Champlain Business Journal Archive
Bank turns drive-up into full-service depository
November 2009
One Vermont bank has retained a bullish stance during the economic downturn. Merchants Bank, the last independent statewide banking company in Vermont, will replace its popular drive-up banking location at 92 Woodstock Avenue in Rutland with a new full-service bank at the same location by year’s end.
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Into inns: couple runs Dorset, Mountain Top inns
November 2009
The Dorset Inn and the Mountain Top Inn both represent the quintessence of Vermont lodging and hospitality, as do their mutual owners, Lauren and Steve Bryant.
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Crazy for cranberries: Tart, crimson berries grow in Vermont bog
November 2009
Thanksgiving celebrations traditionally contain certain foods like turkey, pumpkins and/or winter squash, widely believed to be part of that historic 1621 “first Thanksgiving” meal.
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Handcrafted furniture: quality at a price
November 2009
Though furniture makers have been around for thousands of years, the term “furniture artisan” is much newer to the marketplace.
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Group helps businesses recycle among themselves
November 2009
Since October of last year – when the administration of the Vermont Business Materials Exchange (VBMX) was taken over by the Northeast Recycling Council from its main sponsor, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources – interest in the free service for businesses across the state has surged.
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Spotlight on new business
November 2009
Magnum Millwork
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Promoting environmental responsibility
November 2009
Vermont businesses and schools are greening up. They see the value of doing so – not only to their bottom lines, but also to their marketing efforts. Green is hot, especially in this economy.
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Filling the green technology void
Poultney center to focus on environmentally friendly projects, jobs
November 2009
Tucked in the rolling hills of Poultney is a company that has the potential to change how people learn about the environment through training for an evolving workplace focused on green and sustainable issues.
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Interior design with concrete results
November 2009
When it comes to comparing the cost of concrete counter tops versus granite, the jury is still out.
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Group works to promote state’s environmental business economy
November 2009
Eight years ago, people in various public and private arenas interested in the state’s environmental concerns banded together as the Vermont Environmental Consortium.
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Heating costs
November 2009
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Vermont home to wide array of environmentally friendly companies
November 2009
In Vermont, green businesses run the gamut from auto sales and service to computers to textiles and resorts. There’s even a dusting of flour thrown in for good measure over at King Arthur Flour in Norwich.
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A catered affair
October 2009
Fortunately for residents and for those seeking Vermont country weddings, the Rutland area has a wide variety of caterers capable of handling the varied demands of uniquely planned nuptial events.
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Agencies work to pinpoint needs of downtown business district
October 2009
This fall, folks doing business in downtown Rutland will know more about the local and regional market forces that impact their pursuits, thanks to a joint study conducted by the Rutland Redevelopment Authority (RRA) and the Downtown Rutland Partnership (DRP).
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Asset protection crucial to keeping business afloat
October 2009
The football team steps onto the playing field, bright lights shining on their shoulders. The crowd gasps: not one player is wearing protective equipment. No pads, no helmets, no mouth guards.
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Shrewsbury regains iconic landmark
October 2009
After a 16-year hiatus, Willie E. Pierce Groceries has reopened in North Shrewsbury.
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Wedding planning a booming business
October 2009
Before one can even begin thinking about wedding planning as a career, it is important to define exactly what a wedding planner is.
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Spotlight on new businesses
October 2009
Acorn Natural Medicine
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Banks eager despite downturn
October 2009
It’s true that commercial and retail activities have slowed in Vermont, while the rate of foreclosures has increased. However, spokespeople for Vermont’s banks say they are upbeat about the ability of their lending institutions to reach into deep pockets to assist commercial borrowers despite the recession.
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Recycling made simple
Casella, Castleton State students partner to recover recyclables
October 2009
In spring 2005, Castleton State College (CSC) Professor Paul Derby taught a class on anthropology and the environment. Recycling came into the picture, as the students became aware that Castleton’s recycling efforts could be transformed into a model program.
