Current News

Merryn Rutledge, President of ReVisions, has published Strategic Planning Guide for Leaders of Small Organizations, a complete planning guide for organizations in all sectors. Since 1995 Merryn has been assisting leaders in envisioning excellence and recreating their organizations through planning, leadership development, organizational assessment, and coaching. Strategic Planning Guide is available from www.revisions.org.
The Guide enables organizations to use specific planning tools to match their needs and resources, and to adjust plans in order to remain agile. Contents include sections on involving the right people in planning, scanning the environment in and around the organization, analyzing strengths and gaps, and creating vision, goals and an annual plan.

Montpelier, VT June 20, 2005 Capital City Press, Inc. of Montpelier, VT has announced that Mr. Kenneth W. Rapp, of Stowe VT, is promoted to Vice President of Human Resources.
The announcement was made by Gary Kittredge, President and COO, who said, In recognition of his contribution and commitment to Capital City Press (CCP), I am very pleased to announce Kens promotion. In addition to his human resource accountabilities, Ken will play a key role in the strategic management of the business. Ken has worked hard to develop the human side of our business, and the Printing Industry of America has recognized CCP as a BEST WORKPLACE IN AMERICA for three years in a row.

SERIOUS FUN: Champlain College students create a video game about dangers of mercury for Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
In the entertainment industry today, animated movies are developed concurrently with video games based on those movies---The Incredibles and Madagascar are two recent examples. Champlain College students are mimicking that industry trend this summer, but instead of a story about espionage, comedy or romance, the students have a higher goal: educating youngsters about the dangers of mercury.

SIT Receives $50,000 Anonymous Gift for Scholarship for Women
Scholarship Honors Dr. Karen Blanchard
BRATTLEBORO -- An anonymous donor recently gave $50,000 to the School for International Training (SIT) to endow a new scholarship in honor of SIT Associate Professor Karen Blanchard. The Karen Stromgren Blanchard Scholarship for Women is designated for women who wish to undertake graduate or professional development work in SITs intercultural leadership program. The school offers a broad array of studies in nonprofit leadership and management, ranging from sustainable development to conflict transformation and international education.

Amalgamated Culture Works of Burlington has purchased and put into production the Kornit 931, the worlds first industrial digital t-shirt printing machine. ACWs Kornit printer, which is manufactured in Israel, is one of only 10 such machines in North America and the first east of the Mississippi.
The Kornit 931 reproduces imagery on t-shirts at resolution never before possible with screen printing and, as it works directly from the desktop, it requires neither color separation nor screens to do its job. Among the advantages of the Kornit machine is the ability to produce full color work in short runs without prohibitive set-up charges.

Come one and all to Vermont this summer! The Vermont Chamber, along with the State of Vermont, Vermont Attractions and Vermont Farms Association partners, will help just about anyone plan a trip to Vermont. Like a kid in the scoop shop, every Vermont traveler will find their favorite flavor combination with the states best listings of lodging and activity resources.
The 2005 Vermont Vacation Guide is a magazine, with articles, listings, a resource directory, and photos to inspire adventure and nurture the spirit. For a visitor looking for a place to stay, the Guide is a personal advisor, allowing them to match their travel preferences to the special lodging, dining and entertainment options that each Vermont region has to offer.

Burlington, VT -- June 9, 2005 Four women-owned businesses in Chittenden County have come together during the month of June to donate 5% of their combined profits to the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf in Burlington.
Creative Thymes Catering, Jill Myers for Mary Kay Cosmetics, the Makeup Artist Guild and Salvanellis Authentic Italian Specialties are all members of the Women Business Owners Network, Chittenden Country Chapter and all ready to donate to the Food Shelf. "As local business owners we support programs such as the food shelf not only with our own contributions, but by reminding others of the need for year-round donations, Teresa Davis of the Makeup Artist Guild commented. It is amazing what can be accomplished if everyone does a little bit."

Help for Import-Impacted Manufacturers
Lowell, Mass., June 6, 2005 The New England Trade Adjustment Assistance Center, Inc. (NETAAC), is a government funded non-profit organization that offers cost share assistance for imported-injured manufacturers through grants from the U.S. Department of commerce. NETAACs goal is to help New England manufacturers increase profitability and retain employees while competing with imported products.
The New England Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers Executive Director, Richard McLaughlin, is pleased to announce the approval of the new grant from the US Department of Commerce, under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program for firms. These funds will allow us to continue our efforts within the six New England states, stated Mr. McLaughlin.

SoVerNet purchases Unicel's Vermont Long Distance Service
SoVerNet to continue competitive rates and local customer service
Bellows Falls, June 1 -- SoVerNet, Vermont's largest, locally-owned,
statewide telecommunications provider and Unicel/RCC Wireless (NASDAQ:
RCCC), have announced that SoVerNet has purchased Unicel's long distance
customer base in Vermont. This transfer ensures that Unicel's customers
will continue to receive local customer service and great low rates.
"Our companies have a terrific record of working well together and we
are
confident in a smooth transition. We want to assure our customers that
they
will be receiving the very best in long distance service from SoVerNet,
as
well as competitive, low rates." said Rick O'Connor, Senior Vice
President
for UNICEL. "We are going to focus on our wireless voce and data
telephone

VEDA BOARD APPROVES $3.2 MILLION
IN PROJECT FINANCING ASSISTANCE
Montpelier, VT - Manufacturing, development, agricultural and travel and tourism projects totaling $6 million will receive $3.2 million in financing assistance from the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA).
"We are very pleased to be able to offer financial assistance to these business acquisition and expansion projects," said Jo Bradley, VEDA's Chief Executive Officer.
Approved for financing by the VEDA Board of Directors are:

Vermont Public Television Launches Rutland Digital Channel
Vermont Public Television's Rutland digital TV channel has made its debut. VPT's digital channel 9 will begin service officially on Wednesday, June 1, from atop Grandpa Knob. The new channel -- the second digital channel in Vermont -- will serve Rutland and Addison counties and parts of Bennington and Windsor counties. In neighboring New York state, the signal will reach Warren and Washington counties and some of Saratoga and Essex counties.
VPT's channel 28, which transmits signals in the current analog format, will continue to operate for several years.
By federal mandate, all U.S. television stations are required to broadcast in digital. John King, VPT's president and CEO, says, "Going digital means Vermonters will continue to have their own statewide public television network, with all the PBS programs and local programs they treasure."

Professionals earn master's degree from Champlain College BURLINGTON, Vt.--Twelve area professionals were among the graduates of Champlain Colleges online masters program in Managing Innovation and Information Technology in May.