Current News

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.

VEDA APPROVES $8.3 MILLION IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FINANCING
Montpelier, VT (June 30) - The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has approved $8.3 million in business development financing to support commercial, agricultural and small business projects throughout Vermont. The approved projects total $22.8 million.
"We are pleased to help leverage a significant amount of private financing through the Authority's investment in these business development and expansion projects," said VEDA's Chief Executive Officer Jo Bradley.
Among the projects approved for financing are:

The sofi Awards from the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) honor the best food and beverages that the specialty food trade has to offer.

Senate Pro Tem Shumlin and Speaker Symington appoint Arnie Gundersen and Peter Bradford to Public Oversight Panel
Montpelier, Vt (July 1, 2008) - Senate Pro Tem Peter Shumlin and Speaker Gaye
Symington today made their appointments to Public Oversight Panel for
the Comprehensive Vertical Inspection of Vermont Yankee. Senate Pro Tem
Shumlin appointed Arnie Gundersen of Burlington, Vt and Speaker
Symington appointed Peter Bradford of Peru, Vt.
The Oversight Panel was established by the legislature to ensure
transparency and public involvement in the independent inspection of the
Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant required by the S.364 of the 2008
session. The Panel will provide its assessment of the inspection and
condition of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power station to the Vermont
Legislature by January 30, 2009, prior to a key vote on whether the

Green Mountain Power's SolarGMP
Approved by Vermont Public Service Board
New solar incentive takes effect July 1
COLCHESTER, Vt. (July 1, 2008) --- Green Mountain Power's groundbreaking new approach to accelerate the adoption of solar energy by Vermont homes and businesses has been approved by the Vermont Public Service Board. The program became available July 1, 2008.
"We are so pleased that our customers will now receive the appropriate financial incentive to install solar generation at their homes and businesses," said Mary Powell, incoming president and chief executive officer of Green Mountain Power. "SolarGMP will help increase the amount of renewable energy resources powering Vermont in the future."

Vermont Charter Company Expands Fleet,
Adds Non-Stop Service to West Coast, Caribbean, Europe
Longer Routes Continue to be Popular
BURLINGTON, VT (July 1, 2008) - Heritage Flight has added another, larger jet to its fleet, enabling the Vermont-based charter airline and aircraft management company to expand its menu of non-stop destinations.
With the addition of a sleek Canadair Challenger 604, Heritage can now transport passengers from Burlington, Montreal, Boston, Albany and elsewhere in the northeastern U.S. and southern Quebec directly to such popular locations as Las Vegas and California, Mexican and Caribbean resorts, and even Europe.
Heritage had previously offered non-stop service to most of these destinations with a Canadair Challenger 601, which it parted with in 2007. The newly acquired Challenger 604 represents a technology and comfort upgrade - in addition, the jet's range is about 500 miles longer than that of the 601.

Jay, VT (July 1, 2008) - After nearly 25 years of leading Jay Peak as President and Chief Operating Officer, Bill Stenger, along with a group of private investors, has purchased the northern Vermont Resort-located just a few miles south of the Canadian border.
"The sale of Jay Peak is a very positive transition-not only from the perspective of our employees and guests, but from that of the entire community of Jay Peak stakeholders. Our entire ownership and management team is very excited to move Jay Peak forward toward a higher level of service and quality." said Stenger.
Mont Saint Sauver International (MSSI), an owner and operator of Canadian-based ski resorts, had owned the Resort since 1978. Stenger had been working on the developing sale and transition since the early fall of 2007.