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Getting on track: Vermont seeks rail funds
October 2009
Vermont is awaiting word on its application for $125 million in federal stimulus grant funds to rebuild its eastern and western corridor railroad network.
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Law libraries enter the 21st century
October 2009
Law libraries are thriving throughout the country, due in part to the information age. One has only to type the words “law library” into an Internet search engine to get 20 pages of online libraries full of information.
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Prepare for a scare
Venerable Halloween parade helps highlight downtown businesses
October 2009
A light-hearted invitation to a small parade in 1959 has grown far beyond all expectations: during a 50-year span, the annual Halloween parade has expanded to an evening-long extravaganza of costumes, lights, floats and music.
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National Apple Month
October 2009
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Awash in color
Visitors flock to Vermont for its striking autumn palette
September 2009
There was a time when Vermont claimed ownership of the fall foliage tourism business.
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Savor the flavors of harvest festivals
September 2009
As the days grow shorter and a chill is noticeable in the evening air, there may be no better way to celebrate summer’s end than at one of the many Harvest Festivals in large cities and rural hamlets around the state.
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Building branding power
Middlebury businesses band together to entice tourists
September 2009
“Made in Middlebury” is the new theme for a group of manufacturers whose facilities double as attractions for area visitors.
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Wellness at work: a sound business investment
September 2009
Workplace wellness programs in Vermont are alive and thriving, with much of the credit going to the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports.
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Builder roots for recycling
September 2009
The McKernon Group in Brandon is enjoying a growing reputation for recycling parts of old barns for use in new homes.
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Chambers help small business workers get healthy
September 2009
At first, a business might consider being a member of the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce (RRCC) to take advantage of its marketing opportunities, business contacts, legislative updates and tourism contacts.
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Construction company celebrates 75th anniversary
September 2009
Russell Corporation is celebrating an impressive 75th year in business this year.
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Fly fishing casts spell over tourists
September 2009
Make hay when the sun shines, and cast when it rains: this summer’s wet weather may have hurt farmers, but it’s been a boon to fishermen and to the businesses that keep them angling.
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Glass companies see upswing in window replacements
September 2009
Replacing old windows can be a win-win proposition for homeowners who want to save money on their utility bills and qualify for federal tax credits.
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Green Mountain College to warm with wood
September 2009
A student’s vision that was reflected in a project for academic credit in 2005 will become a reality this coming winter when a wood-chip plant fires up to heat Poultney’s Green Mountain College (GMC) campus and provide 20 percent of the college’s electrical needs.
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Insurance choices abound
September 2009
Despite the downturn in the current economy, consumers are still purchasing business insurance of all types at record rates, according to Angie Brady of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s regional headquarters in Albany, NY.
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Out of the woodwork
Woodstock hosts furniture festival
September 2009
The beauty of the Green Mountain State’s trees beyond the brilliance of spectacular autumn foliage will be on display at the sixth annual Vermont Fine Furniture and Woodworking Festival at the Union Arena in Woodstock September 26- 27.
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Spotlight On New Business
September 2009
Neshobe River Winery
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Flextime: an attractive alternative for workers
September 2009
Gone are the days when the workplace was dictated by a nine-to-five schedule. Today, employers and employees alike are embracing arrangements that improve efficiency, add convenience and yield to more demanding personal schedules.
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Award Winner Has Farming In His Blood
July 2009
A Middlebury agribusiness specialist with experience as a home-based business operator has been selected as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Home-based Business Champion for Vermont.
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Makeovers Planned For Old Water Systems
July 2009
A number of municipalities and districts struggling with aging water supply and wastewater systems are eagerly anticipating federal funding to begin system improvements.
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Film Company Scores On Hallmark Channel
July 2009
After Edgewood Studios’ Christmas production of “Moonlight and Mistletoe” scored one of the Hallmark Channel’s biggest successes, David Giancola doesn’t have much left to prove.
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Rail Yard Relocation Proposal Could Open More Land Downtown To Development
July 2009
A preferred alternative for the Rutland rail yard relocation has been identified after more than eight years of work and over $2 million spent on environmental impact studies.
