Marlboro College, WTSA radio and the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation have announced a series of a panel discussions with members of local banks, colleges and other institutions to help citizens and small businesses in southern Vermont get answers during the current economic downturn.

Entitled “Surviving the Crisis,” the five public events build on the momentum created by recent visits to Brattleboro by Representative Peter Welch, Senator Patrick Leahy and Governor James Douglas to discuss the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Senator Leahy said in support of the series: "Despite the economic downturn facing our country, there are many innovative Vermonters who have great business ideas that could succeed in any business climate. I'm proud of the Vermonters working to develop new ideas and create new jobs here in Vermont and commend the participants of this year's business plan competition as well as the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation for finding a few bright spots in today's economy."

Each session will include a 60 minute panel discussion, followed by 45 minute breakout sessions. All panels are free and open to the public and will take place at the Marlboro College Graduate Center, located at 28 Vernon Street in Brattleboro. Interested participants can register at http://gradcenter.marlboro.edu/news/surviving_crisis.

In addition, a public forum will be held at the River Garden on Main Street on Thursday, April 16 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Most of the bank representatives from the first panel session will also participate in this event.

The first session, running 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm on Thursday, April 16, focuses on lending to consumers and small businesses. Panelists include bank presidents Dan Yates of Brattleboro Savings & Loan, Jeff Morse of River Valley Credit Union, and Michael Seaver of Chittenden, as well as TD Banknorth representative Phil Daniels and state SBA coordinator Darcy Carter.

David Dunn, a former banker and current counselor from the Small Business Development Center will lead a discussion panel about cash management for small businesses and individuals from 9:30 am to 12 noon on Saturday, April 18.

“Re-tooling with Education” is the title of the third panel, scheduled for 9:30 am to 12 noon on Saturday, April 25. Marlboro College president Ellen McCulloch-Lovell will be joined by representatives from the Marlboro College Graduate School, Keene State College, World Learning, the Howard Dean Education Center and the Windham Regional Career Center.

The series closes with a consumer strategies panel on Saturday, May 2, from 9:30 to 12 noon. Panelists will include Vermont Commissioner of Labor, Pat Moulton-Powden), Jim Brooks of Consumer Credit Counseling, Helen Daly from the Brattleboro Retreat, Bill Lax from the Union Institute and Mike Mandrachia of Richards Insurance Group.

Jeff Lewis, BDCC Executive Director, said of the series: “We know that everyone, businesses and individuals, is concerned about the economic crisis and how it affects them. President McCulloch—Lovell and I wanted to give people an opportunity to ask the questions and gather information that will help them survive this very hard time. Everyone will have their own concerns and will want to develop their own strategies; for that reason we have involved everything from banks to mental health. We are very appreciative of WTSA’s support in producing and promoting these events. They have extended the reach to people who could not attend in person.”

For more information, please contact the Marlboro College public relations office at 802-251-7644 or pr@marlboro.edu.