Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Dairy farmers, processors, and stakeholders are invited to the second Northeast Dairy Innovation Summit, to be held on March 10-11 in Albany, NY.  Hosted by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), the Summit offers workshops on Dairy Farm Innovation and Modernization, Processing Modernization and Expansion, Dairy Workforce Development and other topics.  This year’s theme of Dynamic Dairy: Opportunities at Every Scale will highlight a range of opportunities for dairy farms and processors of all sizes. From forage and robotics to sensory training and dairy marketing, we’ll dig into the systems and factors driving innovation and growth on the farm and in the processing plant.

Vermont Business Magazine Each year, the transition from classroom to career brings a familiar set of challenges for college students, including how to present themselves professionally, how to prepare for interviews, and how to navigate early career expectations. For hundreds of Norwich University students, those challenges are addressed through an initiative that combines community generosity with practical career preparation. Now in its third year, the Dressing for Success event, an initiative of Norwich University’s Women Kicking Glass committee, continues to provide students with donated business attire at no cost. The event is designed to help students prepare for internship and job interviews, professional networking opportunities, and other career-related social and professional settings.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s new deer hunting regulation effective this year includes 16 additional days of archery hunting opportunity to help manage deer in eight targeted areas. High deer numbers in these areas are damaging property and native vegetation.  Most are developed areas where deer cannot be effectively managed with firearms. Archery deer hunting in these expanded archery zones begins September 15, and only antlerless deer may be taken in these areas until the regular archery deer season begins on October 1. Like in the regular archery season, an archery license is required, and all archery season regulations apply.

Vermont Business Magazine With peace in her heart and her loved ones by her side, Stephanie Jill Mapes, age 65, peacefully put her angel wings on and sailed into her new life on January 6, 2026. She leaves her husband Scott Michael Mapes, son Scott Lennon Mapes and his fiancé Cosette Giroux, soon to be in-laws Jason and Siersha Giroux, Sister Diane Miller, her beloved guardian cat Skunk, Lennon's Godparents David and Diane Bahrenburg, many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends. While a student at University of Delaware, she was drawn to one class: Economics and The Law. This led her to Vermont Law School where she met Scott. Eventually, she became the first female president at Paul, Frank & Collins where she stayed for her entire 35-year career. 

Vermont Business Magazine The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in Vermont, which represents more than 800 small businesses in the state, is urging lawmakers to reject a new mandate on the smallest businesses. The Vermont Treasurer is proposing to expand mandatory participation in Vermont Saves to businesses with fewer than five employees. Vermont has approximately 10,500 small businesses with 1-4 employee, per the U.S. Census Statistics of U.S. Businesses. They employ an average of 1.6 people per business. According to a Vermont Public report on the legislation that created Vermont Saves, participation was not intended to be mandatory for employers with fewer than five employees.

Vermont Business Magazine January is the National Safety Awareness Month and ski areas across Vermont are engaging skiers and riders with a variety of safety education events and activities. Ranging from safety-themed arts and crafts and morning coffee with ski-patrol to in-person presentations from Ski Vermont’s partner The Snow Angel Foundation, the focus is on reminding skiers and riders that safety is a collaborative effort. As community hubs, Vermont ski areas are focusing on safety through community involvement. Using the Triangle of Safety, Your Responsibility Code, and partnerships with organizations like the Snow Angel Foundation and High Fives Foundations, ski areas around the state are strengthening Vermont’s collaborative culture on the slopes. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) released the following statement of support after Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem:  “Kristi Noem has proven to be an unqualified leader in charge of what has become a rogue army of ICE agents. Americans have been stunned by the cruelty and callousness of agents under her leadership, and she has been unaccountable to members of Congress who have rightly demanded answers on behalf of our constituents. Over the past year, Secretary Noem has endangered our communities, disregarded due process, and undermined the legal immigration system. Now, with her botched handling of the Renee Nicole Good shooting investigation, she has further eroded public trust by lying to Americans and telling us that we can’t believe our own eyes."

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV) has released the 2026 Environmental Common Agenda, which lays out this year’s top legislative priorities for the Vermont environmental community. VCV releases the Common Agenda every January when the legislature convenes in partnership with other environmental advocacy organizations from across the state. This year, more than two dozen organizations participated in the process of developing and setting the agenda, with 22 organizations signing on as partners of the final agenda - the largest coalition yet.  

Vermont business Magazine Governor Phil Scott’s office today announced a range of appointments made in the fourth quarter of 2025. Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website to apply.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has launched a new online commercial vehicle permitting system, called VT Haul Pass, that will drastically reduce the time required for the commercial vehicle industry to obtain permits to operate oversize or overweight vehicles on Vermont highways. The new system is designed to keep industry moving without delay. If an emergency move is needed, it can be done outside of regular business hours. Previously, permit applications were submitted manually.

Vermont Business Magazine The Walter Cerf Community Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation recently awarded $97,000 in grants to 25 organizations in its 2025 competitive grants round. These awards build upon an additional $53,500 distributed in first-year payments to the fund’s multiyear cohort, bringing the total grantmaking for 2025 to $150,500. The fund is pleased to support one applicant with a large, single-year grant award: the town of Whiting has been awarded $10,000 to support the restoration of their town hall. Additional grants include a combination of awards to organizations supporting youth and families, education, historic preservation, arts, health, and community enrichment in Addison County and statewide.

Vermont Business Magazine Gordini, based in Essex Junction and a leader in outdoor accessories innovation since 1956, greets its 70th year in 2026 by becoming a 4-season brand. New product offerings for Spring/Summer 2026 include low-rise, quarter and crew height performance socks in ultra-light, light, and mid weights for outdoor adventures, including running, trail, hike and everyday wear styles. The eight new sock styles for men and women feature Gordini’s OrbitFit technology that fuses performance fibers in anatomically mapped 3D zones throughout the sock to deliver support and comfort in a way that has never been available in outdoor adventure sock design.  Historically known for its cold-weather gear solutions, Gordini’s expansion of its OrbitFit technology into warm weather performance socks marks a natural evolution for the brand.