Current News

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DISTRIBUTED ENERGY COMBINING NORTHERN POWER & PROTON ENERGY
TO STRENGTHEN OPERATIONS, REDUCE COST
WALLINGFORD, CT, January 31, 2007 -- Distributed Energy Systems Corp. (NASDAQ: DESC), today announced it will combine its two subsidiaries Northern Power Systems and Proton Energy Systems -- to reduce cost and strengthen systems sales, engineering, production, service and technology development.

by tim

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

by tim

Peak Pitch 07 Gives Entrepreneurs a Lift
We invite entrepreneurs to tune their skis- and their pitch!
Middlebury, VT & Bolton, VTJanuary 15, 2007FreshTracks Capital announces the return of Peak Pitch Vermont on March 1st, an event that gives entrepreneurs and investors an opportunity to network on the slopes of the Bolton Valley Resort. Peak Pitch brings entrepreneurs and investors together for a unique version of the classic "elevator pitch." In the traditional elevator pitch, entrepreneurs take advantage of an unexpected opportunity to share an elevator ride with a potential investor and present their business idea.

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BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF VERMONT ANNOUNCES DISTINGUISHED EMPLOYEE FOR NOVEMBER 2006
Berlin, VT Mike McAdams, a resident of Orange, VT, has been chosen as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermonts distinguished employee for the month of November 2006.
Mr. McAdams is a maintenance crew member in the facilities department and has been with Blue Cross and Blue Shield for nearly thirteen years. He is cited for his can-do attitude, his willingness to help in any situation, and his dedication to his co-workers and the facility. A co-worker stated, With all of his hard work in the past and his continued contributions, Mike is a very suitable candidate for Employee of the Month.

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MONTPELIER, Vt. -- A partnership of state and federal entities is teaming up to provide small businesses a unique opportunity to discover their true love: More customers.
The Vermont Agency of Transportation and Department of Economic Development, the U.S. Small Business Administration; and the Vermont Small Business Development Center are presenting their fourth annual Strategies for Winning Government Contracts event on Feb. 1.
The highlight of the day is the matchmaker sessions that allow Vermont businesses to introduce their firms and products in one-on-one, ten-minute appointments with various state and federal agencies as well as large companies who already contract with the government.
We like to call it, speed dating for businesses, said Greg Maguire, who runs the Vermont Procurement Technical Assistance Center, formerly the Government Marketing Assistance Center, at the Vermont Department of Economic Development.

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Randolph Center, VT -- The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) has announced the election of manufacturing executives John Goodrich and Scott McCreary to their Advisory Board. In addition, Board Member and manufacturer Mike Rainville has been elected Chairperson of the 12-member Board for 2007.

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South Burlington, January 24, 2007---Overall, Vermont CEOs are confident about the economyexpecting sales, capital spending, and employment to increase in the coming six months, according to a quarterly survey conducted by the Vermont Business Roundtable.

Since the last quarterly survey, the number of CEOs predicting a rise in sales climbed six percentage points to 73 percent. Fifty-six percent of respondents forecast a rise in capital spending, compared with 40 percent in the third-quarter. The number of CEOs expecting to add employees jumped 23 percent in the 4th quarter, landing at 53 percent.

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Governors Budget Address

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

THE VERMONT WAY FORWARD

A Responsibility for Affordability

Mr. President, Madame Speaker, Members of the General Assembly, fellow Vermonters:

Im pleased today to present a responsible, balanced, and compassionate budget.

This budget adheres to our long-held devotion to fiscal responsibility and is designed to meet the many competing
demands we face without raising taxes. And it demonstrates my personal commitment to establishing more
responsible and sustainable increases in spending across all areas of government.

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Efficiency Vermont has been named U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development 2006 Partner of the Year. Efficiency Vermont was chosen to receive this award for its promotion of rural economic development through energy conservation. Efficiency Vermont was recognized for playing an essential role in helping businesses throughout Vermont secure funding from USDA Rural Development's Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency grant and loan programs. Efficiency Vermont is currently operated by Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, a non-profit organization based in Burlington since 1986.
Efficiency Vermont was created by the Vermont Legislature and the Vermont Public Service Board to help all Vermonters reduce energy costs, strengthen the economy and protect Vermont's environment. Vermont Energy Investment Corporation is under contract to the Vermont Public Service Board. For more information, contact Efficiency Vermont at 1-888-921-5990 or visit efficiencyvermont.com

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American Flatbread Company, Waitsfield, VT, is pleased to announce the hiring of Victor Morrison for the position of President. After a 4-month search, involving nearly 50 applicants, Morrisons 20 years of Vermont management experience in both business and non-profit organizations earned him the role.
"Victor's diversified management background, MBA, strong financial experience and emphasis on relationship building and empowerment are a great combination. In the handful of meetings we have had thus far, our communication and teamwork have been very rewarding," said George Schenk, founder and now "former" president of American Flatbread Company. With the installation of Victor Morrison as President, Schenk will remain vitally involved as the CEO of American Flatbread Company. The company has four primary facets: wholesale production of frozen flatbreads, company owned restaurants, restaurant franchising, and the Inn at Lareau Farm.

by tim

January 19, 2007 03/07

CHITTENDEN TO ACQUIRE MERRILL MERCHANTS BANCSHARES, INC.

Burlington, VT -- Chittenden Corporation (NYSE: CHZ) and Merrill Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
(NASDAQ: MERB) (Merrill), announced today that they signed a definitive merger agreement
whereby Chittenden will acquire Merrill and its subsidiary, Merrill Merchants Bank, for
approximately $111.4 million in cash and stock. Consummation of the agreement is subject to
the approval of the shareholders of Merrill, as well as various regulatory agencies.
The
acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2007. Following the completion of the
transaction, Merrill Merchants Bank will operate as a separate unit of Chittenden Corporation,
maintaining its name and senior management team.

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Chittenden Corporation Reports Increased Earnings Per Share, and Announces
New Share Repurchase Plan

Burlington, VT Chittenden Corporation (NYSE:CHZ) Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Paul A. Perrault, today announced higher earnings for the year ended December 31,
2006 of $85.5 million or $1.83 per diluted share, compared to $82.0 million or $1.74 per diluted
share a year ago. For the fourth quarter of 2006, net income was $22.5 million or $0.48 per
diluted share, compared to $21.8 million or $0.46 per diluted share earned in the fourth quarter of
2005.