Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont business Magazine The Vermont economy remains relatively healthy, even as the national economy presents uncertainty, but the state tax revenue gravy train is running out of steam and the surpluses elected leaders have counted on to plug holes, as with the property tax, likely will not be available for much longer. While overall revenues have been resilient, revenues from the healthcare segment and from corporate income taxes are weakening. That was the message of the state economists and their consensus revenue update, which they presented last Friday.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.00/g, up 1.6 cents per gallon from last week's $2.99/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.70/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 59.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has risen 3.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.76/g today. The national average is down 8.6 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 32.3 cents per gallon lower than a year ago

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Showcase your Vermont brand to over 1.5 million fairgoers at one of the largest and most iconic events in the Northeast! Each September, the Big E fair transforms West Springfield, MA into a massive celebration of food, culture, and commerce. The Vermont Building—one of six public market–style buildings on the Avenue of the States—features a curated mix of Vermont food producers, makers, and retailers that highlight the very best of our state. The 2026 Big E runs September 18 – October 4, and we are now accepting applications from Vermont businesses that want to join this high-visibility, high-energy event.

Vermont Business Magazine The 34th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation at Saint Michael’s College is drawing its theme this year from Dr. King’s final book, which focused on environmental justice, alongside his social justice work and advocacy. Programming, activities, music, and art throughout the week will all fall under the theme of “The World House: The Interrelatedness of All Things,” which was inspired by Dr. King’s final book, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” In his book, King envisioned the world as one home in which “we must learn somehow to live with each other in peace.” The annual event at Saint Michael’s aims to highlight aspects of Dr. King’s advocacy and vision of a “beloved community.”

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.