Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark announced today that a coalition of 50 attorneys general has reached a settlement with Marriott International, Inc. after an investigation into a large multi-year data breach of one of Marriott’s Starwood guest reservation databases. Under the settlement, Marriott has agreed to strengthen its data security practices using a dynamic risk-based approach, pay $52 million to states, and provide additional consumer protections. Vermont will receive $590,292.25 from the settlement. The Federal Trade Commission, which has been coordinating closely with the states throughout their investigation, has reached a parallel settlement with Marriott.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Libraries has announced the recipients of $15.9 million dollars in competitive grant monies to 14 public libraries in Vermont with funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These one-time, substantial grants will address critical building improvements that ensure Vermonters in these communities have continued access to high-speed internet for the purposes of work, education, and health monitoring at their local public libraries. The COVID-19 health emergency highlighted the critical importance of high-speed internet access to Vermonters, as so many aspects of everyday life–including going to school, working remotely, and attending medical appointments–moved online. In this context, the crucial role public libraries play by providing internet access became even more apparent. Vermonters without home access to the internet were impacted by the pandemic more than those who had access. 

Vermont Business Magazine Women Can Do, Vermont Works for Women’s signature career exploration conference for high school girls and gender expansive youth, returns to Vermont State University Randolph on Thursday, October 10, 2024. Up to 450 high school students from across the state will participate in dozens of hands-on activities designed to expose them to promising careers considered non-traditional for women. These include jobs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and the skilled trades. Press is invited to arrange to visit Women Can Do at any point during the conference (9:15am – 1:00pm). 

Vermont Business Magazine ZymoChem, the biotech company dedicated to creating sustainable materials for everyday products, is proud to announce its newly ratified designation as a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC). By proactively amending its incorporation documents, ZymoChem formalizes its commitment to balancing profitability with social impact. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Public and the University of Vermont have announced an expanded internship program to provide hands-on learning opportunities to students while enhancing Vermont Public’s local news coverage. The program will train students in all aspects of a media organization—including reporting, research, communications, and marketing. By hosting 20 interns over the first four years, Vermont Public will strengthen its public service by producing more local journalism. It will also deliver on its strategic plan to serve a broader and more diverse audience by amplifying stories from those underrepresented in traditional media. 

Vermont Employee Ownership Center Our annual Vermont Employee Ownership Conference (May 30, 2025) is growing, and we are excited to announce that our annual VEOC internship is growing along with it! While our internship has historically begun just before our conference in early summer, our 2025 internship will start in February, providing our next intern with the hands-on experience of helping to plan and promote our 23rd annual conference throughout the spring semester. Bringing an intern onto the team in the spring will expand our capacity at our busiest time of year, making for a more robust conference planning and promotion process in a year that is likely to yield our largest, most interesting Vermont Employee Ownership Conference to date.

Vermont Business Magazine The USDA is granting $3.45 million to the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), based in Montpelier. One of four Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBI), the NE-DBIC serves dairy farmers and processors across 11 states, including: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  These funds directly support dairy farmers and processors with modernization, innovation, and increasing efficiency and sustainability across the dairy sector. From decreasing the use of virgin plastic in dairy packaging to boosting milk quality and bringing local milk to local schools, these grants have immediate and long-term positive impacts for individual businesses and the entire supply chain.   

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark announced a lawsuit today against TikTok Inc. for multiple violations of Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act. This multistate lawsuit follows a similar complaint filed last year against Meta Platforms, Inc. alleging manipulative design features and deceptive business practices. Today’s filing was coordinated with 14 attorneys general across the nation. Seven other states have already sued TikTok under similar theories. Attorney General Clark’s complaint alleges that TikTok crafted features of its platform to mimic slot machines, a strategic decision that has allowed it to effectively trap young users into cycles of excessive use. The filing details how TikTok has siphoned value out of our kids—including their time, attention, and money. 

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), member of the Senate Commerce Committee, introduced the Artificial Intelligence Weapons Accountability and Risk Evaluation (AWARE) Act, legislation to bolster the U.S. Department of Defense's ethical technology leadership and transparency regarding AI-enabled defense systems. The legislation requires the Pentagon to report to Congress on risk assessments of the use of AI in our defense systems, including the accuracy, cybersecurity and privacy risks, and potential for civilian harm. These risk assessments must also include what AI systems have been exported to, or used by, foreign entities. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas released the first October Vermont 2024 Candidates and Campaign Finance. This report continues the Secretary of State’s ongoing efforts to improve transparency for campaign finance reporting during the 2024 campaign season. The October report reflects candidate filings as of the most recent filing deadline on October 1. Per state law, candidates are only required to file a campaign finance report if they “rolled over any amount of surplus into his or her new campaign or… made expenditures or accepted contributions of $500 or more during the two-year general election cycle” (17 V.S.A. § 2964). As such, Secretary Copeland Hanzas noted that appearing on the third list (candidates that did not file a report) does not mean a candidate was required to file a Campaign Finance disclosure.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermonters affected by both July severe weather events have until November 25, 2024, to apply for FEMA individual assistance. For the July 9-11 disaster, the deadline was extended from October 21 to November 25 for individuals and households in Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Lamoille, Orleans, and Washington counties. For the July 29-31 disaster, the deadline remains November 25 for individuals and households in Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties who were impacted. If you were affected by these severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides, you should apply as soon as possible. Vermonters affected by both July storms should submit separate applications for each event.

Vermont Business Magazine The Dowd Insurance Agencies, LLC, a leading insurance provider serving New England since 1898, has announced its acquisition of third-generation insurance agency Lonergan & Thomas Inc. in Bennington, Vermont, effective August 1. Lonergan & Thomas will retain all the agency’s employees and, for at least the next two years, its name. The acquisition will allow Lonergan & Thomas to grow its services beyond the personal and business lines it currently offers and to work with a larger variety of insurance carriers.