PRESS ADVISORY

March 9, 2010
Contact: Ginny Colbert
802-828-2148

2010 Vermont Centennial Business Awards Announced

Vermont’s oldest businesses to be honored at a statehouse ceremony.

Montpelier – Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz, in partnership with the Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, will present the 2010 Centennial Business Awards at the statehouse on Wednesday, March 10, beginning with a reception at 4:00 p.m. and the award ceremony at 5:00 p.m.

The award acknowledges Vermont’s oldest businesses for enriching the economic heritage and enhancing community life during the last century and beyond. From all across Vermont, these honored businesses represent a wide range of entrepreneurs from country stores and farms to insurance companies. This year seven businesses will be honored for having survived not only into 2010 but for the past century in the competitive and often unforgiving business landscape.

Secretary of State Deb Markowitz says it is very important to showcase these quiet success stories. “Each business being honored has made an impact on Vermont’s economic landscape,” said Markowitz. “We know that it is not easy to endure in an ever changing economy and that those who have succeeded for 100 years or more have exhibited an extraordinary ability to remain flexible, entrepreneurial and to change with the times.”

"Vermont Business Magazine is proud to recognize these seven companies that have grown and prospered for more than 100 years of doing business in Vermont. Their contributions to our communities are far reaching which is exactly what you would expect from a great Vermont business,” says John Boutin, publisher of Vermont Business Magazine.

"Through hard work and dedication, the businesses receiving this award have continued to remain successful and have shown a commitment to the communities that they serve," says Betsy Bishop, president of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. "Each business has a unique story behind it and has played an important role in making Vermont such a unique and desirable place to live and work."

Honorees for 2010 are:

Snowsville General Store - East Braintree - est. 1830
Noyle W. Johnson Insurance - Montpelier - est. 1876
Kinney Pike Insurance Company - Rutland - est. 1904
Paige & Campbell, Inc. - Barre - est. 1907
R. Dente Market - Barre - est. 1907
Paquet Farm - Barre - est. 1909
Roblee Farm - Pawlet - est. 1909

For more information about the Centennial Business Awards, visit the Secretary of State’s webpage at http://www.sec.state.vt.us/centennial_business.html

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