Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $4.43 per gallon, down 8 cents per gallon from last week, up 1 cent/g from last month and up $1.36/g from this time last year, according to AAA. The lowest price in the state this week was $4.06/g while the highest was $4.69/g. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 18 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.24/g today. Gas prices remain higher than since the summer of 2022. 

Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont is kicking off the summer season with free admission to Vermont State Parks and Vermont State Historic Sites on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14. This annual Vermont Days celebration encourages Vermonters and visitors to get outside, learn, recreate, fish, and more. During Vermont Days, Vermont’s 55 state parks and six historic sites and museums will offer free admission to day-use areas. On June 13, residents and non-residents can also fish without a license for Free Fishing Day. Additional details and a full schedule of events are available below.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) Wednesday evening released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted 215–208 to pass a War Powers Resolution directing the president to end U.S. military involvement in Iran without explicit authorization from Congress. Four Republicans joined Democrats in the vote, marking a rare bipartisan rebuke of the administration. The measure will still need to go through the Senate and be signed by President Trump.

Vermont Business Magazine Smokey House Center, a 5,000-acre forest and farming research nonprofit in Danby, Vermont was awarded a Farm to School Provider Grant through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets, which has funded the installation of a new Berry Alley Cropping system on its main campus this spring and early summer. The project has brought more than 300 students from over 14 schools to the land to help plant a diversified perennial food system—and marks the third addition to Smokey House Center’s growing community U-pick operations. Agroforestry is the intentional integration of trees, shrubs, and crops or livestock into a single agricultural system.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund’s DeltaClimeVT energy business accelerator announces four pilot projects totaling $110,000 to accelerate Vermont’s clean energy transition. The selected pilots represent collaborations between Vermont utilities and U.S.-based alumni companies of DeltaClimeVT. Four projects were chosen for their potential to improve grid [KE1.1] reliability and resilience as well as expand equitable access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. These pilots will include rigorous data capture and reporting requirements, enabling utilities to evaluate real-world performance and scalability.

Vermont Business Magazine Beacon Bank has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s best regional banks for 2026, receiving the highest possible rating of five stars. Beacon Bank was selected from more than 8,800 banks and credit unions across the country that are committed to powering local economies by supporting businesses, financing community projects and providing reliable access to everyday banking services. Beacon Bank has five branches in Vermont. They are located in Manchester (2), Rutland, Arlington and Ludlow.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont now has nearly 21,000 electric vehicles on the road, a 12% increase over the last year, according to new data from Drive Electric Vermont. As high gas prices steer drivers toward more affordable alternatives, the growing number of used EVs on the market—plus utility incentives and discounted charging rates—make driving electric an increasingly cost-effective option for Vermont drivers. For most Vermonters, driving an EV is like paying $1.75/gallon—closer to $1/gallon when using discounted home charging rates or bill credits offered by many Vermont utilities. Driving a gas-powered car can cost 150% more per mile as average Vermont gas prices remain around $4.50/gallon.

Vermont Business Magazine As folks head to their lakefront properties for the summer, the Vermont Lakes and Ponds Program is offering guidance to help property owners protect and restore their lakeside properties. The Shoreland Best Management Practices guidance highlights different ways owners can improve their properties to benefit lake health and shoreline habitat. The Shoreland Protection Act regulates new activities in protected shoreland areas that are within 250 feet of the shoreline of lakes and ponds that have a surface area of 10 or more acres. Property owners need a Shoreland Protection Permit for activities in protected shoreland areas.

Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont today announced a proposal to locate the Green Mountain Youth Center in South Burlington. It will serve as a residential treatment center for youth ages 12 to 18 that will provide 24-hour support in a highly structured, clinically intensive setting. The state has been working for years on an option for justice-involved youth with complex mental health and behavioral needs. Without such a facility, youth in need of this level of care may be placed in other, less appropriate settings or sent out of state. If all phases proceed as expected, the Green Mountain Youth Center could be operational by mid to late summer of 2028. 

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center is launching A Place to Belong, a fundraising campaign dedicated to raising the resources necessary to transform a therapeutic student space within the Tutorial and Behavior Services (TABS) Inclusion Program at Baird School in Burlington. The funds will help redesign the TABS multipurpose room, a space that currently serves as a cafeteria, library, calming area, gathering space and student gardening hub. The renovation will transform this functional space into a warm, welcoming and supportive environment where students can reset and thrive. Located at Howard Center’s 1138 Pine St. site, the TABS Program serves students whose traditional school environments have become overwhelming socially, emotionally, behaviorally or academically.

Vermont State Police On Tuesday at approximately 9:40 pm, the Tunbridge Fire Department was notified of a fire alarm activation at the Tunbridge Central School. Tunbridge Fire, Chelsea Fire, and First Branch Ambulance responded to the school.  Fire personnel located a small fire within an art classroom at the school and were able to quickly suppress the fire. One minor injury was treated on scene by First Branch Ambulance.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame is proud to announce its 2026 class of inductees, recognizing individuals whose dedication, leadership, and innovation have made a lasting impact on Vermont agriculture. For more than two decades, the Hall of Fame has celebrated the achievements of farmers, growers, agricultural professionals, service providers, and industry advocates who have helped strengthen Vermont’s agricultural community. Since its founding, the Hall of Fame has honored more than 120 individuals whose contributions continue to shape the state's agricultural legacy.