Current News

VermontBiz Mascoma Community Development announced today the successful closing of a New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) financing transaction in support of GreenSource Fabrication LLC, a subsidiary of Whelen Engineering Company, Inc. The transaction will support its new manufacturing facility located in Charlestown, New Hampshire (Sullivan County). The facility will house 98,000 square feet of manufacturing space, including ISO 6 and ISO 7 clean room spaces for the production of UHDI (Ultra High Density Interconnect) printed circuit boards (PCBs). “MCD is pleased to provide NMTC funding to support the GreenSource project and be part of Whelen’s expansion in New Hampshire while creating new jobs in our region and a rural community. This project also represents an opportunity to increase manufacturing in the United States by a company that prioritizes environmentally friendly practices,” says Michelle LeClair, Chief Investment Officer of MCD.

VermontBiz Age Well is excited to announce its participation in the 23rd annual March for Meals, a nationwide campaign led by Meals on Wheels of America. This inspiring movement brings together communities across the country to support our aging neighbors and help them maintain their health and independence at home. As Vermont’s largest provider of Meals on Wheels, Age Well delivers over 300,000 meals each year, addressing food insecurity, malnutrition, and social isolation, while fostering the overall well-being of thousands in our community. 

VermontBiz In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Charity Clark announced the top 10 consumer complaints received by her office’s Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) in 2024. In keeping with past years, the top complaints involved vehicles, home improvement matters, and retail, which collectively represent 48 percent of all complaints filed in 2024. Attorney General Clark also today released CAP’s 2024 Annual Report in which the program details its record-high recoveries and savings for Vermont consumers, totaling more than $2 million.

“Vermonters should know that they have rights as consumers, and the Consumer Assistance Program is free and here to help navigate consumer problems that arise,” said Attorney General Clark. “Every day, the Consumer Assistance Program helps consumers and businesses resolve disputes, and last year returned $2 million in savings to Vermonters. Thank you for being our eyes and ears in reporting consumer problems to my office!”

VermontBiz Average gasoline prices in Burlington are unchanged in the last week, averaging $3.20/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 100 stations in Burlington. Prices in Burlington are 1.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 4.4 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 1.9 cents in the last week and stands at $3.629 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Burlington was priced at $3.09/g yesterday while the most expensive was $3.27/g, a difference of 18.0 cents per gallon. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.84/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 45.0 cents per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.04/g today. The national average is down 4.7 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 29.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) on Saturday released the following statement in reaction to President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s tumultuous meeting in the Oval Office with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday:    

Vermont Business Magazine Burke Mountain will be joining the Indy Pass roster for the 25-26 season. What does this mean? Indy pass holders get 2 all-day passes at each of 250 independent partner resorts (blackout dates apply), and special deals only available to Indy Passholders. There is also an option of the Indy+ pass which has no blackouts. 

by Maggie Lenz and Nick Charyk on behalf of Atlas Government Affairs At a time when national politics is often defined by horrifying displays of division, Vermont’s State House is proving that collaboration and pragmatism can still get things done. Rep. Gina Galfetti, a Republican from Barre Town, and Rep. Teddy Waszazak, a Democrat from Barre City, have teamed up as co-chairs of the Flood Caucus to introduce H.397, the Omnibus Flood Bill. This bill is the result of input from legislators across the state who have been working together to develop a broad and coordinated approach to flood resilience and recovery following the disasters of 2023 and 2024.

Vermont Business Magazine To celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Vermont business leaders will come together at the Lawson’s Finest Liquids taproom on March 9 to share their stories and support for lifting up women in business. A panel discussion, moderated by Lawson’s Finest CEO Adeline Druart and featuring prominent women business leaders from across Vermont, will discuss the current business landscape and its impact on women in business. Panelists include: Karen Colbert, CEO of King Arthur Baking Company, Sas Stewart, founder of Adventure Dinner, Libby Parent, president of Vermont’s Original Bag Balm, and Sascha Mayer, cofounder and chief experience officer of Mamava. 

by Camila Van Order González, Community News Service It was about 20 minutes in when a lone trumpet sounded through Middlebury College’s Wilson Hall Feb. 20. “Hey, man, you’re not helping,” Gary Winslett, the political science professor who coordinated the evening’s controversial event, told the trumpeter from the stage. “You’re not helping your cause, bro.” “It’s embarrassing for me, as a trans person, that you’re doing this,” said one of the speakers, Brianna Wu, executive director at the progressive RebellionPAC and former congressional candidate. “Can you please stop and let the adults have a discussion?”

by Hannah King, Executive Director of the Vermont Bar Foundation Justice should not be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. In Vermont, the gap between legal needs and available resources continues to grow, leaving too many individuals and families without meaningful access to the justice system. This is not just a legal issue—it is a fundamental challenge to the fairness and integrity of our community. The Vermont Bar Foundation (VBF) is committed to bridging this gap. As the primary funding source for civil legal aid in the state, the Foundation supports organizations that provide critical legal services to low-income Vermonters. From housing and employment disputes to domestic violence protection and family law matters, these services are often the last line of defense for our most vulnerable neighbors. Yet, funding for legal aid remains insufficient to meet the growing need. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV) on Friday released the Vermont Congressional delegation’s scores for the League of Conservation Voters’ 2024 National Environmental Scorecard, which highlights our state’s leaders’ work to protect our environment and democracy. Since 1970, LCV’s Scorecard has been the primary tool for evaluating the environmental records of members of Congress. The 2024 Scorecard shows how Vermont’s delegation fought back against attacks on our democracy and environmental protections. In stark contrast to Vermont’s members of Congress, for the second year in a row, extreme Republicans in the House of Representatives embraced chaos. They pushed messaging bills and radical amendments on government funding that were so harmful their own leadership pulled them on more than one occasion — resulting in the least productive Congress in recent history. 

by Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts Investing in our food and forest economy is great for Vermont. One of Vermont’s signature programs is the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative. Once again Governor Phil Scott has proposed allocating $1 million dollars to this economic development program. If we look at the history the results are impressive in all of Vermont’s 14 counties. Since 2012, the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative has supported Vermont agriculture and forestry businesses with critical investments that have grown their businesses.  With $18.8 million invested in 555 farm, food, and forestry projects, and an additional $30.9 million leveraged in matching funds, the Working Lands program has played an important role in the growth of Vermont’s economy. It’s supporting new and legacy businesses, helping them buy critical equipment or providing them with services. We track the results in a detailed impact report.