From the Producers of “Hotel Hell”

I am writing on behalf of the newest Gordon Ramsay show, “Hotel Hell” on FOX. This show is much like the Kitchen Nightmares format where we go into local Hotels and Inns and help turn them around. We will be shooting an episode in Windsor VT at the Juniper Hill Inn Feb 1st-Feb 5th, and we thought it might be of some interest to your readers.

While we shoot the show, the restaurant and Inn will be open to the public by reservation only. We are looking for people who want to dine and stay at the inn while we shoot, or be a part of the filming experience. This is not a free meal; all dinner patrons will have to pay for their own meal and drinks. The guest rooms will be available on select nights and the pricing has yet to be determined. They will be asked for their feedback by Gordon Ramsay.

For more information on reservations, email the reservation address: WindsorHotelshow@gmail.com.

We ask that all dinner requests include the first and last name, phone number and size of their party. If you have any questions please feel free to give me a call at 323-205-6447.

Unfortunately the staff of the Juniper Hill Inn is not available for comment at this time. All Producers and production staff are also not allowed to comment to any media while on site or filming. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email Jennifer Reed in the Fox PR department. Jennifer.Reed@fox.com. We look forward to hearing from you and working in your community – Hayden Mauk

An iconic former machine tool facility with state of the art fiber on the banks of the Black River in Springfield, Vermont. Learn more about the exciting One Hundred River Street project!

One Hundred River Street #2

The Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) is offering a three-hour workshop on how to start your own business. The course will be offered on Friday, January 20th from 9:00 am- noon in the conference room of the Springfield Regional Development Corporation at 14 Clinton Square in Springfield.
The seminar is designed for individuals who are thinking about going into business but need assistance with the procedures involved and government regulations regarding starting up a business in Vermont.
Space is limited. To register for the workshop sign up online at www.vtsbdc.org (click on the training tab). For questions, please email Heather Gonyaw at hgonyaw@vtsbdc.org. The registration fee is $40.00 / $45 for two.
NEW! Online option of the “Start Your Own Business” workshop
Based on our popular 3-hour workshop, this online course is now available for those individuals who are thinking about going into business and want a convenient way to access to same information. Instead of handouts, you will have exercises to do on your own and submit to an Area Business Advisor for feedback. This is the first step in working with VtSBDC as you determine whether there is a business in your good idea. You can register by going to the VtSBDC website www.vtsbdc.org.

Vermont Small Business Development Center is a non-profit partnership of government, education and business, organized to help Vermont small businesses succeed. Free advice is provided to existing business owners and new entrepreneurs throughout the state.
Visit our website at www.vtsbdc.org to find the advisor near you.
Vermont Small Business Development Center is a partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through its funding does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of any of the co-sponsors’ or participants’ opinions, products or services.

Lead developer Adam Winstanley of Winstanley Enterprises announced today that the company has entered into a joint venture agreement with Weston Solutions, Inc. (WESTON®) of Concord, N.H. and West Chester, PA for the development of a 25-35 megawatt woodchip-burning electric generating plant in the North Springfield Industrial Park. The companies filed a petition earlier today for a Certificate of Public Good from the Vermont Public Service Board for the project, which is known as the North Springfield Sustainable Energy Project (NSSEP). The project has been in the planning stages for several years.

First announced in 2009, the NSSEP is expected to create more than 600 jobs during its 18 month construction period, 400 of which will be in Windsor and Windham counties. After the plant is commissioned in 2014, it will contribute to some 160 ongoing jobs in Vermont, with a payroll of nearly $9 million annually. State tax revenues are estimated at approximately $4 million during construction and approximately $3 million per year from 2014 on. Approximately $15 million is expected in annual wood purchases from local foresters, roughly two-thirds of which would to come from Vermont sources, and the town of Springfield expects approximately $2 million in net annual increases to its budgeted revenues.

A key element of this project that separates it from virtually all other commercial scale renewable energy projects in Vermont is NSSEP’s plan to utilize the plant’s thermal waste to provide low cost heat to the North Springfield Industrial Park tenants though a “thermal loop.” In keeping with Winstanley Enterprises’ long-term strategic commitment to Vermont, NSSEP intends to provide below-market heat to users in the park to retain current tenants and to promote additional development.

