Current News

Vermont Business Magazine At the annual meeting held on April 17, 2024, the Vermont Mutual Board of Directors named Mark J. McDonnell President of Vermont Mutual Insurance Group. McDonnell, the 18th president of the 196-year-old group of companies, succeeds former President and current Chief Executive Officer, Daniel C. Bridge, who is set to retire at the end of the current year. McDonnell joined Vermont Mutual as a Senior Vice President in April 2014 and was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in July 2015. Prior to joining Vermont Mutual, he held senior leadership positions at several regional and national insurance companies. As President of Vermont Mutual, McDonnell takes the role that Dan Bridge has held for the past 9 years at the Company.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing have announced the winners for the 2024/25 Vermont Signature Events program. These signature events offer experiences that fuel the Vermont visitor economy. Each year, 13 million visitors contribute $3 billion in spending and support over 35,000 jobs totaling 11.5% of Vermont’s workforce. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Board of Commissioners announced on Monday April 15, 2024, that its annual award of federal housing tax credits will support the construction of 156 homes in perpetually affordable apartment buildings in five communities across the state. The sale of this year’s tax credits to investors is expected to yield over $40 million in funds, covering an estimated 60 percent of total project development costs.  These housing construction projects will take place in a uniquely challenging environment. Elevated development costs, interest rates and housing needs among Vermonters heavily influenced project planning. The cost of developing a unit of rental housing in Vermont has increased by approximately 50% since 2020. 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.53 per gallon, up 14 cents per gallon from last week, up 23 cents/g from last month and are the same as last year at this time. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.18/g in Colchester, while the highest was $3.79/g in Westminster. The national average price of gasoline has risen 3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.67/g today. The national average is up 19 cents per gallon from a month ago.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that New England Kurn Hattin Homes, the owner and operator of a public water system in Westminster, was fined $6,750 for violations of the Vermont Water Supply Rule (VWSR) and has been directed to bring the water system into compliance. Many Vermonters use public community water systems for safe, reliable drinking water. These systems range in size from small condominium associations to large cities. Owners of public community water systems are responsible for managing and maintaining the systems in accordance with the VWSR. 

Vermont Business Magazine Rick Bibens has agreed to sell Bibens Ace Hardware, with seven locations in Vermont in Springfield, Colchester, South Burlington, Burlington, Essex, Brattleboro, and Woodstock, to the Aubuchon Company, the oldest and largest group of family-owned hardware stores in America. The stores will continue to operate as “Bibens Ace Hardware,” “Brown & Roberts” in Brattleboro, and “Woodstock Home & Hardware” in Woodstock. After closing in April, the Aubuchon Company will operate 119 stores in 9 states. Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed. 

Vermont Business Magazine Alice Marie Ann Boutin, 98, died on Friday, April 12, 2024, under the loving care of her two daughters, Suzanne Boutin and Elizabeth McGrath DNP, and her husband, John McGrath, in Rochester, NH, where she lived the remaining three years of life. Alice's family was with her the week before she died. Alice was born in 1925, the daughter of William and Celanaire (Blais) Boucher of Laconia, NH where she grew up in a strong and loving family. There she learned about unconditional love, the foundation of her being throughout her life. The ninth of ten children, she was educated at École du Sacré-Cœur and Laconia High School. She met Bernard (Bernie) while he was a student at Saint Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont. They married soon after his graduation in April of 1945. What followed was a 67-year love affair producing eleven children. Her family was her greatest joy. When did she find the time for all her volunteer work as a Cub Scout leader, costume maker for stunt night at Rice Memorial HS, and all those hours dedicated to the craft committees at Sacred Heart (Laconia), St Charles (Meredith), and St Joseph's (Belmont, where she made rosaries).

VermontBiz The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) is seeking grant applications for infrastructure projects that improve access and safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. In 2023, the Agency awarded more than $4.4 million for bicycle and pedestrian construction and planning projects throughout the state.

VermontBiz On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, Vermont Department of Labor’s Project WorkSAFE officials presented a safety and health achievement recognition award to Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) President and CEO Tom Dunn at VELCO’s annual safety meeting. 

The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) recognizes small businesses that operate exemplary safety and health programs. VELCO qualified for SHARP status by demonstrating a safety record significantly better than the industry average and working with Project WorkSAFE to maintain a robust safety and health program.

VermontBiz  Starting this summer, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC), with EPA oversight, will break ground on a remedial action for the cleanup of groundwater at the Commerce Street Plume Superfund Site in Williston, Vermont. The goal of this work is to cleanup groundwater to meet VTDEC drinking water requirements and prevent the spread of trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination. More information on this work can be found in VTDEC factsheet: Commerce Street Plume Superfund Site Groundwater Remedial Action Update.

VermontBiz  When two sustainable liquor brands  join forces to celebrate Earth Month, the results are not only delicious, they’re great for pollinators. Vermont-based Barr Hill and the Dominican passionfruit liqueur, Chinola have teamed up to generate buzz about a gin-based passionfruit elixir known as The Saturn. “Sipping with Purpose” means raising awareness about sustainable farming practices, innovative distilling methods and naturally — protecting bees. 

VermontBiz In a pivotal move to address the pressing needs of Vermont's agricultural community, 32 farmers across the state are set to receive vital micro-grants  this week through the all-volunteer Dig Deep VT initiative, focusing on providing much needed resources for farmers hardest hit by devastating weather the past eight months, including new no-interest loans from the Center for an Agriculture Economy.