Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Leading organizations across Quebec and the Northeastern states of the United States have joined forces to address trade challenges and strengthen resilience. Recognizing the semiconductor industry as a cornerstone of national security and economic sovereignty, this unprecedented collaboration aims to ensure that North America remains resilient, competitive, and autonomous in this critical sector. The coalition includes: The University of Vermont and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Construction Company has signed an agreement of cooperation announcing its commitment to become the first Vermont builder to join a worker-driven program monitoring and enforcing labor and housing standards. The commitment will bring the Building Dignity and Respect Program to Vermont’s fast-growing construction industry and provide much-needed protections to a sector lacking in regulation.

Vermont Business Magazine Several organizations weighed in on Governor Phil Scott's Budget Address on Tuesday.

Vermont Business Magazine Riko's Pizza, a highly differentiated pizza franchise concept, announced today the grand opening of its newest location on in Burlington, Vermont. This new restaurant is the Company's first in Vermont, eighth franchised location, and 12th overall, with other locations in Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, and New York. Famous for its super-thin crust tavern-style pies, local neighborhood atmosphere, and extensive selection of craft drinks, Riko's newest location is situated right in downtown Burlington at 83 Church Street, within walking distance to Lake Champlain and the University of Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine After years of dreaming, planning, designing, and fundraising, the Alburgh Family Clubhouse (AFC) has officially broken ground on construction of a brand new, state-of-the-art child care and early learning center on Missile Base Road in Alburgh. The Clubhouse is on track to open in Fall 2025. The Clubhouse will address an urgent need for expanded child care and early learning opportunities for young children and their families in the small rural communities of Grand Isle and Franklin Counties. AFC will offer full-day, full-year infant, toddler, preschool, and afterschool programs.  

Vermont Business Magazine While the Vermont index fell to 48.0 in the final quarter of 2024, the national index rose to 51.0. The national results were bolstered by solid corporate revenue trends and sustained strength in the service sector, which more than offset idiosyncratic headwinds from labor strikes and weather effects in certain geographies. The national reading above 50 indicates that business conditions improved modestly during the period and that the U.S. economy is entering 2025 with momentum. The national Citizens Business Conditions Index (CBCI) rose to 51.0 in the final quarter of 2024, bolstered by solid corporate revenue trends and sustained strength in the service sector. The reading indicates that business conditions improved modestly in the fourth quarter, as the Federal Reserve continued to lower interest rates and election-related uncertainty abated.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) recently joined Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) to introduce the Making Agricultural Products Locally Essential (MAPLE) Act and the Supporting All Producers (SAP) Act, two bipartisan, bicameral bills to support Vermont’s maple industry. The MAPLE Act would provide a new market for maple syrup producers while increasing seniors’ access to nutritious, locally sourced maple syrup products by adding maple syrup to the eligible products under the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). SFMNP gives low-income seniors access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs. The bill is cosponsored in the Senate by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Angus King (I-Maine), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and led in the House by Reps. Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23) and Joe Courtney (D-CT-02).  

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak on Tuesday was joined by Department Heads and City staff to outline the final bond requests going on the Town Meeting Day ballot following unanimous approval by the City Council at their January 27 meeting. If approved by voters, these bonds will support needed investments in critical City infrastructure. The Mayor also highlighted key information about how and where to vote on – or before - Town Meeting Day, March 4. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Kathryn Flynn, 71, of Essex, Vermont, and Yoanna Vaughan, 37, of Colchester, Vermont, have pleaded guilty to charges stemming from their mistreatment of a vulnerable adult. Ms. Vaughn pled guilty before Judge Michael Harris and was sentenced on July 30, 2024, and Ms. Flynn pled guilty and was sentenced yesterday before Judge John L. Pacht.

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office in Burlington stated Tuesday that Saul Mazariegos-Estrada, 29, of El Tejar, Guatemala, has been charged by criminal complaint with the illegal transportation of aliens, and that Byron Sicajau Socoy, 40, of El Tejar, Guatemala, and Christian Rafael Hernandez Villa, 34, of Jalisco, Mexico, have been charged by criminal complaint with being aliens who eluded examination or inspection by immigration officers. The term “alien” is defined by statute to mean a person who is not a citizen or national of the United States. 

The J.Warren & Lois McClure Foundation Earlier this week (Sunday, January 26, 2025), Vermont said goodbye to philanthropist Lois McClure, who in her long life always believed people should have the opportunity to pursue their goals. With her late husband, she translated that belief into action through the J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation at the Vermont Community Foundation, helping thousands of Vermonters better understand the career pathways that fit their life goals and earn college and career credentials that unlock those pathways. “Lois McClure leaves us with full hearts this week. For more than half a century, she gave her fellow Vermonters a profound example: leading with a deep commitment to improving the lives of those furthest from opportunity,” said Carolyn Weir, executive director of the McClure Foundation. “Lois often recalled that philanthropy in its many forms was a family tradition. Just as community service was modeled by her Grandma Howe, Lois nurtured both an ethos and practice of generosity among her loved ones. Her love for Vermont lives on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—and through all the projects and programs she supported.”  

Vermont Business Magazine A new report from the American Lung Association urges Vermont lawmakers to focus on ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes to reduce the overwhelming human and financial burden of tobacco use. The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use and recommends proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies to save lives. The “State of Tobacco Control” report grades states and the District of Columbia in five areas that have been proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use and save lives. Vermont got two "A" scores, a "B" and two "F" scores.