Sign up now to reserve your space at the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce Business Show 2010 sponsored by Rutland Regional Medical Center. This years show will be held at the Holiday Inn on March 9, 2010 from 4:00-7:30pm.  With 65 of the 85 available vendor spaces sold we expect to sell the show out again this year.
Click Here for an Exhibitor Contract is attached to this issue of The Courier.  Spaces are sold on a first come, first pay basis with a limit on electricity and wall locations, so get your form in early.                  
Call the Chamber office at 773-2747 for more information or go to www.rutlandvermont.com

RRCC/REDC Legislative

Breakfast Series Continues

The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce and Rutland Economic Development Corp. held two Legislative Breakfasts sponsored by TD Bank in January.  The first, held January 11th was on the topic of UI Trust and featured Pat Moulton Powden, Commissioner, Vermont Department of Labor.  The second, held on January 25 featured Governor Jim Douglas.  The series will continue on February 8th at 7:30am at the Franklin Conference with a Legislative Panel.  The cost will be $8.00 and includes a full breakfast.

The Annual RRCC/REDC Legislative Bus Trip to the State House is scheduled for March 24th.  The day will include meetings with the Rutland County Delegation and State Officials including lunch at Capital Plaza.  The bus will depart RRCC promptly at 7:30am and return by 5:00pm.  The cost is only $10 per person.  Mark your calendar now and RSVP by clicking here.

For more information on the Public Policy Committee or Legislative Events call 773-2747 or go to www.rutlandvermont.com

January Mixer at Red Clover Inn

Annie and JD co-innkeepers at Red Clover Inn welcome the large crowd that was in attendance at the January Chamber Mixer.

Governor’s Award for Outstanding Workplace Safety

Vermont Governor Jim Douglas is scheduled to present the Governor’s Workplace Safety Awards at the annual Workplace Safety Conference May 13 in Burlington.

The prestigious Governor’s Award is the highest honor given by the State of Vermont in recognition of an employer’s commitment to the highest standards of safety and health in the workplace.

The Vermont Department of Labor will accept nominations until April 1. Any Vermont-based business is eligible for nomination.

 The criteria include:

• Experience modification rate of 0.90 or less
• Presence of an active safety committee
• A three consecutive year history of no work fatalities or catastrophic injuries
• Any Additional evidence of outstanding safety such as a significant number of days without a lost time injury. 

A screening group will review the nominations and make recommendations for finalists and recipients. The nominations will be divided into large, medium and small groups. Depending on the diversity of the applications, special recognition may be given.

Applicants are urged to keep in mind that the workplace is not just in a fixed location, but can also be on our roadways and other outdoor locations including temporary work sites. 

The Vermont Department of Labor will notify all businesses who are nominated, and may request additional documentation which would demonstrate the company’s commitment to workplace safety and health.

More information is available from becky.morris@state.vt.us.

Workers Comp Corner is sponsored by Poulos Insurance: For more information or rates on Workman's Compensation or any other business insurance contact Chuck Rose at Poulos Insurance, 802-775-4443.

Business Round Tables

Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce and Rutland Economic Development Corporation recently held two business round tables.  The first was with Lt. Governor Brian Dubie, the second was with Congressman Peter Welch.  This was a great opportunity for local business owners and leaders to express their concerns and receive feedback.

2010 is a new and promising year and I look forward to working with each of you and making it the best year possible.

Congratulations to United Way of Rutland and the Rutland County community for reaching their annual goal.

NEW PERK CARD ADDITIONS:  Sanctuary Integrative Medicine is offering a 10% discount off initial services in acupuncture, therapeutic massage, integrative manual therapy, Brennan energy healing, reiki and yoga dance.  Cozi Repro extends a 10% discount of first orders up to $1,000.00.

Join a committee, offer perk card discounts and get involved to receive the most benefits from your Chamber. I look forward to seeing you all at the next mixer at Community Care Network/Rutland Mental Health Services on February 9th.

Cozi Repro
Chris Cozi
PO Box 211, Rutland, VT  05702
Ph: 802-558-0518
Email: chris@cozirepro.com
www.cozirepro.com
Lowest price or I will match it. Printing stationary, envelopes, business cards, forms, books, brochures, posters, etc.

Joyce Hottenstein, DMD
1 Mayfield Rd, Rutland, VT  05701
Ph: 802-236-1730
Email: allenpondental@gmail.com

K & E Enterprises, Inc.
dba Northeast Cinema Service
Edward & Kim Horvath
25 Meadowlake Dr., Mendon, VT 05701
Email: ekhorvath25@msn.com
Movie theater equipment service and installation.

