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Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has released its 2025–2026 Legislative Biennium Report, documenting key policy outcomes, emerging economic priorities, and the growing role of data-informed decision-making in shaping Vermont's future. The report reflects a legislative biennium defined by both progress and persistent challenges. While meaningful advances were made in areas such as housing, workforce development, healthcare reform, and economic development, affordability and competitiveness remain defining issues for Vermont's future.

Vermont Business Magazine For the fifth year running, Community National Bank was named to the Forbes list of America’s Best-In-State Banks 2026 as the top-ranked bank in Vermont. This prestigious recognition is presented in partnership with Statista, a leading global provider of market data and industry rankings. The award list was announced on June 17th, 2026. The America’s Best-In-State Banks 2026 ranking is based on an independent survey of thousands of U.S. consumers, as well as publicly available reviews. To be eligible, banks must have received a minimum number of evaluations, with awarded institutions averaging more than 635 evaluations. The ranking focuses on institutions that operate in 14 states or fewer and are not online-only banks, underscoring the importance of strong regional and community-based banking relationships.

Vermont Business Magazine By vetoing a measure that would save millions of dollars in healthcare costs – and relieve pressure on the education property tax – Governor Phil Scott Wednesday showed his "affordability agenda is nothing but hot air," according to the state’s largest union. The measure he vetoed would have given hospital regulators a chance to lock-in savings for healthcare covering school employees, small businesses, and those Vermonters who buy their insurance on Vermont Health Connect a year earlier than anticipated. Estimates of how much money the measure would have saved beginning next year ranged in the tens of millions of dollars.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch joined Democratic colleagues in demanding answers about the Trump Administration’s awarding of millions in federal contracts to Event Strategies, Inc. (ESI), the event management firm that organized the rally used to incite the January 6, 2021, insurrection on the U.S. Capitol. Since January 2025, ESI has received more than $22 million in taxpayer-funded contracts, including for events associated with the country’s 250th anniversary.   

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $4.22 per gallon, down 12 cents per gallon from last week, down 34 cents/g from last month and up $1.13/g from this time last year, according to AAA. The highest price in the state this week was $4.69/g. The lowest price gas in Vermont has shifted from the southern counties to the north. Prices are lowest in Addison ($4.16/g), Essex ($4.02/g) and Orleans ($4.02/g) counties and highest in Washington ($4.29/g), Windsor ($4.26/g) and Grand Isle ($4.26/g), according to AAA. Oil prices have fallen as the Iran war appears over and the Strait of Hormuz opens back up. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 13 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.99/g today.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) has announced Magnefy as the peer-selected winner of its DeltaClimeVT Energy 2026 Business Accelerator, marking the conclusion of the program’s tenth cohort and a decade of advancing energy innovation in Vermont. Magnefy received a $25,000 award and secured a pilot project with Burlington Electric Department (BED) to test its AI-driven transformer monitoring technology, which is designed to help utilities detect equipment failures in advance and improve grid reliability. Eight entrepreneurs representing four early-stage energy companies from across the United States graduated from the program during a June 11 event at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington. Each team presented its business model and technology solutions to an audience of utility partners, mentors, sponsors and investors.

Vermont Business Magazine Great Gulf, the developer of the vibrant master-planned mountain resort community at Killington, announced today that it will return as the exclusive Diamond sponsor of the Stifel Killington Cup, taking place November 28-29. As part of the partnership, Great Gulf will again be the Official Presenting Sponsor of the VIP Tent at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup. Great Gulf’s continued investment in the event reflects its long-term commitment to the Killington community and its vision for the base village, designed to bring new energy, connectivity and year-round vibrancy to the region. The Stifel Killington Cup is one of the most anticipated events in Vermont and brings upwards of 35,000 visitors to the region over Thanksgiving weekend. The event returns after a one-year hiatus for infrastructure upgrades on the mountain, highlighted by the installation of the new, $12 million Superstar Six high-speed chairlift.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott late Wednesday afternoon signed 10 bills into law but vetoed the renewable energy bill H.710, An act relating to defining electricity generating facilities, as well as the mental health education bill H.817, An act relating to mental health literacy and peer-to-peer supports in schools. He said he vetoed H.817 on constitutional grounds but will pursue the same goals next year. For H.710, he said the bill allows for "the expansion of industrial wind" without proper input from the local communities or the regulator, the Public Utility Commission.

by Annette Smith H.710 got very little testimony in the House Energy & Digital Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee, with a brief stop in the Senate Finance Committee. As it passed through the various committees, it was clear that legislators did not understand the bill. There was much confusion about what it meant. What is it? H.710 changes the definition of “single plant” which was intended originally to address wind turbine projects, so that a road and infrastructure leading to a specific number of wind turbines was considered a “single plant.” The new definition proposed in H.710 would allow for up to 5 MW to be added to every existing wind and solar project in Vermont. And then another 5 MW. And then another.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) on Wednesday released the following statement on the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, details of which have been shrouded in secrecy by the Trump Administration: “I am encouraged by early reports of a ceasefire deal. The bombing in Iran and Lebanon must end. I opposed the war with Iran before it began, and I oppose this war today—it has been a massive failure. President Trump’s own objectives for his illegal war—to topple the regime, to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and eliminate Iran’s ballistic missile program—have not been met. The new Supreme Leader is upholding the status quo, there is no indication that nuclear material has been meaningfully destroyed, and our own intelligence has said 75% of Iran’s missile arsenal is intact. Trump wanted ‘unconditional surrender’ but the only unconditional surrender has been by the president himself."

Vermont Business Magazine Price increases for gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil added $124 million in estimated costs for Vermont drivers and fuel oil customers over the last three months. That’s one of the key findings of the latest analysis from the Energy Action Network (EAN), a statewide non-profit organization that conducts energy-related data tracking, research, and analysis. Since early March, EAN has been analyzing the cost increases that Vermont and Vermonters have been facing since fossil fuel price spikes began after the start of war in Iran on February 28th.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) invites the public to comment on the draft Tactical Basin Plan (TBP) for the West, Williams, and Saxtons Rivers Basin (also known as Basin 11). DEC completed the plan with local nonprofits, regional planners, town officials, and scientists. The plan outlines more than 75 ways to restore and protect rivers, lakes, and wetlands within a portion of Vermont’s Connecticut River Basin, covering towns from Mount Holly to Brattleboro. Members of the public can review and comment on the draft plan from June 15 to July 15, 2026.