Husky Injection Molding Systems announced in June its plan to construct a state-of-the-art plastic injection molding facility in Milton, where it expects to employ 240 people.

"Today, it is the company with the best work force that wins in our competitive global economy," said Schad. "We're looking forward to a tremendous future here."

The first phase of the new facility will require a $90 million investment and is expected to be completed in June 1998. Over the next 10 years, the company plans to expand to 700,000 square feet, with a work force of 1,000.

With such a large anticipated payroll for its new plant, Husky sought out a site that was likely to provide quality employees.

"We considered sites all over the United States for this investment," said Schad. "The hot runner operation we plan for the site will set new standards of excellence and will be a showcase of modern manufacturing."

Husky has manufacturing facilities in Canada and Luxembourg, and technical centers in Atlanta, Los Angeles and Japan. Its decision to open a new plant in Milton was made easier by the state government, which took the company through the permitting process.

"We were very demanding, but the Vermont team was up to every challenge we put before them," said Schad.

Vermont worked particularly hard to secure the Husky move because the company's investment in Vermont represents a true win-win situation.

"Our development mission is to bring high-wage jobs to the state while preserving the quality of life Vermont is known for," said William Shouldice IV, secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. "For companies like Husky that can bring us both sides of that equation, we're prepared to walk many extra miles."

With Husky, Shouldice said, the state "established a new direction. The state, business community and town all worked together with Husky to make this happen. It was one seamless mosaic."

The Vermont Job Service helps match companies with qualified employees based on a comprehensive database, and the state will pay up to 100 percent of pre-employment and classroom training costs and up to 50 percent of the wages of employees participating in on-the-job training.

Other training programs available to qualifying Vermont businesses include International Standards Organization (ISO)-9000 Classroom Training; on-the-job training for machinists and precision tool makers; custom training for manufacturing, service and research and development employees; on-the-job training for management; cross-cultural classroom training; and cross-over training for employees who seek greater job security and for companies who seek more cost-efficient operations.

Vermont is also safe. In fact, it was recently recognized as the safest state in the country. It also has low workers' compensation rates.

Vermont's status as a small New England state with a population of just 500,000 means its residents enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle with less stress and congestion than their big-city counterparts. The Rating Guide to Life in America's 50 States, published by Prometheus Books, rated Vermont No. 1. The guide used 125 criteria, including everything from per capita income to women-owned businesses, to rate the states, and gave Vermont a score of 666 out of a possible 1,000.

Colchester is a good example of Vermont's business communities. Located about 3 1/2 miles from downtown Burlington on Interstate 89, Colchester attracts general manufacturers, general office and retail businesses. It is close to Burlington International Airport and is just an hour-and-a-half from Dorval Airport in Montreal, Canada.

Like all businesses in Vermont, Colchester businesses are close to an international market, at the state's border with Canada. The area features 27 miles of shoreline along the beautiful Lake Champlain, and is served by six colleges and universities, including the University of Vermont in Burlington, which is home to the region's largest medical education and research facility.

Among the businesses that have a Colchester address are Coca-Cola, Paydata, Colburn Insurance Co. and Englebert Construction.

Vermont is positioned well in the country to allow its businesses to serve major markets easily. Within 500 miles of the state are Boston (170 miles), Buffalo (300 miles), Cleveland (500 miles), Montreal (115 miles), New York City (280 miles), Philadelphia (325 miles), Pittsburgh (460 miles) and Toronto (350 miles).

The nearby Port of Montreal is the closest to northern Europe, and Vermont is served by more than 300 toll-free miles of interstate highway, as well as major motor carriers with in-state terminals, and three year-round commercial airports.

Among the financial assistance programs available in Vermont are VEDA Subchapter 5 direct low-interest loans, industrial revenue bonds, VEDA Subchapter 2 mortgage insurance, export working capital guarantee, Financial Access Program and rural economic activity loans.

These and other programs in the state are designed to encourage business growth, and are administered through such organizations as Green Mountain Capital, Ltd., Vermont Venture Capital Corp., Vermont Community Development Program, the United States Small Business Administration, as well as 33 commercial banks and local and regional revolving loan funds.

Electricity in Vermont is abundant and the state's larger power companies offer lower rates for companies moving into their service areas.