Current News

United Way Community Campaign Exceeds $3.8m Goal
Investments Impact all of Chittenden County
United Way of Chittenden County announced today it expects to meet and exceed its goal of $3.8 million for its 2004 Community Campaign. By the end of March, it anticipates having reached 102% of goal.
"These are challenging times for everyone," stated volunteer Community Campaign Chair Kevin Dwyer, who is Senior Vice President of Hackett Valine & MacDonald. "Amidst those challenges, our community came together to create relief for those that struggle the most. It wouldn't be possible without the enthusiastic support of more than 500 campaign volunteers."

IBM Joins Vermont Energy Partnership

Vermont's Largest Employer Concerned About State's Energy Future

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Tom Shampnois of Burlington will join the staff as the Director of Advertising Sales and Marketing.
Tom is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of diverse experience in the travel and tourism industry. Most recently, Tom was the Group Sales Manager for the Best Western Windjammer Inn in South Burlington, Vermont.
Tom will begin his duties with the Vermont Chamber on March 28th.

BURLINGTON, Vt.--Carolyn Schmidt of Whiting is participating this month in an international conference on corporate responsibility which will take her to Salvador, Brazil. Schmidt is a member of the staff and board of directors of ECOLOGIA, a nonprofit environmental organization based in Middlebury, and an adjunct professor at Champlain College in Burlington.
From March 7-11, she will meet with representatives from around the globe to create the first draft of a social responsibility standard for the ISO (International Organization of Standards).
The task is to set a framework for the 21st century for how well treat people and the environment, Schmidt said. Whatever the ISO does, it will probably become the global standard.
The conference will address two main categories: social responsibility of business, including the treatment of workers around the world, and environmental responsibility, including pollution and sustainable development.

After a very successfull 2 years with V/T Commercial Real Estate, Jed Dousevicz has been named an owner/principal in the firm. Jed has an extensive background in sales, small business management and has been involved in real estate for 10 years. In the past 2 years, he has been focusing on commercial real estate sales and leasing and business brokerage, which he will continue to concentrate on as a partner.

PilatesSpace opens a Studio in Burlington, Vermont
New Studio Features Vermonts First Access to the Gyrotonic® Expansion System
Burlington PilatesSpace, a fitness and physical therapy studio, announces today the opening of its new space at 208 Flynn Avenue in Burlington. PilatesSpace offers private, semi-private and group sessions in Pilates. Pilates, a conditioning program developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, uses specialized equipment and mat exercises to improve strength, flexibility, breathing function, posture and coordination. PilatesSpace also offers Gyrotonic®, yoga, massage, and physical therapy.

Business Roundtable's survey shows little change
The Vermont Business Roundtables First Quarter 2005 CEO Economic Outlook Survey, show that projections for both sales and employment levels are virtually unchanged from the previous survey period, however a greater percentage of CEOs is projecting an increase in capital expenditures over the coming six months.

Higher capital expenditures are forecasted for the next six-month period (10% above last quarter), but still down from this time last year. Sales projections are virtually the same as last quarter, but down from responses from this time last year. And, projected employment levels are down slightly from last quarter, though by and large, very similar to this time last year.

Gardner selected Small Business Person of the Year
Oliver J Gardner, owner and president of Four Seasons Garden Center in Williston has been selected as the US Small Business Administrations (SBA) 2005 Vermont Small Business Person of the Year. Nominated by Bob Blanchard, Vice President of Charter One Bank, Burlington, Gardner was selected for outstanding leadership related to his companys staying power, employee growth, increase in sales, innovative ingenuity, response to adversity and contributions to the community.

Four Seasons is a regional, independent retail garden center specializing in an extensive inventory of ornamental trees and shrubs, perennials, annuals and garden accessories. Through repeated demonstrations of revenue-generating ability paired with environmental accountability, Four Seasons set standards that changed the garden center industrys paradigm for success.

Governor signs reimportation legislation
Governor Jim Douglas has signed a drug reimportation bill that will allow a small number of Vermonters access to pharmaceuticals from Canada and other nations, and urged the Legislature to move on to more pressing issues.

The governor said that even those who campaigned heavily on the issue of drug reimportation, and who claimed that it would be a significant step toward lower drug prices and affordable health care, now concede that this bill will help only a handful of Vermonters.

The governor added that the Legislature must take action to save Medicaid and pass health insurance reforms that make progress toward our goal of universal coverage this year.

Volz appointed Public Service Board chairman
James Volz, who has served as the Department of Public Service's (DPS) director for public advocacy since 1989, has been appointed chair of the Public Service Board, Governor Jim Douglas has announced.
According to its mission statement, the Public Service Board is a quasi-judicial board that regulates the rates, quality of service, and overall financial management of Vermont's public utilities: cable television, electric, gas, telecommunications, water and large wastewater companies.

David Nichols, Vice President of Climate Systems, Inc. in Williston, has been appointed to a second two-year term on the Board of Advisors of The Unified Group, a national network of 45 pre-eminent heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC).
Headquartered in Chicago, The Unified Group is composed of independent HVAC contractors who share a commitment to remaining independent, while providing quality service to clients. The Board of Advisors oversees The Unified Group's five major business areas including purchasing, business opportunities, membership, training and marketing. Participation in The Unified Group is limited to one member company per geographic area, and companies must have demonstrated a commitment to providing quality service to their clients.
Climate Systems, Inc. is a locally-owned , full service and installation heating, ventilatin, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanical contractor dedicated to customer satisfaction.

Burlington, VT -- Olivia Gorun, of Burlington, VT announced today the launch of Aviva, an image consulting service for people who are transforming themselves. Olivia helps men and women develop a plan to evaluate style, color and wardrobe needs to meet personal and professional goals. As a result, her clients project confidence, feel beautiful, and express themselves in a way that emphasizes their potential. The business is the first of its kind in Chittenden County.
Avivas mission is to help her clients look great at any stage of life. Personal style has little to do with what is considered fashionable in a given season, says Olivia. Instead, it emphasizes the bodys potential. When clothes and makeup complement your coloring, you look natural and exciting.