Current News

BRISTOL, VERMONT - Alan E. Lewis, Chairman and CEO of Grand Circle Corporation in Boston, announced that Gregg Marston has purchased Vermont Bicycle Tours Bicycling Vacation (VBT) from Grand Circle. Mr. Marston has served as VBT's President since 1999.
"We are delighted to have sold VBT to someone who shares our passion for adventurous, discovery-oriented travel experiences that have the power to change people's lives," said Lewis. "We know that VBT is in excellent hands."
"As an avid traveler and bicycling enthusiast who has had the privilege of leading VBT for the past six years, I am very enthusiastic about the acquisition of VBT," said Marston. "I look forward to continuing our efforts to offer the best bicycling vacation choices around the world, at the best value in the industry. Further, I am delighted to bring this company back to its roots in Vermont."

For Immediate Release - January 24, 2005
Contact: Lillian Gamache (802) 656-7969, [email protected], Vermont EPSCoR. University of Vermont. 528 Cook Physical Science Building. Burlington, VT 05405
The Vermont Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VT EPSCoR) once again will provide the opportunity for Vermont small businesses to compete for grants of up to $10,000 to foster research and development projects which will lead to application to the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs.
- Since 1992, Vermont EPSCoR has made 125 awards totaling over $1.2M to 75 companies across the state.
- From 1984-2005, 51 Vermont businesses were awarded 165 Phase I grants and 64 Phase II grants, worth over $43M.
- 21 of the 75 Phase 0 firms have gone on to win federal SBIR awards

Shelburne, VT - March 3, 2006 The VT/NH DMG welcomes any and all participants to its first educational seminar for the 2006 year. The New Media Marketing & "Old Faithful" session will be held on March 3 at the Vermont Teddy Bear headquarters in Shelburne, Vermont from 9 AM to 4 PM.
There are many ways to get your business message out to the market, but the integration of new venues with old methods; all while maintaining customer loyalty can be a juggling act.
Our speakers, Katie Camardo, VTB VP of Operations, Michelle Cote, VTB Loyalty Marketing Manager and Tom Funk, VTB Web Manager, and others will share their experiences of venturing into new markets and new media venues - all, while protecting the traditional tried-and-true channels such as; radio advertising and direct-mail catalogs. Tips on what has and has not worked and latest trends in the market will be just some of the valuable messages relayed on this day.

Founded on the basic principle that high quality work will put you as a leader in any industry. This company believes that preparing a home or business for its future occupant is no different. That's just what this company will provide its customers. While specializing in preparing newly constructed or renovated homes for its future occupant, Inspection Ready does provide a long list of other services including Move-In, Move-Out cleaning, Window Cleaning and Commercial Cleaning as well.
Most builders do not want to spend several hours a day cleaning up the job site when those hours could be spent building other homes or finishing other projects. With more than 12 years experience in the home improvement business, the founders of this company feel they understand what the customer is looking for.

MONTPELIER, Vt. - Commissioner Bruce Hyde has announced that Rutland native Dave Hakins has joined the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing as Director of Sales and Promotion.
Hakins returns to Vermont from the New York area after two decades of selling and producing promotional events, conferences and incentive travel for Fortune 500 corporations, marketing agencies, television networks, and professional sports and entertainment organizations.
"We hope to draw heavily on Dave's experience and expertise to expand our network of private and public sector partnerships to more effectively market Vermont, Hyde said. His network of marketing, sports and entertainment contacts is also especially exciting as we seek new ways to promote the Vermont experience."

Kitchens for the Rest of Us is a book as lovingly crafted as the kitchens it showcases. Everyone knows that the kitchen is the hardest working room in the house, and often serves many purposes. So it makes sense to understand not only how to improve its function, but how to make it inviting and beautiful as well. Many remodeling books fix design problems by increasing size. The designers in this book take a less expensive, more elegant approach, focusing on smart use of available space, organizing storage, and small details that make a big impact. Over eighteen kitchens from across the country are featured, each having special challenges that are solved with good design. Before-and-after plans, plus photographs, show both the problem and the solution. Lemos' "Five Essential Steps" to remodeling is the kind of guide one needs to turn an overwhelming project into manageable size. And his chapters on specific concerns such as lighting, cabinets, and countertops are truly useful.

Champlain College business student and entrepreneur Ben Kaufman isn't getting a lot of sleep these days. He's exchanging late-night e-mails with manufacturers in China who are creating his newly announced products for the iPod.
At age 19, Kaufman has just launched his second round of sleek iPod accessories and he's flying high after returning from last week's Macworld Expo in San Francisco, where his products were awarded "Best in Show in Innovation" from iLounge, a top Web site for iPod accessory reviews.
"Just being at Macworld, facing off with so many multimillion dollar companies, has been as experience in itself, Kaufman said, Our products really spoke for themselves. Getting the Best of Show award, I was like - 'could this get any better?'"

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.