Current News

VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce Birnn Chocolates of Vermont as the recipient of the Outstanding Business of the Year Award. The award will be presented on January 27 at the Vermont Economic Conference, the state’s premier economic gathering of business and policy leaders. Founded in 1915, Birnn Chocolates of Vermont represents more than a century of craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and enduring commitment to doing business with integrity. Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, the company has grown into a nationally distributed brand while keeping its roots and its production firmly planted in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vermont) has reintroduced the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act, bipartisan legislation to expand Medicare coverage of genetic counseling services and improve access for seniors and rural communities nationwide. The legislation would establish Medicare coverage of genetic counseling services furnished by licensed or certified genetic counselors and reimburse providers for their lifesaving work. Genetic counselors are licensed health care professionals who help patients understand inherited health risks and interpret genetic test results. There are nearly 7,000 certified genetic counselors in the United States, and the workforce continues to grow. This guidance can help patients and their doctors make informed care decisions, personalize treatment plans, and support earlier and more accurate disease detection. 

Vermont State Police Vermont state fire investigators are crediting working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms for preventing a fire early Monday from becoming a tragedy for a man and his two young children. At about 5:12 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, the Proctorsville Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at a single-family residence on Main Street. Proctorsville fire was assisted at the scene by fire departments from Chester, Ludlow, Mt. Holly, Springfield and Weathersfield. The homeowner and his two young children escaped the home without injury.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased as the winter flu season is in full swing. Other indicators through wastewater analysis show an increase in COVID-19, Norovirus and especially RSV in Vermont and nationally. There were 3 outbreaks last week (2 the week before), with 3 in Long-Term Care Facilities and 0 in schools. Like hospitalizations, outbreaks increased slightly from mid-summer and have stabilized at a relatively low level. There are no recently reported measles cases in Vermont and the rate nationally is low.

Vermont Business Magazine Applications are now open for Vermont State University’s (VTSU) 2026 3D Technology Summer Institute, a fully residential program designed for rising high school juniors and seniors. Students will experience college life, earn college credits, and gain hands-on skills in 3D technology—all while working with advanced equipment and industry-standard software. The program runs June 28 through August 8 on VTSU’s Randolph campus and is organized into three intensive two-week sessions. Students who complete all three introductory courses will earn nine college credits and the Vermont State University Certificate in 3D Technology. The Institute draws on expertise from Randolph’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, the Castleton Innovation Lab, and faculty across multiple disciplines to deliver an innovative, interdisciplinary learning experience.

Vermont Business Magazine High Fives Foundation, a non-profit national leader in outdoor safety education and adaptive sports support, has named Essex Junction, Vt., resident Ryan McLaren its 2025 M. Scott Roberds Athlete of the Year. The award was presented during the foundation’s annual gala in Reno, Nev., an evening dedicated to honoring the heart of the organization — the athletes, partners, volunteers, and supporters who drive the mission of preventing life-changing injuries and providing resources and hope when they occur. The event raised more than $545,000 to support athletes across the country.

Vermont Business Magazine The 2026 Legislative Session officially opened at 10 AM on January 6. A year ago, the usual State House crowd was lamenting that "week 1” was more like “month 1” as a large class of freshman legislators took their oaths and new committee chairs took the helm. The vibes could not be more different this time around as lawmakers jump in feet first.  Across the capital, building policy committees are taking up newly introduced legislation and beginning discussions on what will be the session’s signature committee bills related to transportation, tax policy, education, and housing. 

Vermont Business Magazine University of Vermont Health – Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) announced that Anna Tempesta Noonan, BSN, MS, RN, will retire as President and Chief Operating Officer following nine years of dedicated service leading CVMC, and more than three decades of service across UVM Health. Noonan will step down in the Spring of 2026. Noonan joined CVMC as President & COO in 2017, bringing deep clinical and operational experience after establishing and leading the Jeffords Institute for Quality at the University of Vermont Health - UVM Medical Center. Her work at the Jeffords Institute earned national recognition for quality, safety, and infection prevention, secured substantial graduate medical education funding, and sustained top performance among academic medical centers. 

Vermont Business Magazine The litigation law firm of Gfeller Laurie LLP is pleased to announce the expansion of its footprint in the Northeast by opening a new office in Rutland, VT and adding partners Thomas P. Aicher and Kaveh S. Shahi, along with associate Ellie Gebarowski-Shafer and their staff. The new Gfeller Laurie Vermont office is located at 110 Merchants Row, Suite 3, Rutland, Vermont. Gfeller Laurie now boasts four former presidents of the prestigious Association of Ski Defense Attorneys including Charles Gfeller, Steve Zweig, Maryjo Zweig and now Tom Aicher. Tom is a former principal and shareholder with Cleary, Shahi & Aicher, P.C.

Vermont Business Magazine As Vermont’s population continues to age faster than nearly every other state in the nation, the need for strong, community-based support for older adults has never been more urgent. With Vermont now the second-oldest state in the U.S.—and a growing share of residents over 65 expected in the years ahead—Age Well is strengthening its leadership at a pivotal moment by welcoming four respected community leaders to its Advisory Council to help ensure older Vermonters remain healthy, independent, and connected at home.

Vermont Business Magazine The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in White River Junction, Vermont is pleased to announce the Emergency Department has returned to the Mountains Building. The Emergency Department has temporarily been operating in a different location while repairs were being completed to their Mountains Building treatment area. Damage occurred during an extreme wind and hailstorm.

Vermont Business Magazine Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH) has received a 5-star patient experience rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that reimburses home health agencies and sets regulations and standards of care. This top rating places CVHHH in the top 5% of Medicare-certified home health agencies nationwide for patient satisfaction and is based on feedback from patients who received home health care from CVHHH during the twelve months ending March 31, 2025.