $12,000, the second-place prize will be $6,000, and the prizes for up to four runners-up will be $2,000 each. For the New Business category, the top prize will be $6,000, the second-place prize will be $3,000, and the prizes for up to four runners-up will be $1,500 each. The premise behind the Business Plan Competition is to help raise awareness in the community about small business and entrepreneurship, and to encourage new business development by helping interested community members develop viable business plans, gain public attention, and earn financial rewards.

Howard Dean, former Vermont governor and recent chair of the Democratic National Committee, will deliver the commencement address at the University of Vermont's 205th commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 17, 2009. The university will present Dean with an honorary degree at the event.

Although Congress has passed legislation to allow TV stations to extend their analog broadcasts until June, local stations in Vermont and northeastern New York plan to shut off analog broadcasts on the original deadline of midnight February 17. Stations WCAX (Channel 3), WFFF (Channel 44), WNNE (Channel 31), WPTZ (Channel 5), WVNY(Channel 22), Mountain Lake PBS (Channel 57) and Vermont Public Television (Channels 33, 20, 28 and 41) looked at the high level of readiness of the local market and the confusion a delay could bring and decided to stay with the February date.

Burlington, Vt.--With snow piled high and winds from the north keeping temperatures at record lows, it's hard to imagine that spring will ever arrive! We remain optimistic when it comes to both the weather and the economic climate as we plan our Spring Job Fair on Monday, March 30th.

Central Vermont Public Service met all of its service quality standards for 2008, the fourth straight year the company achieved that goal. Given the tremendous challenges Mother Nature dealt, I am proud of how our employees performed, President Bob Young said today. Not only did we meet all the customer service goals, but we met the reliability goals despite trying weather patterns.
CVPS, Vermont s largest utility with about 158,000 customers, has 17 service quality measures known as SERVE standards. SERVE stands for Serving Everyone with Reliability, Value and Excellence.
The company measures and reports to state regulators on everything from how quickly customer care representatives answer phones to bill accuracy, customer service, outage numbers and duration, and safety. All Vermont utilities have specific service quality standards and must report the results regularly to state officials. Penalties can be imposed for failure to meet the standards.

The Boulder Outdoor Specialty Group, a collection of six of the best known and best loved brands in the outdoor world, will retain Pale Morning Media of Waitsfield as their public relations Agency of Record.
Effective January 1, 2009, Pale Morning Media will be the official representative of Kelty, Kelty K.I.D.S., Sierra Designs, Ultimate Direction, Slumberjack and Wenger.
We have stories of innovation, value and heritage that need to be told. Pale Morning Media has the ability, perspective and experience to help us tell those stories, said Kenny Ballard, president of the Boulder Outdoor Specialty Group.
Though based in the Green Mountain state, Pale Morning Media has deep roots in Boulder. In addition to representing Kelty and Kelty K.I.D.S. since 2002, Pale Morning Media founder Drew Simmons calls Boulder his hometown.

Marking 19 consecutive quarters of growth, Bruegger's Enterprises, Inc. has announced revenue for comparable sales grew 6.6 percent at company locations and 6.9 percent system-wide for the fourth quarter ending December 30, 2008. For the 2008 fiscal year, same store sales increased 4.2 percent for the company and 3.9 percent for the system, aided by one extra week versus 2007. Bruegger's gross sales reached $198.9 million system wide in 2008; an 11.3 percent rise over the same period in 2007.
"Hitting the mark of reaching our 19th consecutive quarter of sales increase was indeed an accomplishment," said Bruegger's Chief Executive Officer Jim Greco. "By focusing in on our core values of providing great service, great food and great value, we were able to continue to build sales in spite of the economy. It is a testament to the entire Bruegger's team and our loyal following."
New Menu Items and Locations

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. today announced the launch of Energy$ense, a multi-faceted initiative to help local nonprofits and its Citizens Bank and Charter One customers address heat, utility and other energy costs.
As part of the program, Citizens is providing more than $500,000 in energy assistance grants to homeless shelters and non-profit organizations that offer home weatherization and utility payment assistance to consumers. Through its Citizens Bank and Charter One divisions, the company also is providing below market-rate loans to eligible consumers who want to make their homes more energy efficient, with a limited-time option to defer their first payment for 90 days.

Booth registration for the 25th Annual Vermont Business and Industry EXPO is open and booths are selling quickly! The trade show is scheduled for May 20 & 21, at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington, Vermont. In today's economy, your company cannot afford to hide in the shadows. Get in front of the business community and use EXPO as your key marketing vehicle for 2009.
The Vermont Business and Industry EXPO is northern New England's largest business-to-business trade show attracting over 3,000 business leaders during the two day exposition. Nearly 200 exhibitors and themed pavilions fill the two floors of EXPO. In addition to EXPO's spectacular line up of educational seminars, award ceremonies and networking opportunities, you can expect new, special additions to celebrate 25 years of creating connections.