Governor, Community Leaders to Preview New Promotional Vermont Video Tonight in Rutland

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. - A new promotional video touting the advantages of doing business in Vermont will premiere tonight in Rutland as the state launches a marketing campaign designed to encourage businesses to invest and expand in the state.

"Vermont! The Perfect Balance," is a marketing package that was produced for the Department of Economic Development by Verizon. The promotional "tool kit," which includes a video, a CD-ROM, direct mail pieces and other printed materials, is valued at $150,000.

"This is a celebration of Vermont, our resources, our people and our way of life," said Gov. Howard Dean, M.D. "I'm delighted that Verizon has made this investment. Because of this package we can show businesses worldwide that in Vermont you can have it all."

Gov. Dean and representatives from state and local government, education, business and health care will attend the premiere at the Paramount Theatre.

The marketing package will be used by the department and the state's twelve Regional Development Corporations to attract businesses to Vermont from throughout the United States and around the world. It is the first time the department and the Regional Development Corporations will have a statewide marketing package.

"Vermont offers businesses the benefits of a skilled workforce, a world-class telecommunications infrastructure and an unparalleled quality of life," said Louise McCarren, president of Verizon Vermont. "It's a tremendous economic story and this new marketing package that Verizon created for Vermont will help tell that story."

Verizon selected Vermont for the company's Region of Choice initiative for 2001. The Verizon program markets the assets of a region beyond its boundaries in an effort to attract employers and additional jobs to the area. A region can be a number of communities, counties or a state.

"As the title of the marketing package says, Vermont truly is the perfect balance, " said Molly Lambert, secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. "It will be used as part of the agency's overall business attraction and retention strategy. We are very excited to have this tool at our disposal."

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 128.5 million access line equivalents and 28.7 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with 256,000 employees and approximately $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.