Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced two leadership appointments: Nate Formalarie as deputy commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and Heather Pembrook as deputy commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Vermont Business Magazine The Open Enrollment period for Vermont’s health insurance marketplace, known as Vermont Health Connect, is ending soon, but there is still time for eligible Vermonters to enroll or make changes to their plan. January 15 is the last day to enroll for qualified health plan coverage in 2024. Any eligible Vermonter can enroll via Vermont Health Connect by January 15 for coverage starting February 1. This year, the Department of Vermont Health Access has announced that online self-service is available through the end of Open Enrollment. Additionally, any customer currently enrolled in a qualified health plan can change their plan during this time. The Plan Comparison Tool is a resource available to Vermonters to help select the right plan for their needs. 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.27 per gallon, down 2.8 cents per gallon from last week's $3.30/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.89/g while the highest was $3.49/g, a difference of 60.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.06/g today. The national average is down 17.3 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 12.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont has topped the list of Top Moving Destinations of 2023 according to the 2023 National Movers Study by United Van Lines, the nation’s largest household goods mover. In 2023, more residents moved into Vermont than out of the state, with 65% of moves being inbound.  The study showed that of moves to Vermont, moving to be closer to family (29%) led the reason for relocating to the state, followed by a lifestyle change (20%). The study also revealed a continued trend that Americans are moving to more affordable, lower-density areas across the country, and movers are also becoming more strategic with their planning, as relocation continues to be driven by factors such as the price of housing, regional climates, urban planning and job growth. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) released the following statement on the U.S. Secretary of State’s announcement of a major arms sale to Israel this week: “For the second time in a matter of weeks, the Secretary of State has approved the sale of tens of thousands of rounds of artillery ammunition to Israel, by circumventing Congress’s right of prior review. This type of heavy ammunition has been used to devastating effect in Gaza, contributing to the death and injury of countless civilians and the displacement of an estimated 2 million people who are facing daily bombardment without access to adequate food, water, shelter, or medical care."

by Camila Van Order González, Community News Service Nathan Bean, Tsuki Puddicombe and Bailey Lefebvre had only briefly seen each other in their gyms before the Covid-19 lockdowns. When facilities closed, they were forced to find alternative ways to work out. They found themselves parallel to each other practicing the aerobatic sport of hopping ledges, scaling walls and running roofs. Buds of friendship blossomed. “We got lucky that we found each other,” said Puddicombe, a 32-year-old Stowe resident. “Because of the pandemic, everyone was bored, trying to find things to do outside.” In the years since, their informal group has become a full-fledged crew of parkour practitioners. 

by Heather Smires and Taylor Brink from ABC & LOL Child Care Center & Preschool in St Johnsbury On behalf of every early childhood educator who has worked so hard over the years to stay in the field when wages were low, stress was high, wait lists were long, and patience was short, we want to say thank you to lawmakers for stepping up and making the 2023 Child Care Bill a reality. We know there is more to do and there’s still a lot of hard work ahead to fully solve the child care crisis, but we are already seeing positive impacts from this legislation and our state’s children, families, and economy will be so much stronger for it.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets The Vermont Pay for Performance Program (VPFP) provides performance-based payments to Vermont farmers for reducing phosphorus losses from their agricultural fields. Applications are open January 2nd through January 31st.  To be eligible for the program, farms must manage crop, hay and/or pastureland, ensure their farm business is registered with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), have an up-to-date Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) that meets the Required Agricultural Practices for their farm size, and have updated maps for their fields.

by Representative Seth Bongartz, et al A recent commentary by Representatives Rebecca Holcombe of Norwich, Erin Brady of Williston and Monique Priestley of Bradford, while making a few fair points about the rising cost of education, unfortunately ended with inflammatory rhetoric about independent schools and the Vermont style of school choice that has provided amazing opportunities for generations of students in rural Vermont. The thrust of this argument is that students from rural parts of Vermont are driving up taxes because they attend independent schools. These three representatives then assert that our students are served by an “uncontrolled, poorly regulated” voucher system. We are compelled to set the record straight. First, Vermont does not have an education voucher system.

Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies From an Xbox handle to a cutting-edge trust-marketing platform, the word “Widewail” has played a pivotal role in shaping Matt Murray's journey. Hear Matt's inspiring story as he shares how his visionary company is revolutionizing the landscape of customer reviews, creating a new era of impactful feedback.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor has announced an increase to the State’s minimum wage. Beginning January 1, 2024, the State’s minimum wage will become $13.67 per hour. This is an increase of $0.49 from the current minimum wage of $13.18. This annual adjustment also impacts the minimum wage for tipped employees. The Basic Tipped Wage Rate for service, or “tipped employees,” equals 50% of the full minimum wage. On January 1, 2024, the tipped minimum wage will increase from $6.59 to $6.84 per hour. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Emergency Eats (VEE) program distributed over 49,000 meals made by local restaurants to flood-impacted Vermonters in need between August 7 and November 4, 2023. Based on the successful “three-pillar” VEE model, Vermont Emergency Eats meals were made by thirty local restaurants using an average of 25% Vermont ingredients and received by Vermonters whose food security was negatively impacted by the summer flooding. The initial $700,000 invested in the program by the state catalyzed an additional $1,120,000 recirculated by restaurants and farmers into local spending on labor and ingredients, along with a further $88,000 in private dollars invested in Vermont-owned farms and restaurants on flood recovery, business infrastructure, and equipment.