Title: Vermont Letter to Stockholders: Authorization and Sale of Preferred Stock and Stock Transfer Restriction to Protect Tax Benefits Keywords: Vermont letter to stockholders, authorization and sale of preferred stock, stock transfer restriction, tax benefits Dear [Stockholder's Name], We are delighted to inform you about an important matter concerning the authorization and sale of preferred stock in Vermont. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with detailed information regarding the preferred stock offering and the implementation of stock transfer restrictions to safeguard the tax benefits associated with this transaction. As a valued stockholder of our company, we believe it is vital to keep you informed about our strategic decisions and initiatives. The authorization and sale of preferred stock present an opportunity for us to strengthen our financial position and support our long-term growth objectives. Vermont has carefully evaluated the potential of issuing preferred stock to raise capital. By offering this new class of stock, we aim to provide investors with an attractive investment vehicle that offers specific advantages and financial incentives. Preferred stockholders will be entitled to priority in dividend distributions and are typically given preferential treatment in the event of liquidation. This structure helps diversify our capital structure and allows us to attract a broader range of investors. However, to protect the valuable tax benefits associated with the issuance of preferred stock, we have implemented specific stock transfer restrictions. These restrictions are essential to ensuring that we comply with federal tax regulations and keep the tax advantages intact. The transfer restrictions are designed to prevent any unintended transfer of preferred stock that may jeopardize our ability to retain these benefits. We kindly request your support and cooperation in adhering to these stock transfer restrictions. By incorporating stock transfer restrictions, we can secure the following tax benefits: 1. Qualified Small Business Stock (SBS) Exclusion: The preferred stock issuance allows us to potentially qualify for the SBS exclusion under Section 1202 of the Internal Revenue Code. This exclusion may result in substantial tax savings for stockholders if eligible criteria are met. 2. Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Benefits: The qualified preferred stock offering may also provide certain AMT benefits, thereby reducing the potential tax liability for eligible stockholders. 3. Potential Future Tax Incentives: By maintaining the tax benefits through stock transfer restrictions, we ensure eligibility for any potential future tax incentives or credits related to the preferred stock offering, as introduced or amended by federal or state legislation. We would also like to emphasize that the stock transfer restriction does not affect your ability to sell or transfer other classes of our stock that you own. In summary, Vermont is excited to announce the authorization and sale of preferred stock to fortify our financial position and drive long-term growth. By implementing stock transfer restrictions, we can preserve the significant tax benefits associated with this offering, such as the SBS exclusion and potential AMT benefits. We urge you to carefully review the provided details and comply with the stock transfer restrictions to ensure the continued protection of these tax advantages. Thank you for your continued trust and support as a stockholder of Vermont. Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact our investor relations team. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Company Name]