Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation (GBIC) recognized four individuals for their outstanding contributions to Vermont at its annual meeting this week. Kyle and Katie Clark, BETA Technologies: The Clarks received the C. Harry Behney Lifetime Economic Development Achievement Award. Recognized for their commitment to building a world-class electric aviation company in Vermont, the Clarks have created 420 jobs this year alone. Alex Crothers, Higher Ground: The 2026 Robert A. Skiff Community Improvement Award went to Alex Crothers, founder of Higher Ground. An institution in Chittenden County for 28 years. Abdille Ibrahim, Boys & Girls Club of Burlington: The Ernest A. Pomerleau Outstanding Young Vermonter Scholarship was awarded to Abdille “Abdi” Ibrahim, who was recognized for his leadership at the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing $1.5 million in grant funding to improve drinking water infrastructure in New England. These grants will help Make America Healthy Again by providing communities with needed resources to make critical drinking water infrastructure upgrades, combat Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), remove sources of lead, and address specific local drinking water challenges. Vermont will get $199,000.

Vermont Business Magazine The Associated General Contractors of Vermont (AGC/VT) has announced support from the Northfield Savings Bank Foundation for the launch and expansion of the AGC Vermont Leadership Academy, a new workforce development initiative designed to prepare the next generation of construction leaders, in partnership with Vermont Works for Women. The Leadership Academy will provide a comprehensive training experience combining technical construction knowledge and essential leadership skills, with sessions focused on project leadership, team development, financial fundamentals, and mentorship. Vermont Works for Women will serve as a key partner in helping connect the Academy’s leadership development goals with broader efforts to advance gender equity, expand access to career pathways, and strengthen Vermont’s skilled trades workforce.

Vermont Business Magazine Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) has been detected in mosquitos collected in Charlotte. This is the first detection of a mosquito-borne virus in Vermont this year. No cases of mosquito-borne illnesses have been reported in people or animals yet this season. Health officials are encouraging Vermonters to protect themselves from mosquito bites and the potentially dangerous diseases they can spread, including Jamestown Canyon virus, West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus.

Vermont Business Magazine Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center (LCCSC), in partnership with the UVM Sailing Team, has been accepted as the host of the 2028 Intercollegiate Fleet Racing National Championships. Members of the Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA), the governing body for all North American college sailing, compete for two annual Fleet Racing Championships. The 2028 Women’s Fleet Race Championship will be held from May 15 - 18, followed by the 2028 Open Fleet Race Championship on May 22 - 28. Each event will draw the top teams in the country to Burlington, Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Samara Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation is pleased to announce $117,100 in grants to 35 organizations across Vermont, investing in projects and people working to strengthen, celebrate, and support 2SLGBTQIA+ communities throughout the state. Grants support a wide range of 2SLGBTQIA+ centered events, programs, and organizations, including community-building initiatives, arts and cultural programs, leadership development opportunities, harm reduction services, and general operating support. In addition to its annual grantmaking, the Samara Fund awarded $16,500 in scholarships, with an additional $6,000 in scholarships awarded through the Douglas C. Howe and Frank E. Shivers Memorial Fund. In total, 18 2SLGBTQIA+ students and allies from 14 Vermont high schools received support to pursue their educational goals.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced Thursday that  Caleb Cox, 35, of Bennington, Vermont, pleaded guilty today to three counts of felony Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials, second or subsequent offense. Cox also pleaded guilty to violating the conditions of his probation imposed in a prior case involving similar charges. The charges brought against Cox are the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC).

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office Thursday announced that Victoria Hall (a.k.a. Victoria Shumard; a.k.a. Victoria Velesbir), 39, of Long Branch, New Jersey, was arraigned on charges of felony Identity Theft and Medicaid Fraud. The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) and Office of Investigations at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.

Public Assets Institute The big news this year on education reform was public resistance to the governor’s insistence on forced mergers. While Act 170 does not make district mergers mandatory, it does require all school districts to participate in designated study committees to explore the formation of unified, union school districts with at least 2000 students. The bill also shifts to a different model for shared services among districts, setting up seven Cooperative Educational Service Areas (CESAs) across the state. Like Act 73 last year, the legislation leaves important decisions to be determined later, including second home taxes, what would and would not be included in a potential foundation formula, and how to pay for school construction.

Vermont Business Magazine Pre-applications for the Dairy Processor Modernization Grant are now open. Offered by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), this grant helps fund equipment for dairy processing and packaging. A total of $1 million is available to increase business viability and ability to meet consumer demands.  Funding will support dairy processors and dairy brands in purchasing specialized equipment to expand processing capacity for local milk, boost efficiency, lower energy consumption, improve existing products, and create new, high-value dairy products for the region. Projects may focus on improving product quality, increasing production, enhancing efficiency, upgrading existing products or launching new ones. Having technical assistance from a service provider or business planner will make applications more competitive.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State University (VTSU) celebrated the graduation of 163 Practical Nursing students with commencement ceremonies held at its Randolph campus on June 19. Collectively, these graduates represented a dozen learning sites across the state, thanks to Vermont State’s distributed, community-based approach to nursing education. Designed as a one-year pathway into the nursing profession, the Practical Nursing (PN) Certificate program combines classroom instruction, simulation-based learning, and direct clinical experience to prepare students to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). Earlier this year, Vermont State shared its outstanding NCLEX licensure exam pass rates, for which the PN program prepares its graduates.  

Vermont Business Magazine Union Mutual Insurance Company today announced that President & Chief Executive Officer Lisa Keysar will retire on December 31, 2026, marking the culmination of a distinguished career that has helped shape the company for more than 30 years. Since joining Union Mutual in 1995, Keysar has been a driving force behind the Company’s growth and success. Appointed President & CEO in 2020, she became the first woman to lead Union Mutual. During her tenure, the Company strengthened its financial position, enhanced operational capabilities, and achieved an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best—reflecting its strong balance sheet and disciplined management approach. Jennifer Galfetti will become President of Union Mutual following Keysar’s retirement and will report to Joel Murray, CEO.