Current News

The Vermont International Business Council (VIBC), a standing committee of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, is accepting nominations for the 2006 Exporter of the Year. Given to a company that has contributed significantly to Vermonts international trade stature, the prestigious Exporter of the Year award recognizes the hard work, performance, innovation, and vision Vermont companies display when competing in the global marketplace.
Elements of exporting may include: the direct sale of products and services; creating jobs in the international sector; marketing Vermont as a destination for overseas visitors; and increasing foreign student enrollment at Vermonts educational institutions. Companies may nominate themselves. Parent companies, subsidiaries, and/or divisions of other companies are eligible.
Criteria used in consideration of this award include:
* International trade marketing strategies
* Overcoming barriers (legal, cultural, linguistic)

Nominations are now being accepted for the Sixteenth Annual Deane C. Davis Outstanding Business of the Year Award, co-sponsored by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Business Magazine. The winner will be unveiled at the May 24, 2006, opening ceremony of the regions largest business-to-business trade show, the annual Vermont Chamber of Commerce Business and Industry EXPO. Three award finalists will be profiled in the May issue of Vermont Business Magazine.
Nominations may come from the business itself, another business, a government agency, or an interested individual. Named after former Governor Deane C. Davis (1900-1990), the prestigious award reflects a simple yet meaningful tenet that Davis brought to the Governors office: business and satisfied employees enhance the economy and help the environment.

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce is very pleased to announce plans to merge the activities of the Vermont Lodging and Restaurant Association (VLRA) into the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
The Vermont Chamber was chosen by the VLRA Board of Directors through a competitive bid and interview process involving a number of candidate organizations.
Vermont Chamber Chairman of the Board Jim Pratt stated, This joining of forces is good for Vermont Chamber members, good for VLRA members, and good for Vermont business.
The merger presents many new opportunities including a stronger, more comprehensive front representing all hospitality business interests at the State House. Other new projects may include enhanced niche marketing specifically on behalf of the Vermont hospitality industry.

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Executive Summary
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Hudson United Bancorp and TD Banknorth Inc. Shareholders Approve Merger
Over 98% of Votes Cast In Favor of Transaction by Hudson United Shareholders
PORTLAND, Maine (January 11, 2006) TD Banknorth Inc. (NYSE: BNK) shareholders voted at a special meeting today to approve the acquisition of Hudson United Bancorp (NYSE: HU). More than 99% of the votes cast were voted in favor of the transaction. In a separate meeting held in Mahwah, New Jersey, the shareholders of Hudson United Bancorp also voted heavily in favor of sale to TD Banknorth. Over 98% of the votes cast by Hudson United shareholders were in favor of the transaction.
Pending approval by the Federal Reserve, the transaction is expected to close later in the first quarter of 2006.

2006 Expo Special Events Calendar
Gives Advance Look at Fun Events
Fall Antique Show on VT Chambers
Top 10 List for Second Year
ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt.- A new special events brochure, outlining the dates of more than 50-plus major shows and festivals at the Champlain Valley Exposition, is now available.

PCC Ranked #1 in Survey of Healthcare Technology Vendors
(Winooski, VT) Physicians Computer Company (PCC) has received the highest overall score earned by any company in any category in the 2005 rankings of healthcare information technology (HIT) vendors published by industry-leading research firm KLAS Enterprises (www.healthcomputing .com). PCCs scores were almost 20 points higher than the average of other vendors.
With an overall score of 96.98 (of 100), PCC ranked first in the Ambulatory Specialty Market Segment of the 2005 Best in KLAS Top 20 Report. For its software capabilities and support services, PCC scored 8.73 of a possible 9, the highest Performance Indicator result recorded in this years survey, and 98% of PCC clients interviewed called the company their best vendor.

Springfield Vermont January 5, 2006 LOVEJOY Tool Company, Inc. introduces a new series of products to make it easier for a manufacturer to select the proper milling tools to solve their machining needs and machine a variety of materials with this all purpose tooling!
Applications: The XTRF Xtreme Series Face Mills use the OECH style inserts for the maximum in cutting edges acheiving 8 times the insert life!
Special Information: The finish that is produced by the XR Xtreme Series Face Mills is extremely good and you can get it all from LOVEJOY Tool Company. This tooling can be used to machine ALL materials with the proper selection of insert grades!
Products: LOVEJOY offers multiple diameter tools for these OECH inserts.
* XTRF Xtreme Series Face Mills - currently offered as a 3 inch dia. only

Revet Long Term Care Agency, LLC has added to their individual offerings by adding a new product to help business owners protect their company. Using pretax dollars you can own a long term care policy that will protect you and your company against the cost of long term care.
With the roll out of this new product line we are offering a free consultation and needs analysis for you and your business. Learn how you can save up to 40% off the price of your long term care insurance policy.
Mark & Lisa Revet have over 20 years combined experience in the long term care industry. Lisa having grown up in Bennington, Vt and now living in nearby Hoosick Falls, NY is helping businesses protect themselves, their families, and their businesses from the threat of long term care.

State of Vermont
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
2006 State of the State Address
MAKING VERMONT AFFORDABLE FOR VERMONTERS
The Governor’s Affordability Agenda
Mr. President, Madame Speaker, Members of the General Assembly, distinguished guests, fellow Vermonters:

BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF VERMONT ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF BENEFITS FOR NICOTINE REPLACEMENT PRODUCTS
State's Largest Insurer Leads New Tobacco Cessation Effort
Berlin, Vt. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) announced today that it will extend access to low or no cost nicotine replacement products to all its members in an expanded effort to encourage smokers to quit.
"Tobacco-related medical conditions contribute greatly to the high cost of health care, not to mention the personal cost to patients suffering from a preventable illness," explained BCBSVT Corporate Medical Director Stephen Perkins, M.D. "Extending this program will help more of our members who want to quit smoking."

GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER 0.9 PERCENT RATE INCREASE APPROVED
COLCHESTER, VT...Green Mountain Power (NYSE:GMP) received approval from the Vermont Public Service Board to increase its rates by 0.9 percent for electricity used beginning January 1, 2006. This is the final part of a three-year rate stabilization agreement between the State and Green Mountain Power, which included a rate freeze in 2004, a 1.9 percent increase in 2005 and the 0.9 percent increase in 2006.