Upper Valley Chamber of Commerce

"Gateway to the Upper Valley Region"

CHAMBER NEWS & VIEWS, Spring/Summer 2004
PROTECTING YOUR TAX DOLLARS:

You may have heard about an investigation, State of Vermont officials finally undertook, to determine if tax funding was being correctly spent, in a statewide tourism program. It required
persistence, on the part of Upper Valley Chamber to accomplish this, but, after 6 years, officials finally recognized the need to assess Vermont’s Regional Marketing Organization
program, (RMO) and our Eastern Vermont RMO program in particular.

Though there were annual contracts in place that spelled out exactly how the money was to be used, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, (ACCD), findings indicate
certain local chamber leaders redirected portions of funds, intended to benefit a 30 town region in Vermont, into other endeavors that ultimately either supported operating costs for
specific chamber groups or only promoted efforts in a few specific towns. The report further states that what occurred in our region was not an isolated incident in Vermont and may
have been, in part, the result of a lack of clear consistent guidelines.

It became evident that there has been no real accountability in any part of ACCD’s Regional Block Grant Partnership program, since its inception in 1996. In effect, many, many millions
of dollars have been distributed to specific regional planning commissions, regional economic development corporations and regional marketing organizations with no solid system of
verification in place, regarding how funds were actually spent.

But now that ACCD and specifically the Vermont Department of Tourism are aware of some of the misuses that took place, we are hopeful that positive changes will occur, as a result of
the investigation, to prevent future abusive spending.

One change that took place, at the behest of the Tourism Department, is that the “regional marketing organization” program has been renamed the “regional marketing program”.
Therefore, Eastern Vermont RMO has been renamed the Eastern Vermont Regional Marketing Program, (RMP).

But, just as before the investigation, one or two local chambers receive and “administer” the grant funds. An advisory council continues to exist, in oversight capacity, with many of the
same participants as before. And, as before, the Upper Valley Regional Chamber sits on that advisory council, in order to continue to keep businesses in the region informed of events.

At the conclusion of their investigation, ACCD generated a 25 page report. Interested parties, in the Upper Valley Region, may contact the Upper Valley Chamber for a copy of that
report. We are making it available so that business owners can be fully aware of what has occurred and therefore, better able to understand and gauge Vermont State officials’ point of
view and course of action. And perhaps, more Vermont based tourism businesses will decide to become directly involved in the State’s regional marketing program, at this time, in order
to affect its present course of action, as well as its future outcome.

A FINAL NOTE:

Certainly, we all have a great deal to gain with effective oversight and sound accountability in place, in both Vermont & New Hampshire. Therefore, Upper Valley Bi-State Regional
Chamber remains strongly committed to looking out for all our member businesses. As the “Regional Chamber”, it is our job to ensure fair and equal opportunities are made available to
you, to advance your business interests, in and around the Upper Valley Bi-State region, regardless of the town your business is located in.

LISTING EVENTS in your TOWN....If you have an event taking place in the next year, please contact the Upper Valley Regional Chamber. We are creating an on-going Events Page on
our web site. Plus, we are working with the Eastern Vermont RMP, to list our region’s events in a pamphlet, as well. So, please contact us, especially if your event is an annual endeavor.

UPPER VALLEY REGIONAL CHAMBER MAP PROJECT:

As there continues to be tremendous demand for a Bi-State regional map of the Upper Valley, I have met with a representative from Burco International, a top map and brochure printing
company, in business for 30 years. Mr. David Mathis, of Burco International, will be contacting you regarding our Bi-State map, to provide you the opportunity to advertise your
business.

Our new map will not be time sensitive which means they will be made available for as long as they last, not tossed in the trash after a certain date. Advertisement rates are extremely
affordable though limited. Plus our Upper Valley maps will not only be made available at our two information log cabins but also displayed, in its entirety, on our heavy traffic web site!

MEMBERSHIP PLAQUES VERSUS MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATES:

The Board of Directors feels that it is time to transition away from paper “membership certificates” into a professional wooden plaque, to be proudly displayed at your business office.
We are offering the plaques for a nominal fee, but will be providing you an emblem to update each year of membership.

The cost of the plaque is ultimately to be determined by the number of members who participate in the transition. We will make every effort to keep costs at a minimum while still creating
an attractive wall adornment. At this time projected costs are running $35 dollars per plaque.

However, those members who prefer our standard paper “membership certificates” will be sent that document as a continued courtesy of membership. Members will be contacted to
indicate their choice.

A NEW WAY TO COMMUNICATE:

In an effort to make communication more efficient, we will be sending our news letter via e-mail, to members who have provided us their e-mail address. We will continue to mail hardcopy
to all others. And, as usual, our news letter will continue to appear in It’s Classified, which reaches 16,000 homes and businesses.

THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP:

As you know, our continued ability to safeguard your business interests, to provide your business exposure, and/or to send you referrals, depends solely upon your continued
membership and continued support of the Upper Valley Bi-State Regional Chamber. Not only does your membership insure that we remain your representative at local, regional and State
levels of activity, but you also receive one of the most affordable means of advertising your business available to you.

As a chamber member, your business is listed at three different locations on the Upper Valley Regional Chamber web site. Best of all, our web site receives 100 visitors daily and has
received almost 40,000 visitors in just one year! With the potential for that much exposure, you may want to consider upgrading your web promotion to one of our specific offerings such
as a Sponsorship Hot Button or even a business card advertisement. To learn more about promotional opportunities on the Upper Valley Regional Chamber web site, contact our office
at 802-295-6200.

