Current News
by tim
The Micro Business Development Program is offering a free
8 week course for people interested in starting a childcare business or
expanding their existing business. The course begins on Wednesday, May
17, 2004, at 6:30 pm at our office in The Maltex Building, 431 Pine
Street, Burlington, VT.
Childcare has proved a pivotal industry in Vermont over the last two
decades by providing a substantial income for households where both
parents want to work. Many providers go into the field because of their
care and skills with children. The class aims to assist those providers
excel in the field by enabling them to effectively deal with business
issues.
The course is based on a curriculum developed by the Marion Ewing
Kauffman Foundation, a reputable organization devoted to
entrepreneurship and education. It addresses two key components of a
by tim
Green Mountain Power Corporation (NYSE: GMP)announced consolidated earnings of $0.72 per share of common stock, diluted, for the first quarter of 2004 compared with consolidated earnings of $0.80 per share, diluted, for the same period in 2003.
“First quarter earnings were on target, and reflected strong growth in retail sales,” said Christopher L. Dutton, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Earnings are lower than the first quarter of 2003 only because of a one-time benefit from additional energy deliveries in 2003 that occurred at a time when we could sell excess power in the wholesale market at unusually high prices. Forecasted earnings for 2004 remain in the range of $2.05 per share to $2.15 per share.”
by tim
Catherine McIntyre and Terri Parent, formerly of PDI Creative Communication in Burlington, recently launched Stride Creative Group, a full-service creative partnership specializing in print design, web design and advertising. The two have capitalized on their 5-year working relationship to support the marketing efforts of Vermont-based businesses and non-profit organizations.
Parent, an Art Director for over 8 years, creates marketing and branding strategies for Stride’s clients. She designs corporate identities, marketing materials, web sites, advertisements, and signage — and writes marketing copy and radio scripts. McIntyre, an Editorial and Web Designer for over 6 years, also designs marketing materials, web sites, advertising, and signage, and offers the technical component of web development. She heads up media planning and implementation strategies, and writes marketing copy as well.
by tim
Catherine Kronk, Liam Murphy and Brian Sullivan are very pleased to announce the formation of the law firm of Murphy Sullivan Kronk. Located in the historic Peck House in downtown Burlington, MSK will focus its practice on transactions, permitting and litigation in the fields of real estate, land development and commercial law. Jeremy Farkas and Jamie Ha-O’Brien have joined us as associates practicing in the areas of commercial real estate transactions, telecommunications law and litigation.
MSK is proud to have been recognized, at its formation, by Chambers & Partners USA as one of Vermont top tier real estate and land use firms, in its 2004 “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business”:
by tim
Joseph M. Finnigan, president and CEO of Vermont Federal Credit Union (VTFCU), is pleased to announce that Sarah Gamer, CPA, has joined the Vermont Federal Credit Union senior management team as Controller.
Sarah brings to the Credit Union over 28 years of professional experience in accounting, finance, administration and consulting. Prior to the credit union, she was Dean of Administration at Johnson State College, as well as a financial and taxation consultant for various firms in the area. She also spent time as the Director of Finance and Administration at the New Brunswick Seminary and the Director of Administrative Service at Western New England College.
by tim
April Cornell, co-owner of Cornell Trading in Williston, Vt., will address Champlain College graduates at this year’s Commencement ceremony on May 8. April’s name graces the storefronts of more than 80 clothing and home furnishing boutiques in America, while more than 30 of her stores in Canada bear the name “La Cache.”
April and her husband Chris Cornell started their international business in Montreal. With a shared passion for travel, they headed east and made their first foray into buying while roaming the bazaars in Afghanistan. When the couple opened their first boutique in Montreal in 1975, the nomadic clothing they saw on their travels were among their best selling items.
by tim
GRISWOLD SPECIAL CARE a 22-year-old international company is celebrating its one-year anniversary in Vermont. The company, which has been on NBC’s Today Show and has received numerous national awards for quality and service, is a leader in non-medical homecare.
The Burlington based office, which serves the 10 northern counties of Vermont, refers carefully screened Caregivers that assist seniors with non-medical personal care, including: bathing and dressing, as well as light housekeeping, cooking, companionship, assistance with self administered medications, and incidental transportation.
The Director and owner of GRISWOLD SPECIAL CARE in Vermont, is Barbara Headrick, who for the past 10 years has wanted to open a GRISWOLD SPECIAL CARE office, and is delighted to see that dream coming true.
by tim
Reflecting the growing demand for classes that can be completed from a
personal computer anytime or anywhere, the Community College of Vermont is
offering over 120 credit-bearing courses during its summer 2004 session.
Registration for online courses offered during the summer session is held
from April 26 to May 14.
For Vermont college students looking to get a head start on the upcoming
fall semester or looking to complete a degree requirement while away from
their home university for the summer, CCV's online courses provide an
affordable and high quality option for meeting their educational goals.
Credits earned at CCV are readily transferable and, with the convenience
of more than 120 online courses, students can enroll in a CCV course from
anywhere in the world. Vermont residents also benefit from CCV's in-state
tuition rates, the most affordable college tuition in the state.
by tim
Chittenden Corporation
(NYSE: CHZ) Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Paul A. Perrault,
announced earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 of $17.5 million
or $0.47 per diluted share, compared to $16.6 million or $0.49 a year ago.
Chittenden also announced a 10% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.22
per share. The dividend will be paid on May 14, 2004, to shareholders of
record on April 30, 2004.
In making the announcement, Perrault said, "By and large, most core
businesses are doing well. However, the volatility of market interest rates
and the timing of their movements during the quarter adversely impacted the
mortgage banking business. On the whole, we consider the quarter's results a
little disappointing, though there is cause for optimism. Commercial loan
growth was particularly good during the quarter and accelerated in the month
by tim
Third Sector Systems, a provider of organization-wide software solutions for nonprofits announced today that John Crowl, the former Publisher of the Chronicle of Philanthropy and Louis Raffis, Senior Vice President in the Corporate Treasury Group at KeyCorp have joined its Board of Directors.
Crowl said “I’ve been impressed with Third Sector’s integrated software, which solves a longstanding coordination problem that has plagued non-profit organizations. But I have been equally impressed by the company’s management, its vision, and especially its prospects for the future.”
by tim
Kathleen C. Hoyt and Dr. Marc A. vanderHeyden, have been nominated to serve on Green Mountain Power’s Board of Directors. The election will take place at the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders in May.
“We very much look forward to having Kathy and Marc serve on Green Mountain’s Board,” said Nordahl L. Brue, Chair of Green Mountain Power. “We welcome the Vermont and national insights and advice that they will bring to our Company as we continue to find new ways to achieve our goal as the nation’s premier electric distribution utility.”
Hoyt was the top cabinet official for Vermont Governor Howard Dean, having previously served in multiple leadership positions in state government. In 1998, she received the National Governors Association Award for Distinguished Service to State Government.
by tim
Sooner or later, every growing business will likely need an Act 250 or environmental permits to either move into a new facility, or construct more space. Knowing what to expect, and how to get started are the keys to obtaining your permit as quickly and easily as possible.
The Vermont Small Business Act 250 Fact Sheet is designed for businesses, that are not yet familiar with Vermont's Act 250 process. Created by the Vermont Environmental Assistance Partnership (SBDC, VMEC, VT-ANR, Dept. of Economic Development) in cooperation with the VT Environmental Board.
On the web at: www.veap.org/news.shtml
or by calling 802-728-1423