“Adam Winstanley and his family have done everything right in working with local officials to bring this project from concept to permitting,” said Bob Flint, Executive Director of the Springfield Regional Development Corporation. “The NSSEP provides both a renewable energy resource and the commercial benefits of a unique thermal energy loop that will attract new industries to the park, making it a hub of economic activity in an area that badly needs a shot of adrenaline.”

Winstanley Enterprises is a family-owned company with headquarters in Concord, MA. It has a long and respected track record throughout New England for renovating vacant and underutilized properties. Its developments in Vermont include projects in both Brattleboro and Springfield.

In WESTON Winstanley has a partner who shares its commitment to working closely with local officials on projects that are not only economically viable and ecologically sustainable, but also meet the best interests of the community. For more than 50 years, WESTON has worked nationally and globally on a broad range of sustainable projects, from redeveloping contaminated properties to developing community-scaled renewable/clean energy projects. Among its projects are a coal-to-biomass fuel boiler conversion in Michigan and photovoltaic power systems for the city of Newark, N.J., and on a Superfund site in southwestern Massachusetts.

“WESTON seeks actively to engage community stakeholders throughout the development process to gain their input and advice; and just as importantly, we look to become an active and positive member of the community,” said Kathleen McGinty, WESTON senior vice president and managing director for strategic growth. “Adam Winstanley and his team are good partners for us because they live these values as well. We are impressed by their two years of work in and with community residents and leaders, and we are thrilled to join an effort that delivers solid economic and environmental benefits.”

“Today’s CPG announcement is the culmination of a lot of people’s hard work,” Winstanley said. “I am convinced that this project, which will bring clean power and green jobs to the Springfield area, will be a real boon to the economy in this region and a real asset to Springfield, Windsor County and the state of Vermont. This project makes sense for all of the right reasons, and we are pleased with the support we have gotten from the Springfield community.”

The project will take approximately a year and a half to construct after permits are obtained. It is expected that the plant would be commissioned in the middle or last half of 2014.

*Briefings on Pending Federal and State Health Care Changes and What Employers and Employees Need to Know*

Associated Industries of Vermont, with the support of several state and regional business organizations, will host a series of special briefings to help Vermont employers learn about how the state’s new health care laws will impact your insurance choices in the coming years, and what you can do to weigh in on these changes and the choices being made for the state. The briefings will focus on the state’s implementation of federal reforms and look to the intended implementation of single payer healthcare. Presentations will be made by insurance reform experts Susan Gretkowski and Heidi Tringe of MacLean Meehan and Rice, LLC.

The meeting in this region will be on January 9th in Chester at the Newsbank Conference Center from 9:00 am to 11:30 am (8:30 registration) Co-Sponsored by Springfield Regional Development Corporation.

*Registration:* Contact William Driscoll of AIV at (802) 223-3441 or*info@aivt.org* at least one business day in advance of the briefing you would like to attend to register and ensure seating, and for any additional information or directions (early registration is encouraged). Registration is $15 and includes refreshments and materials.

The Vermont Employee Ownership Center (VEOC) is offering a free workshop entitled “Selling to the Employees: Employee Ownership as a Path for Business Succession” on December 12th from 2:00 to 5:00 pm in the offices of one of Vermont’s newest employee-owned businesses, Sonnax Industries in Bellows Falls, Vermont.

The workshop will provide a brief overview of ownership succession options, and will focus on the pros and cons of different forms of employee ownership and the key financial and organizational benefits of this approach.

Presenters include Tommy Harmon, President and CEO of Sonnax, who will share the story of how the company became 100% employee-owned, Bill Kidder, Eastern Region Manager and Vice President for Corporate Banking at Merchants Bank, who will discuss financing for an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, and Don Jamison, Program Director of the VEOC.

The event is co-sponsored by the Vermont Small Business Development Center, the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation, and the Springfield Regional Development Corporation. Refreshments will be served. There is no registration fee, but advance registration is required. For more information and to register, please visit www.veoc.org or call 802-321-8362.