PLEASE WELCOME Ms. Pam DeHaven, our new Membership Director. She will be calling upon you, as well as dropping by, to shake your hand and present you with your membership
plaque or membership certificate. If you haven’t already indicated your choice of plaque of certificate, when Pam calls to say “hello”, you will be able to let her know of your selection, at
that time.

WE WISH TO THANK all our members, at this time, for responding to our recent mailing and for promptly returning your renewal membership information sheets. AND We look forward
to offering you continued good service as a member of the Upper Valley Bi-State Regional Chamber of Commerce.

PHONE PROGRM:

UNICEL is offering a Business Long Distance Plan through the Upper Valley Chamber. Unicel’s “5.9 Cent Plan” applies to all instate and state-to-state calling within the U.S. for only
$0.059/min, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To learn more about calling cards and their toll free service at only $1.50 per line, per month, contact the Upper Valley Chamber at 802-295-6200.
Or contact Tracy Gamelin, Toll Free: 877-754-5083. Email: Tracyag@rccw.com.

SOVERNET:

SoVerNet is Vermont's Sovereign Connection for Telephone and Internet Services

Create your own "Service bundle" & save a bundle!

SoVerNet is Vermont's largest, statewide, locally owned, one-company/one-bill provider

of complete communications services. SoVerNet offers Dial-up and DSL internet access

as well as local and long distance telephone service to Vermont's residential and business customers.

Combine services and SAVE UP TO 20% Contact: Gregg Noble (802) 463-2111 x126. He can set up your free business phone-bill audit! grgnoble@sover.net or
www.sover.net

Please indicate you heard about this offer via Upper Valley Regional Chamber.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PLACING YOUR BUSINESS AD IN THE UPPER VALLEY CHAMBER NEWS LETTER, contact the chamber office at 802-295-6200.

SPONSORS:

AMERICAN FINANCIAL SERVICES, White River Junction, VT

BARGAIN BUILDING SUPPLIES, Fairlee, VT

BEST WESTERN AT THE JUNCTION, White River Junction, VT

COUNTRY QUILTERS EMPORIUM, White River Junction, VT

FARM-WAY INC., Bradford, VT

GLOBEINT.COM INC., Lebanon, NH

GRAY’S AUCTION, E. Thetford, VT

LAKE MOREY INN, Fairlee, VT

LEDGEWORKS INC., Lebanon, NH

MAD PROPHIT, White River Junction, VT

MCLAUGHRY ASSOCIATES, Norwich, VT

MILLER CONSTRUCTION, Windsor, VT

NORTHEAST WASTE SERVICES, Hartford, VT

PERMA-CHINK SYSTEMS, INC., Clinton, ME

REAL LOG HOMES, Hartland, VT

RICHARD’S ELECTRIC, Wilder, VT

ROUND BARN SHOPPE, Piermont, NH

SCOTT HAWKINS COMMUNICATIONS, W. Lebanon, NH

SHAPES FITNESS CENTER, White River Junction, VT

CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, Lebanon, NH

VOX-RADIO GROUP, W. Lebanon, NH

WNNE-TV 31, White River Junction, VT

GOLD CLUB MEMBERS:

Alden Country Inn, Lyme, NH

Breakfast on the Connecticut, Orford, NH

Carriage Shed, White River Junction, VT

Chapman’s Store, Fairlee, VT

Dowd’s Country Inn, Lyme, NH

Green Mountain Power, Hartford, VT

Kinney-Pike Insurance, Hartford, VT

Lake House Inn, Post Mills, VT

Mascoma Savings Bank, Lebanon, NH

North Chapman Builders, Post Mills, VT

Professional Moving Services, Lebanon, NH

TMCI, Norwich, VT

Winslow Printing, White River Junction, VT

Worksite Solutions, Burlington, VT

NEW MEMBERS:

Allechante, Norwich, VT

Beilman Architecture, Bridge Water, VT

J.B. Woodworx Inc., Fairlee, VT

Lake Morey Inn, Fairlee, VT

Ledgeworks, Inc., Lebanon, NH

L.C. Assoc. Custom Homes, Bradford, VT

Marlis Sorge, MA. LCMHC. (Psychotherapist), Thetford, VT

Monica Descamps, Ph. D., (Clinical Psychologist), Norwich, VT

North Chapman Builders, Post Mills, VT

Patenaude Plasterers, Hartland, VT

Regency Inn & Suites, White River Junction, VT

Rexford Real Estate Sales, Norwich, VT

Unified Buddhist Church, Hartland Four Corners, VT

INFORMATION LOG CABINS:

If you are interested in volunteering your time at one or both of our Information log cabin(s), please contact the Upper Valley Chamber office. This is a wonderful opportunity to greet
visitors and neighbors, alike. Plus you have the opportunity to direct traffic directly to your own business, since you are there to greet travelers and give out information about regional
businesses and places of interest!

Also it is time to make certain we have current information and hand outs from you to put in the cabins. Please mail your pamphlets to Upper Valley Chamber, P.O. Box 697, WRJ, VT
05001.

Past Newsletters:

Winter 2002

Spring/Summer 2003

Spring/Summer 2004