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Dance Lessons Breed Confidence, Discipline
July 2009
One might think business and the art of dance have very little to do with one another. However, many of the same skills one needs to succeed in business – discipline, timing, commitment and time management – also are needed in dance.
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Paramount Theatre’s Offerings Expected To Boost Economy By $1 Million This Year
July 2009
If laughter is the best medicine, then the Paramount Theatre in downtown Rutland has the perfect prescription for any ailment.
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Vermont Firms Tell SBA Success Stories
July 2009
Here in Vermont, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps coordinate funding and counseling needs of small business by partnering with the Vermont Small Business Development Center, the Vermont Women's Business Center and SCORE.
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Seeking Federal Stimulus Funds? State Group Helps Businesses Secure Money
July 2009
Uncle Sam’s stimulus funds are available now. But, how to get to them is the question du jour.
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VEDA Helps Businesses Secure Needed Cash
July 2009
Businesses ranging from cookie companies and veterinary services to home builders have been the beneficiaries of money from the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA), which works with in-state banks to help companies obtain needed cash.
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New Route 100 Bridge To Open By September
July 2009
A new bridge on Route 100 North that will span the White River at Peavine Park in Stockbridge will open to traffic by Labor Day, according to Gordy Eastman, site superintendent for the project.
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Small Businesses Crucial To State’s Economic Health
July 2009
Small businesses will drive Vermont’s economic recovery.
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The Hills Come Alive With Regional Summertime Music, Theater Festivals
July 2009
Music and theater festivals spark to life during summertime in Vermont, bringing sights and sounds to the Green Mountains that lay dormant in the winter. These festivals attract hundreds of part-time residents, draw thousands of spectators and infuse millions of dollars into the economy.
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Spotlight On New Business: July 2009
July 2009
AllanB Portrait Studio
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Woodstock’s Quaint Shops, Community Make It More Than A Nice Place To Visit
July 2009
Woodstock’s appeal hasn’t diminished in the softening economy. The classic New England small town charm of Woodstock is intact, and its options for dining, lodging, shopping and outdoor recreation remain among the most highly regarded in the Northeast.
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Green Aspirations: LEED Classes Tout Sustainable Buildings
July 2009
People today are becoming attuned to sustainable practices of using energy-efficient light bulbs, insulating homes as creatively as possible and making heating systems more efficient.
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Roll The Credits – And Tax Breaks
Filmmakers Seek Incentives To Shoot Movies In Vermont
July 2009
The Vermont Film Commission (VFC) is working hard to offer new and improved financial incentives to filmmakers wishing to shoot movies in the Green Mountain State.
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Commercial Projects Ongoing Around Rutland County Despite Slow Economy
May 2009
Although the current economic slowdown would seem to have put a severe crimp in commercial real estate development, a number of regional projects appear to be underway – or at least in the planning stages.
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Marina Owners Look Forward To Summer
May 2009
Rutland and Addison County marina and marine services owners reported welcome signs in April that the 2009 boating season will be better than last year’s.
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Spotlight On New Business: June 2009
May 2009
Fitness Made Fun
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New Event Will Showcase Firms In Okemo Valley
May 2009
The tent at the Echo Lake Inn in Plymouth has hosted a variety of celebrations, including weddings. On July 8, it will host a different event: the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce’s first annual Business to Business Showcase.
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Availability of Vermont Slate Helps To Keep Local Lakes Region Humming
May 2009
Vermont is the only place in the world where it’s possible to quarry commercial quantities of Vermont Unfading Green slate.
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From Skiing To Summer
Ski Resorts Swing Into Warm Season
May 2009
As Vermont’s ski resorts switch to summer mode, many are swinging into the season with golf, while several are offering an expanded range of activities and events for both local and vacationing families to enjoy.
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Bicycle Tours Offer Unique View of VT
May 2009
Rural landscapes featuring sheep grazing in a meadow, rustic covered bridges spanning lazy rivers and perfectly coiffed village greens with bandstands outfitted in bunting make Vermont the idyllic setting for bicycle enthusiasts.