Entergy-Vermont Yankee
Larry Smith
PO Box 500, Brattleboro, VT 05302-0500
Ph: 802-258-4118
Email: lsmit14@entergy.com
www.safecleanreliable.com
Provides the state  nearly 1/3 of it's electrical needs employing over 600 employees and purchases goods/services from Vermont vendors.

Rutland Magazine/Mad Dog Ink, LLC
Tim Sink/Cassie Horner
PO Box 264, Woodstock, VT  05091
Ph: 802-672-2411
Email:rutlandmagads@vermontel.net
First published in September 2007.  Published quarterly and is distributed throughout Rutland County.  Food, The Arts, Rutland history, nature and profiles of people and events are all regular features.  Coming soon online at www.rutlandmagazineonline.com

Star Construction
Brian & Patty Starer
493 North Rd., Castleton, VT  05735
Ph: 802-468-8922
Email: bstarcon@aol.com
Petroleum Installation

Waldron & Rhodes Fine Jewelry
John A. Waldron
152 Woodstock Ave., Rutland, VT 05701
Ph: 802-747-4500 ~ 800-339-6898 Fax: 802-747-4503
Email: john@vermontdiamonds.com
www.vermontdiamonds.com

Wallingford Plumbing & Heating
Kevin Brown
PO Box 23, Wallingford, VT 05773
Ph: 802-446-3214
Plumbing & Heating

Merchants Bank New Branch

The ribbon is cut at the opening of the new branch of Merchants Bank.  The newest location is at 92 Woodstock Ave., Rutland.

From Our Members

Chaffee Art Center will present their 49th Annual Art in the Park Festivals on August 14 & 15 and October 9 & 10, 10am-5pm in Main St. Park in Rutland.  To exhibit or for more information call 802-775-8836.  An application is located on their web site www.chaffeeartcenter.org

College of St. Joseph has received a $50,000 grant from Community Fund, Inc.-The John Merck Fund to assist with the College’s STEPS (Students Taking an Effective Path to Success Program.  STEPS is an unique program designed specifically to meet the needs of Vermont foster youth transitioning to college.  This is the second year of the College’s pilot program in which six students are presently enrolled–three sophomores and three freshmen. For more information on the STEPS program call 802-773-5900.

Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Southern Vermont will hold their Home, Garden & Recreation Show on April 10, 2010-9:00am-3:00pm at Spartan Arena.  For more information call 802-773-0672.

Royal Technologies, A Royal Group Company has received the 2009 Best of Business Award in the Advanced Security and Fire Solutions category by the Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA).

Rutland County Community Advisory Board of Blue Cross Blue Shield invites you to participate in the upcoming Worksite Wellness Forum on February 9th, 8:30-11:00am at the CVPS/Leahy Community Health Education Center. For more information or to register call Megan Peak, 802-764-4858.

Rutland Regional Medical Center, Rutland Recreation and Parks Department, Rutland Area Physical Activity Coalition and other area organizations will hold Winter Fest 2010 on February 6th, 10am-2pm at the Giorgetti Park in Rutland. 

Rutland Regional Medical Center, Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging and The Rutland County Caregiver Coalition presents the 6th Annual “Caregivers Workshop-Share the Joys, Manage the Burdens.”  This workshop is open to anyone helping care for any aging, disabled or chronically ill family member, friend, neighbor or client.  The workshop will take place on February 10th, 9:30am-3:30pm at the CVPS/Leahy Community Health Education Center at RRMC.  Pre-registration is requested.  Call 802-786-5990.

Rutland Regional Medical Center announces the offices of OGI and Mid Vermont OBGYN have combined to create the new Rutland Regional Women’s Heathcare, a department of Rutland Regional Medical Center.  The new office is located at 147 Allen St., Rutland.  In addition there will be a second location on the second floor of Rutland Regional Medical Center.  For more information or to schedule and appointment call 802-773-7777 or 802-775-1974.

Rutland Regional’s Community Education & Wellness and Vermont Orthopedic Clinic present an educational forum to explain the benefits of minimally Invasive Knee and Hip Replacement Surgery.  The free forum will take place on April 15th, 6-7:30pm in the CVPS/Leahy Community Health Education Center at RRMC.  For more information or to register call 802-772-2400.

United Way of Rutland County will hold their annual allocations meeting for funding for the calendar year 2010 on March 4th at 10am at the United Way Office, in the first floor board room, located at the Longfellow School Building.  Any non profit agency with a 501( c )3 status, meeting additional qualifications may apply.  You must attend this meeting for participation in the allocations process.  Call 802-773-7477 for more information and to RSVP by February 19th.