*_FEMA Deadlines for Registration – URGENT_*

The deadline for registering with FEMA is quickly approaching. It is very important for all municipalities, private non-profits, individuals and businesses impacted by Hurricane Irene to register with FEMA by the deadlines listed below. If you are an _Individual or Small Business_ and need assistance registering or completing a FEMA application, please visit one of the FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers listed in the _Information and Resources_ section of this email. Registration takes about 20 minutes and is an important part of determining the level of assistance for Vermont. Once registered, you should be contacted by a FEMA representative within 2-3 days to schedule a site inspection. The Disaster Recovery Centers can also assist you in following up with FEMA once you have registered. Deadline Oct. 31^st .

If you are a municipality or _Private Non-Profit_ and you need assistance completing a Request for Public Assistance form, please contact Alex Portalupi at 802-828-3889 or Gary Schelley at 802-828-0425.
Deadline Oct. 1^st (Oct. 17^th for Grand Isle County)

*_Public Assistance and Private Non-Profit Organizations_**– Deadline Oct. 1^st (Oct. 17 for Grand Isle County)*

Government agencies and certain private non-profit organizations needing funds to rebuild infrastructure damages caused by hurricane Irene must register with FEMA no later than *Oct. 1, 2011 (Oct. 17^th for Grand Isle County).*

FEMA’s Public Assistance (Infrastructure) program reimburses state and municipal governments the cost of eligible emergency protective measures, debris removal, and can fund the repair, restoration, reconstruction or replacement of public infrastructure such as roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and contents, public utilities and parks, and other recreational facilities damaged during a disaster. At this time, FEMA will fund up to 75 percent of the cost of approved projects.

Some private non-profit organizations may qualify for aid to restore certain types of facilities that include educational, utility, emergency, medical, custodial care, and other facilities that provide essential government types of services.

If you were affected and need assistance in your recovery you have until October 1, 2011(Oct. 17th for Grand Isle County) to file the Request for Public Assistance (RPA) form.Please click here to download a copy of the RPA form.
The completed form should be faxed to 802-828-2848.

If you need assistance in completing the form, please contact:

Alec Portalupi: 802-828-3889, email: alec.portalupi@state.vt.us
Gary Schelley: 802-828-0425, email: gary.schelley@state.vt.us

FEMA, working with the Vermont Agency of Transportation, will make a determination if the services provided by Private Non-Profit organizations are defined as critical or non-critical. If FEMA determines that the services provided are non-critical, you will be required to exhaust assistance from SBA before being considered for assistance from FEMA through the state of Vermont.

Registering with FEMA does not obligate you to accept assistance. If you miss the deadline however, you will not be eligible for consideration of disaster relief funding.

*_Individuals and Small Businesses_**- Deadline Oct. 31st*

Individuals and Small-Businesses needing funds for housing related expense or to rebuild after damages caused by hurricane Irene must register with FEMA no later than *Oct. 31, 2011.* If you have not yet registered, please do so by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.

Disaster assistance for Individuals may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance and other sources. There are no income limits when applying for FEMA emergency assistance. If you are denied assistance, it is important to follow up with FEMA to find out why assistance was denied and to determine the process for appealing that determination. If you need assistance completing your registration, applying for funds or appealing a determination, please visit one of the local disaster recovery centers. (_See Information and Resources Below_).

If you are an Individual and you have received an SBA disaster loan application in the mail, it is important to fill it out and return it.
You are not obligated to accept a loan, however filling out an application will determine your eligibility for a loan should you need additional compensation above the currently allocated grant amount.

*_FEMA Deadlines for Registration – URGENT_*

The deadline for registering with FEMA is quickly approaching. It is very important for all municipalities, private non-profits, individuals and businesses impacted by Hurricane Irene to register with FEMA by the deadlines listed below. If you are an _Individual or Small Business_ and need assistance registering or completing a FEMA application, please visit one of the FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers listed in the _Information and Resources_ section of this email. Registration takes about 20 minutes and is an important part of determining the level of assistance for Vermont. Once registered, you should be contacted by a FEMA representative within 2-3 days to schedule a site inspection. The Disaster Recovery Centers can also assist you in following up with FEMA once you have registered. Deadline Oct. 31^st .

