Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $300 per gallon, up 1 cent/g from last week, up 2 cents/g from last month and down 14 cents/g from this time a year ago. The national average price of gasoline has risen 2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.92/g today. The national average is up 10 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 24 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. And as gas prices rise, fill up on Sunday and not on Thursday in Vermont, which is the case in most states.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel (VT-NDCAP) will hold its first regular meeting of 2026 on Monday evening February 23, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.  The primary purpose of this meeting will be the Panel’s review and approval of its 2025 Annual Report to the Vermont Legislature and Governor.  

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 13 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s unlawful decision to terminate funding for congressionally mandated energy and infrastructure programs. The lawsuit challenges the decisions by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to terminate billions of dollars in energy and infrastructure awards nationwide, including in Vermont, which stands to lose out on more than $3 million awarded to the University of Vermont (UVM). The complaint alleges that the unlawful decision to eliminate energy programs created by Congress violates the separation of powers and the Administrative Procedure Act. The coalition asks the court to permanently stop the Administration from interfering with these programs. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development is launching a new Small-Scale Developer Training Program to help Vermonters build the skills they need to create housing in their own communities. These efforts are part of the state’s broader Homes for All initiative, which connects training, technical assistance and ready-to-use housing tools into one coordinated pathway.

Vermont League of Cities & Towns Given the constrained state budget this year, we thought lawmakers might be open to discussing municipal revenue streams, and, oh boy, are they ever. The good news is that some committees are open to exploring new non-property tax revenue ideas. The bad news is that the appropriations committees are discussing new ways to spend local monies. In this Weekly Legislative Report, we discuss proposed appropriations from the Opioid Abatement Fund and PILOT Special Fund, announce a new proposed municipal revenue authority for town road spending, and provide an update on the ongoing debate about the timing for implementing Act 181.

by Frank Cioffi Last week, Vermont Public highlighted the success of Governor Scott’s “accountability court” in Chittenden County and its potential for replication in other parts of the state. We should all be celebrating that the court has not only moved through over 75 percent of backlogged cases, but has also connected people with social services related to housing, mental health, and addiction. But the impact of the Governor’s short-term action plan for Burlington, launched just over 100 days ago, reaches much further. For the first time in years, there is restored confidence among the business community in downtown Burlington and a cautious feeling of hope that the city has turned a corner.

FreshTracks Capital Peak Pitch 2026, to be held at Sugarbush Resort on Tuesday March 10, is now open for registration. Presented by FreshTracks, Peak Pitch, which is Vermont’s longest-running start-up business pitch event, brings aspiring entrepreneurs and investors together for a unique version of the classic "elevator pitch." At this unique event, a shared chairlift ride gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business plans to venture capitalists, individual investors, commercial lenders and other entrepreneurial advisors during a day of skiing and snowboarding at Sugarbush. FreshTracks has invested in more than 50 local companies, helping to grow these businesses, creating new jobs, and supporting economic growth in the region. FreshTracks has found several of its investments at Peak Pitch over the years and looks forward to meeting more at this fun and popular pitch and networking event.

Vermont State Police An autopsy was completed Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington. The Vermont State Police is able to identify the person who died as Jeremy Kawalec, 25, of Corinth. The medical examiner determined the cause of Kawalec’s death was “gunshot wound to head,” and the manner of death is listed as pending. Further investigation by detectives into this incident has determined that the death is not suspicious. VSP has no additional information to share regarding this case.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Therran Leggett, 27, of Bridport, Vermont, was arraigned on one felony count of aggravated sexual assault with a child. The charge brought against Leggett is the result of a criminal investigation conducted by the Vermont State Police. Leggett pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Vermont Superior Court, Addison Criminal Division. The Court, Judge Alison Arms presiding, ordered a $10,000 unsecured appearance bond and conditions of release which restrict Leggett’s access to the victim, witnesses, and minors, and prohibit him from abusing or harassing the victim.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Paul Collette, 57, of Windsor, Vermont, was sentenced in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to three felony charges of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials. The Court, Judge Elizabeth D. Mann presiding, sentenced the defendant to three to five years in prison all suspended followed by 10 years of probation. Conditions of Mr. Collette’s probation include that he must complete individual sex offender treatment, must not have contact with children under the age of 16, and shall have restricted access to electronic devices.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Treasurer Pieciak announced that his office is investing $8 million from the 10% in VT program to support the development of the Rutland downtown hotel. The new funding is a major step toward financing the project—transforming the Center Street block, strengthening local tourism, and sparking a new chapter of the Marble City’s revitalization. The hotel will replace the long-vacant brownfield “pit” on the corner of Wales Street and Center Street with a seven-story, mixed-use building accommodating 100 guest rooms, 30 permanent jobs, and 26 new apartments—boosting downtown foot traffic and welcoming new customers for local businesses. The added lodging space will also soften demand for short-term rentals, expanding local housing options for workers and families. Rutland’s downtown has been without a hotel since the Berwick Hotel, which previously occupied the space, burned down in 1973. The project is expected to add millions in new revenue to the local tax base over time.

Vermont Business Magazine PC Construction recently announced the promotion of Mike Yesalonia to Vice President of Operations and Advisor to the CEO. This new role aligns with the company’s long-term strategic objectives and optimizes executive resources to effectively leverage growth opportunities. Leadership training, individual growth and development, and succession planning are some of the highest priorities of PC Construction and are a hallmark of one of the employee-owned company’s core values: People First.