Current News

by Maggie Lenz and Gwynn Zakov On Friday, the Vermont Emergency Board, commonly referred to as the E-Board, met to hear from the state’s economists and formally adopt the Consensus Revenue Forecast for the General, Transportation, and Education Funds. The E-Board is made up of the Governor and the chairs of Senate Appropriations, Senate Finance, House Appropriations, and House Ways & Means committees. Revenue forecasts are adopted twice a year, in January and July, and they play a central role in the budget process. The economists use complex economic models to estimate how much money the state is likely to collect over the next few years, giving lawmakers a framework for how much the state can reasonably spend.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports has purchased more than 125 acres of land in Rochester and conserved the property with the Vermont Land Trust (VLT). The land will become Vermont Adaptive’s first owned outdoor education and retreat center, officials announced this week. The sale, which closed December 15, 2025, was completed in partnership with VLT and with acquisition funding from the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB). The property will be permanently protected under a conservation easement held by VLT and VHCB. The property — now known as the Vermont Adaptive Outdoor Center — includes a historic farmhouse, garage and barn, forestland, open fields, a pond, and access to an established trail network connected to the Ridgeline Outdoor Collective’s multi-use Rochester Valley Network, as well as the larger Velomont Trail system.

Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies We sat down with our dear friend David Aronoff, managing partner at MCJ, one of the leading early-stage climate tech venture funds. David brings decades of venture experience, from building rocketship startups to investing at top firms like Greylock and Flybridge. What sets MCJ apart is its unconventional approach: no board seats, no led rounds, just relentless focus on portfolio support powered by a massive community of talent. With deep roots in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, a passion for durable companies, and a clear-eyed view on everything from AI bubbles to Vermont’s innovation ecosystem, David offers sharp insights for founders, investors, and anyone serious about climate solutions.

by Kim Fitzgerald, CEO, Cathedral Square Vermont has one of the oldest populations in the nation, a severe housing shortage, and rising healthcare costs. As the legislative session begins, new research offers evidence about an investment that addresses these realities: age-specific, affordable housing with supportive services for adults age 55 and older. A recent study from NORC at the University of Chicago tracked older adult who moved into age-specific housing communities over a two-year period. Rather than experiencing the decline many assume comes with such life transitions, residents showed significant improvements in health, longevity, and quality of life.

Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation This month, the legislature began its 2026 session with an ambitious schedule that includes important pieces of legislation relevant to economic development that we’re watching closely. Among them: Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP); Permanently extend the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI) Program; Continuing Technical Education (CTE).

Vermont Business Magazine The Navy Office of Community Outreach recently announced the 12 locations it will visit in 2026 as part of the Navy’s signature outreach program known as Navy Weeks. Navy Weeks provide an opportunity for communities to better understand how the Navy delivers power for peace, from seabed to space. As the nation celebrates Freedom 250 throughout 2026, the Navy’s Outreach team will embark on a celebratory “Road Trip to 250,” linking key locations in America to our maritime dominance. Navy Weeks will serve as a symbolic link connecting communities across America to their Navy, highlighting the shared history and the enduring commitment to defending freedom and supporting our nation’s independence.

Vermont Business Magazine Morrisville Water and Light, together with the Vermont Natural Resources Council, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, American Whitewater, and the Vermont Council of Trout Unlimited, have jointly requested a status conference with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding matters related to the Green River Reservoir, the FERC license, and the State of Vermont’s Water Quality Certification.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont initial weekly unemployment claims increased last week following the usual volatile labor activity at the end of holiday season. For the week ending January 10, 2026, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that there were 600 new claims, up 69 from the previous week and down 15 from last year at this time. New claims are at typical seasonal levels but ongoing claims are high. The Montpelier-based Public Assets Institute released its analysis of the labor market this week, which found that the number of Vermonters working has fallen below pre-pandemic levels as of late 2025. Wall Street lost ground this week, as the S&P 500 fell slightly to close at 6,940 after it peaked earlier this week at 6,986. The Nasdaq and Dow also slumped. The DJIA finished the week at 49,359 after a 52-week high of 49,633 and Nasdaq closed at 23,515 after peaking a 24,019.

Vermont Business Magazine New bag scanning technology at the Emergency Department (ED) entrance of University of Vermont Medical Center will make entering the hospital easier for patients and visitors, starting later this month. Beginning January 20, patients and visitors entering the ED will once again be able to bring personal bags with them into the hospital. All bags and personal items will be screened using the enhanced technology, which will speed up the screening process for patients and visitors arriving at the ED. The new screening process replaces the hospital’s previous policy, which went into effect in 2023, required patients and visitors in the ED to leave personal bags in their vehicle and utilize clear plastic bags to hold their personal items while in the facility. 

by Attorney General Charity Clark Scammers are coming for your business. The business impostor scam is where criminals pretend to be a business representative, a supervisor, an employee, a customer, or a potential business partner. Having gained your trust, they attempt via email or phone to trick you into sending them money. Sometimes, the scammers are phishing for personal data, like account passwords and bank account numbers, that they can use to steal your money – or sell on illegal online marketplaces. Make no mistake: imposter scammers are sophisticated criminals. They often have pieces of your information, which are used to make their scam appear legitimate. Scammers are experts in human psychology. Their messages are designed to spark emotion, create urgency, and push you to act quickly before your rational thinking takes over.

Vermont Business Magazine The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced the appointment of five leaders in agriculture to serve on the Vermont USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee. Members of the FSA state committee are appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and, in support of the Trump Administration’s Farmers First commitment, members of the FSA state committee are responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving program delivery appeals from the agriculture community, maintaining cooperative relations with industry stakeholders and keeping producers informed about current FSA programs.   

Vermont Business Magazine Vermonters can keep their New Year’s resolutions to save energy with 2026 rebates and financial support from Efficiency Vermont and partners across the state—including weatherization incentives while funding lasts. Heat pump heating system rebates are available through a joint program offered by Efficiency Vermont and your electric utility. Efficiency Vermont’s website also has information on additional incentives that may be available from your utility. Weatherization rebates offering up to 90% cash back are also available