Current News

Culminating an effort that began almost as soon as Ethan Allen, Inc. announced the closure of its Island Pond Division in August, 2001, the new plant of a new company, Island Pond Woodworkers, Inc. will be formally opened on February 15th. The new business will manufacture custom furniture and cabinetry. It has secured its first major order, study carrels for Middlebury College and has several other opportunities in various stages of negotiation.
The plant closure idled 125 workers in a town with only 1,300 residents. It was a potentially devastating blow to the economy of an already economically disadvantaged area of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Led by four former Ethan Allen workers, Don Maiolo, Sylvie Ming, Barbara Testut and Bruce Wilkie, who form the management of the new enterprise, the former Island Pond Division workers raised funds and worked tirelessly to promote the idea of a new business that would use their talent for creating fine furniture.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations renewed its accreditation of Retreat Healthcare after
conducting an extensive on-site survey in January.
Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission is dedicated to continuously
improving the safety and quality of the nation's health care through
voluntary accreditation. "Achieving accreditation demonstrates Retreat
Healthcare's commitment to provide high quality care" says Mary
Cesare-Murphy, Ph.D., executive director, Behavioral Health Care Program,
Joint Commission.
Rick Palmisano, CEO of Retreat Healthcare, expressed pride in the survey
results, and in the vital role that everyone within the organization plays
in working to meet these standards of excellence. "The Joint Commission's
renewal of accreditation once again confirms our hard work and reflects
the significant effort we make on a day-to-day basis at all levels of our

Ann Clark, Ltd., manufacturer and wholesaler of cookie cutters handcrafted in Vermont, has hired Richard H. Mihlrad of Wells, Vermont to be their Director of Sales and Marketing. Mihlrad will be responsible for both the wholesale and promotional products divisions for the company.
Ann Clark, Ltd. is a 12-year old company founded by Artist Ann Clark. The company produces cookie cutters made from tin and copper along with cookie and frosting mixes, animal treat mixes, cookie baking kits and the children’s cookbook “With Mommy’s Help” written by Ann Clark. Products are manufactured in their Rutland, Vermont factory and shipped nationwide and internationally to gift stores, pet shops, gourmet stores and direct mail cataloguers.
Over the last decade Richard H. Mihlrad has directed the sales and marketing efforts for giftware manufacturers such as Vanmark, Character Collectibles, Jacob’s Musical Chimes, Herdoo’s, and The Brass Butterfly.

The Vermont International Business Council (VIBC), a standing committee of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, is accepting nominations for the 2003 Exporter of the Year. Given to a company that has contributed significantly to Vermont’s 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; increasing foreign student enrollment at Vermont’s 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)

Agency of Commerce and Community Development Secretary Kevin Dorn has announced the appointment of Bruce J. Hyde, Fayston, as
Vermont's new Commissioner of Tourism and Marketing.
"Bruce brings hands-on skills to the job. He has operated the Hyde Away
Inn and Restaurant since 1987 and represented Washington-Addison District
1 in the Vermont Legislature between 1994 and 2000. In addition to his
experience in the business community, tourism industry and Vermont
government, he brings a commitment to efficiency, professionalism and
improving the bottom line for Vermont businesses and taxpayers," Dorn
said.
Commissioner Hyde has also served on local boards including the Sugarbush
Chamber of Commerce, the board for the Mad River Valley Senior Citizens,
Inc. and Evergreen Place, Inc.
"I completely support Governor Douglas' pledge to make Vermont State

Instrument (IM) is a new, creative network of individuals and small firms dedicated to providing a full menu of marketing services while still offering the benefits of independent providers. Until now these independent, freelance providers had a tough time finding work and marketing themselves to the right channels. And many potential clients had no way of knowing what these talented individuals and small firms had to offer in terms of creative services. Instrument has created an organized framework around these creative service providers, and provided an outlet for their artistic and marketing abilities.

What do Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Cabot Creamery, and Wild Apple Graphics have in common? These outstanding businesses have all received the Deane C. Davis Award for their meaningful commitment to employees, community, corporate productivity, and the environment.
Nominations are now being accepted for the Thirteenth Annual Deane C. Davis award, co-sponsored by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Business Magazine. The winner will be unveiled at the May 21, 2003 opening ceremony of northern New England’s largest business-to-business trade show, the annual Vermont Chamber of Commerce Business and Industry Exposition (EXPO). Three award finalists are profiled in the May issue of Vermont Business Magazine.

Karen Kane, of Cambridge, Vermont, announced the
national launch of Paris by Design, a travel consulting service
specializing in personalized Paris itineraries. The company creates Paris
vacations for individuals, couples, families and small groups according to
specific interests, including art, architecture, gastronomy and gardening.
Kane is a former Paris resident, and her advice on where to eat, sleep,
shop and stroll in the City of Light translates to effortless travel. But
knowledge isn't the company's only point fort. Kane is committed to
providing personalized service. "International travel can be challenging
and expensive," notes Kane, and Paris doesn't reveal itself easily. I've
been studying and exploring Paris for more than 30 years. My intimate
knowledge and deep love for the city ensure that visitors receive a unique
view of Paris and an extraordinary value for their travel dollars and

Vermonters are part of the rising tide of enthusiasm nationwide
for "529" college investment programs (named after a provision in the
Internal Revenue Service code). Enrollment in Vermont's 529 plan, the
Vermont Higher Education Investment Plan, rose to 2,378 accounts in 2002,
an increase of 74.5 percent from 2001. Investments in the plan were valued
at more than $15 million at the close of 2002, compared with $8 million a
year before. The state's college investment vehicle has proven popular
with residents because of several key features:
* Earnings on withdrawals
used for qualified higher education expenses are free of federal and state
income tax.
* Students have flexibility to use the funds at nearly all
colleges in the United States and some abroad.
* The minimum required to
contribute is only $25 at a time or $15 per pay period by payroll
deduction.

In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local residents, Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless provider, has expanded its digital network in Vermont, with a new cell site. The new site, located on an existing silo, provides improved coverage and capacity in Ferrisburg along Route 7.
The new site is part of the company's aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless voice and data services, like two-way text messaging and Internet access, in New England.

Vermont Chamber of Commerce President Chris Barbieri announced that Sue Kruthers has accepted the position of Vermont Chamber Vice President of Government Relations. As the chief lobbyist for the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, she will lead the Vermont Chamber five-member lobbying team in representing the business interests of over 1,500 members statewide.
“Sue Kruthers is a natural choice for the job,” stated Vermont Chamber Chairman of the Board Carl Spangler. “She has worked vigorously and effectively on behalf of the business community for decades.”
Formerly the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Travel & Tourism, Kruthers is intimately familiar with state house people and issues. She has spent her career advancing the interests of travel and tourism in the state of Vermont, first in the ski industry, then for the Vermont Chamber.

Vermont's first digital TV channel has made its debut. Thanks to matching
funds from the state of Vermont and the federal government, Vermont Public
Television began service on Wednesday, Jan. 15, from its new digital
channel 24 on Mt. Ascutney in Windsor, which serves southeastern Vermont
and bordering areas of New Hampshire. The current analog service on
channel 41 will continue.
Eventually, digital television will be the national standard. By federal
law, all TV stations in the U.S. are required to convert to the digital
format. They will continue to broadcast in the analog format through
2006. VPT’s digital conversion ensures that it complies with the mandate.
VPT's president and CEO, John King, says, "Beyond meeting the legal
obligation so that we can continue to operate, our conversion to digital
will bring VPT viewers a wealth of new services. Digital is a technology