Co-op la Maison Verte is dreaming of a green Christmas
For Bing Crosby, a white Christmas was all he could dream about, but for Jason Hughes, the holidays have a different hue. Hughes, the general co-ordinator of Co-op la Maison Verte, would like to encourage people to think about the holidays in a different light. Think green! “We are trying get people to think about other ways to approach the holidays,” said Hughes. “There are a lot of things that you can do that aren’t about materialism and consumption. It should be about thoughtful gifts, and having less of an impact on the planet.”

New face at Community Futures Sherree Walters has taken the reins as the new executive director
One of the major players in the development of the central Island economy has a new leader – and she’s eager to enhance its already vital role. Sherree Walter has taken the reins as executive director of Community Futures (Central Island), an independent, non-profit organization that has helped bring millions of dollars and thousands of jobs into the region. “One of the most important roles for Community Futures is being a resource to the small businesses, community organizations, and individuals in the communities we serve,” says Walter, who has an extensive background with community economic and social development. In addition to highly successful entrepreneurial loans and self-employment programs, “our greatest strengths are our knowledge bank, our networks, our ability to find the information needed, and our ability to refer to the right person/entity.” Those strengths have been parlayed, since Community Futures’ inception here in 1975, into assistance for nearly 3,000 businesses, including more than $10 million in debt and equity financing that levered an additional $20 million from other sources, and more than 2,500 jobs.