Current News

Ultramotive Corporation, a Bethel-based company in the field of pressurized dispensing technology, recently launched the environmentally-friendly EarthSafe Air Power System, a breakthrough replacement for traditional aerosol cans, as part of its latest global environmental initiative.

The EarthSafe Air Power System uses compressed air as a propellant instead of the customary hydrocarbon gases. The System, the brainchild of Ultramotive founder and President Chris Scheindel, features an innovative valve system, Delbar Piston, and EarthSafe Sealing Plug. Where traditional aerosol cans contained a mixture of the product and hydrocarbon gases sprayed indiscriminately through the nozzle, EarthSafe Air Power System separates the product from the air pressure below that propels it through an innovative valve system.

It is an inexpensive packaging option for the industry in a country where hydrocarbons contribute to air pollution and linger in the environment.

Albert C. DeCiccio, former Academic Dean of Rivier College in Nashua, N.H.,

Named Provost at Southern Vermont College

(Bennington, Vt.) -- Southern Vermont College has selected Albert C. DeCiccio, the former Academic Dean of Rivier College, a Catholic liberal arts college in Nashua, N.H., to fill the newly created post of Provost. He assumed the position as the college's Chief Academic Officer on July 7.

DeCiccio earned his undergraduate degree at Merrimack College in 1974, his master's degree in English from SUNY Albany, and his doctorate in English, Rhetoric and Composition from Arizona State University.

EPA, University of Vermont's Gund Institute Team Up to Develop New Ways to Understand Ecosystem Services

July 8, 2008, Brattleboro, VT - FiberMark, a leading producer of specialty covering materials for a variety of applications including office products, publishing and luxury packaging, is pleased to announce that it has acquired the pressboard business of Brownville Specialty Paper Products, based in Brownville, New York.
Founded in 1991, Brownville Specialty Paper Products (BSPP) manufactures many types of specialty grades of paper board used in multiple applications including food packaging, office products, graphic arts and the automotive industry, among others. FiberMark will integrate BSPP's pressboard grades into its portfolio of office product materials, which include a wide range of pressboards and cover stocks from lightweight to heavyweight for repeat-use applications such as filing, binding and presentation products.
BSPP's owners anticipate a seamless transition to FiberMark while transitioning out of the office products business.

groSolar Acquires Chesapeake Solar
North American Solar Energy Leader Strengthens Mid-Atlantic Base
July 8, 2008 - White River Jct., VT - groSolar, North America's premier provider of solar energy solutions, announced today the acquisition of Chesapeake Solar, a leading installer of solar energy systems in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The acquisition makes groSolar one of the nation's largest solar energy providers and extends the company's reach, enabling groSolar to install more solar solutions on more homes and businesses in its effort to fight climate change and save customers money on energy costs.

Merchants Bank Announces Sale/Lease-Back Agreement of Headquarters
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT-Michael R. Tuttle, President and CEO of Merchants Bank has announced that the Bank entered into two agreements, effecting the sale and lease-back of its principal office, located at 275 Kennedy Drive in South Burlington, Vermont.

Wells River Savings Appoints Judy Lavely Chief Operating Officer
WELLS RIVER, VT-Frank Tilghman, Executive Vice President of Wells River Savings, has announced the promotion of Judy Lavely to Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In making the announcement, Tilghman said, "With the addition of our new offices and the increasing importance of electronic banking, we felt that it was important to bring on a COO who will oversee all operations. Judy, who's been with us for four years, has such a broad background in banking-including as an operations officer-that we knew she'd be the ideal person to step into this new position."

Natick, MA, July 2, 2008 - Better Business Bureau in Eastern MA, ME, RI and VT announced today the winners of the eighth annual Better Business Bureau Local Torch Award for Excellence. The BBB Torch Award honors remarkable businesses committed to promoting ethical business practices.
The four winning businesses for 2008 are: Category 1 (1,000+ employees) – Sun Life Financial of Wellesley Hills, MA Category 2 (100-999 employees) – Gentle Giant Moving Company of Somerville, MA Category 3 (11-99 employees) - Small Dog Electronics of Waitsfield, VT Category 4 (1-10 employees) – The Winters Company of Cambridge, MA
A panel of judges selected these businesses based on a number of criteria including their high standards of excellence towards customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, and the communities in which they do business, as well as their reputation of ethical practices in the marketplace.

Brock announces for Franklin County Senate
Swanton, Vt., July 1 -- Former State Auditor Randy Brock has announced that he will be a candidate for State Senator from Franklin County.
"Now more than ever, we need new, energetic leadership in the Legislature to deal with some of the most serious fiscal challenges that Vermont has ever faced," said Brock. "I am ready to roll up my sleeves to help tackle these issues, and I believe I have the track record of working across party lines to solve real problems."
The Franklin Senate District, in the northwestern corner of the state, is one of Vermonts 13 senate districts. It includes all of Franklin County, except the towns of Montgomery and Richford, as well as the town of Alburgh in Grand Isle County.

REGIONAL AUTO DEALERS TO SUPPLY VEHICLES
FairPoint Communications Spending $15 million
PORTLAND, Maine (June 26, 2008) - FairPoint Communications has entered into agreements with five regional automobile dealerships to purchase motor vehicles as part of its $15 million vehicle purchase and customization plan. Ford F-450 and Ford F-750 trucks will be purchased from Heritage Automotive Group, Inc. in South Burlington, Vermont, Grappone Automotive Group in Concord, New Hampshire, Rowe Ford Sales in Portland, Maine and Whited Ford in Bangor, Maine. These trucks will augment the existing fleet of vehicles used by FairPoint technicians as they bring new voice and high-speed Internet services to customers as well as providing reliable customer service.

State Treasurer Urges Vermonters to Speak Up on Rule Changes on Credit Cards

STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORTS HANK LUNDE IS
STOWE BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Stowe, Vt (July 2,2008) Stowe Area Association named Mt. Mansfield Company Chairman/AIG Stowe Holdings Chairman Hank Lunde as the Stowe Business Person of the Year at their annual meeting and dinner, held at Edson Hill Manor on June 25, 2008.
Lunde was selected not only because of his involvement with the Stowe business community but also for his contribution to the Stowe community at-large over many years. Born and raised in Barre, Hank Lunde graduated from Norwich University with a degree in civil engineering and has served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He has been Mt Mansfield Company's President and CEO since 1997.