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Lake Bomoseen Hosts July 4th Celebration
May 2009
An Independence Day celebration wouldn’t be complete without a parade, especially when the festive procession is comprised of watercraft decked out in patriotic red, white and blue.
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New Artists Cooperative To Open In Downtown Rutland This Summer
May 2009
Handcrafters and artisans will soon have retail space, most likely in downtown Rutland, when Catamount Crafters Cooperative opens its doors July 4.
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Centennial Birthday Aims To Encourage Use Of Vermont’s Vast State Park System
May 2009
If you’ve ever wanted to hug a tree, this is the year to do it. And, while you’re sniffing pine needles and contemplating bark, wish a happy centennial birthday to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.
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Concerts On The Green Attract Revelers To The Lakes Region Of Rutland County
May 2009
Some communities in the Lakes Region offer Concerts on the Green during the summer, providing a lift to the spirits and a bonus to all the other attractions drawing visitors to the area.
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More Tourists Flock To Vermont
Visitors From Other States Ring Up $1.6 Billion For Vermont
May 2009
More than half of all tourists who visit Vermont hail from other states. But, when it comes to Vermonters, there’s no place like home.
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From Riding To Rodeos At The Pond Hill Ranch
May 2009
If horses, cattle and hoof-pounding excitement are what you want, Pond Hill Ranch can deliver it. Whether it’s watching skilled riders penning cattle at a summer rodeo or purchasing a family mount, this multi-generational family business also is multi-faceted.
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Tourism Spending
May 2009
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A Healthy Construction Sector
Health Care Provides A Welcome Boost To An Ailing Industry
February 2009
Health care-related construction and development is a bright spot amid the national slowdown in commercial development. Two national trends – an aging population, the need to upgrade aging facilities to accommodate new medical technologies and advances in patient care – are supporting a spate of health-related development across Vermont.
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New Eatery At Popular Mendon Spot
Noel’s Fills Void At Former Churchill’s Site
February 2009
Rutland businessman William (Bill) Noel has recently opened his newest restaurant at the site of the former Churchill’s Restaurant on Route 4 in Mendon.
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Historic Farmhouse Retooled To Offer Affordable Housing
February 2009
A 178-year-old farmhouse in Shoreham is being revamped into affordable housing for two families, thanks to a collaborative effort by area businesses.
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Spotlight On New Business
February 2009
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Manchester’s Zoning Office Wins Kudos
February 2009
Manchester’s Planning and Zoning Department recently won a certificate of merit from the Vermont Planners Association for an update to its 1986 historic sites and structures survey.
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Nonprofit Newspapers Represent A Small Yet Growing Trend Across The Country
February 2009
When Jeff Potter, owner of a small Massachusetts’ newspaper, agreed to become the editor of The Commons, a monthly community newspaper out of Brattleboro, VT, he did a bit more than take over a fledging local paper.
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Vermont Agencies Stand Ready To Offer Varied Retirement Assistance To Seniors
February 2009
The inevitability of growing older and all its associated concerns isn’t a topic people always like to consider or discuss: Do we have enough money to retire? Will my health stay strong? What will happen if I become ill?
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Vermont Trade Association Seeks To Cash In On The $252 Million Wedding Industry
February 2009
A three-year-old organization called the Vermont Association of Wedding Professionals (VAWP) is making folks around the state pay attention to an industry that reaped $252 million in 2003 and helps bring in revenue when there’s no snow on the mountains.
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Web Site Offers Handy Tips For Weddings in VT
February 2009
Bridal couples planning their storybook weddings would be wise to visit the Vermont Wedding Association’s Web site for a wealth of information regarding all aspects of weddings, receptions, honeymoons and life beyond the nuptials.
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Local Commercial Banks Weather Storm
February 2009
The credit crunch, which seems to have affected commercial lending all over the country doesn’t appear to apply to local banks – including those in Vermont. In Rutland, bank officials agree their banks have money to lend. Local banks have apparently avoided the sub-prime meltdown because traditional standards of banking have been maintained.
