Current News

One of the nationâ¬"s largest financial
services companies wants to change the way some people think about
checking accounts. Beginning this week, KeyBank (NYSE: KEY) will offer a
simple and convenient alternative to those individuals who do not qualify
for a traditional account.
Key Checkless Access was designed to provide immediate access to direct
deposit paychecks via Keyâ¬"s nationwide ATM network. This electronic
account is an alternative to costly check cashing facilities, providing
customers with the convenience of a regular checking account without the
hassles of writing checks and balancing a checkbook.
Nationally, at least 10 percent of U.S. households donâ¬"t have a
relationship with a bank, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
A large proportion of these households fall within the low- and
moderate-income (LMI) range. And, in the 12 states where Key has a retail

"Green Thumbs in the Green Mountains" is a cultural tourism marketing campaign sponsored by the Southern Vermont Regional Marketing Organization. The idea behind the campaign is to celebrate Windham County culture and the splendor of the landscape as the summer tourism season heats up.
In honor of award-winning gardens and world-renown gardeners, the festivities will include garden tours and workshops, Iris and Daylily festivals, farmers markets, musical events, craft shows, puppeteers and all things Vermont.
Statistics prove that cultural tourism is an important niche market for Vermont. This campaign highlights the region as one of taste, quality and culture and encourages visitors to discover the "undiscovered jewel" of summer in Southern Vermont.

Vermont Health Care in the 21st Century

Three key emerging issues of the health care policy - the rise of consumer driven health insurance, the transformation of health care systems, and protecting Vermont's medical providers against excessive tort damage claims will be the focus of the Ethan Allen Institute's conference on "Vermont Health Care in the 21st Century", Friday, June 25 from 9-5 at the Pavilion Auditorium, Montpelier. Governor Jim Douglas will open the conference, speaking on "Prescription for a Healthy Vermont."

In the first nine months of business, GCS Marketing, a full-service marketing firm specializing public relations, is working with the following clients:
" Creative Habitat at Ben Franklin;

" Girls on the Run;

" VSO Waltz Night;

" Excel Communications;

" PR consultant for Kelliher Samets Volk; and

Stratton Mountain's environmental initiatives
were recognized again this year with the prestigious Silver Eagle Award
presented by Mountain Sports Media, publishers of SKI and SKIING
magazines.
The Awards were established in 1993 to recognize and encourage
environmental achievements. A record of 32 resorts participated in the
2004 Golden Eagle Awards. The entries were judged by a panel of
environmental and industry experts.
Stratton earned the 2004 Silver Eagle Award, its fourth since 1996, for
Excellence in Fish and Wildlife Protection.
Stratton was recognized for sponsorship of wildlife studies and
educational programs as well as for Conservation Easements presented to
the State of Vermont. These seven distinct areas, on 1,200 acres, were
identified in the exhaustive planning process that resulted in Vermont's
first fully approved mountain resort Master Plan (1999). These

The Department of Employment and Training announced Thursday a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.5 percent for Vermont in May. The rate was unchanged from the April estimate, which was revised down one tenth of a percentage point. The national unemployment rate in May held steady at 5.6 percent.
Unemployment rates for Vermonts 13 labor market areas ranged from 1.7 percent in Hartford, to 5.0 percent in Newport. Labor market area rates are not seasonally adjusted; for comparison, the unadjusted rate for Vermont was 3.2 percent.
Improvement in the national economy is providing a healthy foundation for lower unemployment in Vermont, said Anne V. Ginevan, Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Training. Our job market is improving gradually in response to the improved economic climate.

The Vermont State Treasurers Office has unveiled an initiative to invest a significant portion of Vermonts short-term cash in Vermont Banks. Currently, such funds are invested primarily in government agency securities, high quality corporate commercial paper, and money market accounts at large financial institutions. The new Treasurers Bank in Vermont Program is consistent with an ongoing effort by State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding to support Vermont-based financial institutions when acceptable rates of return can be achieved.

Vermont Toner Recharge is pleased to announce their relocation to 400 Avenue D, Suite 30, Williston, Vermont 05495. All contact information including phone and FAX numbers remain the same.
The new location accommodates the continued growth of the company due to expanded product offerings.
A 14 year old Vermont based corporation, Vermont Toner Recharge remanufactures toner cartridges for laser printers, FAX, and copier machines and offers free delivery on both new and remanufactured product. Contact Vermont Toner Recharge at 864-7637 or vermonttonerrecharge.com.

Want to learn to write competitive grant proposals? From planning programs to researching funding sources to proposal writing, a five-day personalized and interactive program at Champlain College will take participants step-by-step through all stages of effective grant writing.
The Grantsmanship Training Program, hosted by Champlain College in Burlington, Vt., will be offered August 2 - 6, 2004. Chuck Putney, a successful Bennington-based grant writer, will lead the workshop. He has taught grant writing workshops for many years at locations in Vermont and around the United States.
To register, or to apply for a scholarship, please contact The Grantsmanship Center at (800) 421-9512 or visit their website at www.tgci.com. The fee is $825 for the five-day workshop.

Mark Dowling, co-owner of Creative Habitat at Ben Franklin, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Sierra Pacific Crafts (SPC) in Woodburn, Oregon. Dowlings appointment is the first Board appointment of any store owner east of the Mississippi.
Im extremely proud of my brother, co-owner Michael Dowling stated, Mark has worked very hard with the Sierra Pacific Crafts people to become an integral and important part of SPC. This is good for Mark, and great for Creative Habitat and its customers.
Sierra Pacific Crafts is led by a nine-member Board of Directors, composed of store owners. Mark Dowling was appointed to a three-year term in March of 2004. Mark is a member of the Technology Committee, as well as Secretary of the Board.

Toby Dusha recently joined Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission as an Emergency Management Planner in support of the Federal Homeland Security initiative.
He will be developing a comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and large-scale training exercise for all Chittenden County emergency response agencies.
Dusha brings with him over 25 years experience in Public Safety including Emergency Management Director,
9-1-1 Coordinator, and Emergency Services Communications Center Director for Washington County New York.

Criterion, LLC
2456 Christian Street
White River Junction, Vermont 05001
RELEASE: June 7, 2004
Contact: Dianne Kenney 802-280-3061

Criterion Relocates

White River Junction, VT. Criterion, LLC is pleased to announce their relocation to 2456 Christian Street, White River Junction, Vermont.

Criterion, LLC was originally established in 2000 as Green Mountain HR, with a focus on Human Resources consulting. In response to clients mounting requests, we have expanded our core services to include executive coaching, management education and meeting facilitation, said Dianne Kenney, owner.

The increased space accommodates the continued growth of the company due to expanded service offerings, including in-house seminars.

For more information about the Criterion, please email [email protected] or phone us at 802-280-3061.