July 13, 2006

For Immediate Release Tuesday, July 13, 2006

White River Junction, Vermont – The ink is dry on a lease agreement that allows The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) to expand its campus to include the telephone company building (circa1922). Verizon is providing the space at 7 Currier Street located rent-free. The building will be used as studio and classroom space.

“The Center for Cartoon Studies is a critical component to White River Junction’s economic and cultural revitalization efforts, and Verizon is thrilled to be partnering with a nonprofit that is so vital to its downtown,” says Verizon’s Vice President Pamela, Porell. “Verizon supports the local communities where we live and work, and we’re delighted we are able support CSS’s expansion efforts.”

CCS campus includes The Colodny building (a former department store circa early 1900’s) and The Schulz Library (a former fire house). “Verizon’s building is a great addition to the CCS campus.” says CCS Board Vice President Byron Hathorn, “The foot traffic that CCS produces throughout the village adds an exciting flavor to the downtown that hasn’t been seen in years. This will certainly help the school grow and attract students.”

“Verizon’s generosity supports our growth space needs by leveraging the underutilized building in the village. This donation enables us to sustain growth in programming. We’re incredibly thankful for their generosity. CCS adds vitality to the center of the village. It provides as a destination program in cartooning with national enrollment. Students are relocating and settling in the village for one or two years and becoming active citizens. It’s a visible difference in White River Junction and adds significant economic impact with students living and shopping in the village” says CCS cofounder and managing director Michelle Ollie.

The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS), located in the historic village of White River Junction, Vermont, is a dynamic cartooning school and studio that has been featured in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Farmer’s Almanac, and on the front page of The Washington Post. For more information, visit www.cartoonstudies.org.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving 53 million customers nationwide. Verizon Business operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks. Verizon Telecom is deploying the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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