If you are a municipality or _Private Non-Profit_ and you need assistance completing a Request for Public Assistance form, please contact Alex Portalupi at 802-828-3889 or Gary Schelley at 802-828-0425.
Deadline Oct. 1^st (Oct. 17^th for Grand Isle County)

*_Public Assistance and Private Non-Profit Organizations_**– Deadline Oct. 1^st (Oct. 17 for Grand Isle County)*

Government agencies and certain private non-profit organizations needing funds to rebuild infrastructure damages caused by hurricane Irene must register with FEMA no later than *Oct. 1, 2011 (Oct. 17^th for Grand Isle County).*

FEMA’s Public Assistance (Infrastructure) program reimburses state and municipal governments the cost of eligible emergency protective measures, debris removal, and can fund the repair, restoration, reconstruction or replacement of public infrastructure such as roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and contents, public utilities and parks, and other recreational facilities damaged during a disaster. At this time, FEMA will fund up to 75 percent of the cost of approved projects.

Some private non-profit organizations may qualify for aid to restore certain types of facilities that include educational, utility, emergency, medical, custodial care, and other facilities that provide essential government types of services.

If you were affected and need assistance in your recovery you have until October 1, 2011(Oct. 17th for Grand Isle County) to file the Request for Public Assistance (RPA) form.Please click here to download a copy of the RPA form.
The completed form should be faxed to 802-828-2848.

If you need assistance in completing the form, please contact:

Alec Portalupi: 802-828-3889, email: alec.portalupi@state.vt.us
Gary Schelley: 802-828-0425, email: gary.schelley@state.vt.us

FEMA, working with the Vermont Agency of Transportation, will make a determination if the services provided by Private Non-Profit organizations are defined as critical or non-critical. If FEMA determines that the services provided are non-critical, you will be required to exhaust assistance from SBA before being considered for assistance from FEMA through the state of Vermont.

Registering with FEMA does not obligate you to accept assistance. If you miss the deadline however, you will not be eligible for consideration of disaster relief funding.

*_Individuals and Small Businesses_**- Deadline Oct. 31st*

Individuals and Small-Businesses needing funds for housing related expense or to rebuild after damages caused by hurricane Irene must register with FEMA no later than *Oct. 31, 2011.* If you have not yet registered, please do so by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.

Disaster assistance for Individuals may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance and other sources. There are no income limits when applying for FEMA emergency assistance. If you are denied assistance, it is important to follow up with FEMA to find out why assistance was denied and to determine the process for appealing that determination. If you need assistance completing your registration, applying for funds or appealing a determination, please visit one of the local disaster recovery centers. (_See Information and Resources Below_).

If you are an Individual and you have received an SBA disaster loan application in the mail, it is important to fill it out and return it.
You are not obligated to accept a loan, however filling out an application will determine your eligibility for a loan should you need additional compensation above the currently allocated grant amount.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the opening of a Business Recovery Center in Springfield, Vermont. Businesses affected by Tropical Storm Irene that occurred between Aug. 27 and Sept. 2 should come to the Center to apply for disaster assistance.

The Center opens Wednesday, Sept. 21st at the Office of the Springfield Regional Development Corporation, 14 Clinton Street, Springfield, VT 05156, the operating hours are from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. closed on Sundays, until further notice.

The space being utilized for the Business Recovery Center was obtained through a coordinated effort by the Vermont District Director and the Executive Director of the Springfield Regional Development Corporation, Bob Flint.

SBA’s representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Center to issue loan applications, answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process and assist business owners in completing their applications.

“Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets,” said Darcy Carter, SBA’s Vermont district director.” The SBA may increase a loan up to 20 percent of the total amount of disaster damage to real estate and/or leasehold improvements, as verified by SBA, to make improvements that lessen the risk of property damage by future disasters of the same kind.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private non-profit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

To obtain additional assistance call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET or send an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Those affected by this disaster may fill out a loan application online by visiting SBA’s website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is October 31, 2011. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 1, 2012. For more information about the SBA’s Disaster Loan Program, visit our website at www.sba.gov.