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Median price for a home built in Vermont
February 2009
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Scrapping Sprawl: Building Affordable Houses Downtown
February 2009
Vermont faces a pair of closely related conundrums when it comes to new housing:
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Local Officials Rate VT As Wedding Destination
February 2009
Will the current economic crisis help or hurt Vermont’s destination wedding business? How important do chambers of commerce and their constituents think the destination wedding business is to their own local economies?
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Revamped Web Site Offers More Features
February 2009
The Web site for the Rutland Herald has been revamped to take advantage of new features meant to serve readers and advertisers alike.
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Graphic Design Classes Popular At VT Colleges
February 2009
As technology continues to grow, so does the field of graphic design. The skills graphic design artists possess are in high demand in everything from print media to video games
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Small Businesses Need Creative New Strategies
February 2009
By now, the holiday season’s numbers are in and the typical winter lull has taken hold. Even in strong financial times, the late winter months are notoriously slow for many Vermont businesses. With the economy in recession, some may be facing their leanest times in years.
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Smart Growth Group Works To Increase Affordable Housing And Discourage Sprawl
February 2009
Smart Growth Vermont is an organization that tries to bolster development, affordability and conservation – all at the same time.
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Spotlight on Commercial Development
Few Changes Needed To Rutland Master Plan
February 2009
Under state law, every five years towns and cities must update their zoning and master plans, which outline goals and rules for development.
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Blooms Abound For Bridal Bouquets, Boutonnieres And Ceremony Backdrops
December 2008
Flowers are one of the most important components of a wedding. They make up the all-important bridal bouquet, while corsages and boutonnieres adorn members of the wedding party. Flowers serve as backdrops at a ceremony, and as centerpieces at a reception.
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Business Support Bolsters Area’s Nonprofit Groups
December 2008
The Rutland region has a vast array of nonprofit groups – most of which depend on support from the business community and volunteers to stay afloat.
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Rutland-Area Agent Honored As Vermont Realtor Of The Year
December 2008
Vermont’s Realtor of the Year has witnessed many cycles in Rutland’s commercial real estate market during the last 35 years. The good news?
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Sales Of Seasonal Sweets Set To Soar
December 2008
The retail candy industry is an especially strong indicator that the holidays are here.
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Snowboarders Get New Run At Killington
December 2008
An innovative snowboarding run that features natural terrain is opening this month at Killington Ski Resort.
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Rutland Group Works To Promote Farming
December 2008
Farming will become a larger contributor to Rutland’s economy if Greg Cox and his volunteer cohorts have their way.
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Fresh Food Brings Fame To Hardwick
Ag Center Attracts National Attention
December 2008
Fresh Food Brings Fame To HardwickGourmet magazine has pegged Hardwick, VT as “one of the most important food towns in America.” If media attention is any indication, what is unfolding in the small town gives new meaning to the fresh, locally grown food movement.
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Recovering Addicts Get Help At Turning Point
December 2008
Therapy isn’t always enough to help people who wants to turn their lives around after alcohol dependency or drug addiction.
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Former Prisoners Get Chance To Rebuild Their Lives At Dismas House in Rutland
December 2008
The house on Park Street in Rutland is much like other houses in the neighborhood, well kept, large and set on a postage stamp-sized plot of land. Inside the house are a maximum of 11 residents who live there for six to eight months.
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Ski Slopes Set For Snowy Season
Snowmaking At Top Of Improvements To Region’s Ski Resorts
December 2008
When skiers hit the slopes this winter, chances are they’ll find new and improved amenities at their favorite ski spots.
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December: Spotlight on New Business
December 2008
Imagine Gymnastics
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Turkey Farms Offer Fresh Birds For Table
Quality, Not Quantity Drives Vermont Market
November 2008
In Vermont, raising turkeys for the holidays is a small but time-honored business.
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Tree Growers Prepare For Holiday Sales Blitz
November 2008
Although national Christmas tree sales are expected to increase this year, some local Vermont wholesale growers report indications that sales volume may decrease in 2008.
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