Current News

Vermont Business Magazine IMA Financial Group, Inc, a Denver-based insurance brokerage specializing in risk management, employee benefits and wealth management, announced today a strategic partnership with Brattleboro, Vermont-based The Richards Group, a family-owned independent insurance brokerage and advisory firm serving New England. Financial terms were not disclosed. Effective December 31, 2025, the partnership unites The Richards Group's 160 employees and 28,000 clients across Vermont, New Hampshire and beyond, with IMA's national platform and specialty capabilities.

Vermont Business Magazine University of Vermont Health’s board of trustees today announced the appointment of Dr. Stephen Leffler as the health system’s Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Leffler steps into the role formally after leading the organization through critical early phases of strategic realignment during his tenure as Interim CEO since October. Dr. Leffler assumed interim leadership from Dr. Sunny Eappen, who stepped down as CEO earlier this fall. Since then, Dr. Leffler has sought to stabilize the health system and restore more operational decision-making closer to the point of care, while advancing the efficiencies promised by centralization of business services. Dr. Leffler will also continue to serve as University of Vermont Medical Center’s President. 

Vermont Economic Development Authority A partnership with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is creating an amazing financing opportunity for loggers. Loggers purchasing qualifying low-impact equipment are now eligible for a 2.5%-3.0% interest rate from VEDA. Also, in the interest of protecting your information and keeping you informed, VEDA has created an Avoid Fraud and Protect Your Data web page. On it you will find what kind of communications you can expect from VEDA, resources for protecting your data, and what to do if you receive a suspicious request. This web page will also be used to alert you should scammers use VEDA’s name to target victims.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Molly Gray, joined by her husband Mike, son Jack and dozens of supporters, formally announced her candidacy for Lieutenant Governor at Nomad Coffee in Burlington’s South End. Gray previously said she intended to do so. Gray currently serves as Executive Director for the Vermont Afghan Alliance, a non-profit helping Afghan refugees resettle in Vermont, and previously served as Vermont’s 82nd Lieutenant Governor.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.01 per gallon, down 3.8 cents per gallon from last week's $3.05/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.67/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 62.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.74/g today. 

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets The application to vend in the Vermont Building at the 2026 Big E fair opens soon! The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets invites Vermont businesses to apply to this exciting opportunity. The Vermont Building is one of six public market style buildings on the Avenue of the States at the Big E, a 17-day fair and exposition that takes place each September in West Springfield, MA. During this event, which brings in approximately 1.6 million people each year, the Vermont Building hosts a variety of Vermont food and retail businesses that showcase the best of what our state has to offer. The 2026 Big E fair will take place September 18th-October 4th. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Senator Peter Welch and Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) on Saturday, January 3, 2025, condemned President Donald Trump’s unilateral military action against Venezuela as illegal and unconstitutional, warning that it violates international law, endangers global security and usurps Congress’ exclusive authority to declare war. Sanders called on Congress to immediately pass a War Powers resolution to end the operation. They also cited the hypocrisy in light of Trump's failed support of Ukraine after it was invaded by Russia and Trump's pardoning of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, a convicted drug kingpin, despite Trump's assertion that the military action in Venezuela was justified to stop drug trafficking. 

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine When Beth Schiller flies her own plane into Leahy Burlington International Airport, she’s not just arriving in Vermont; she’s landing at the nexus of her two passions. As a pilot, Schiller values precision and planning; as executive director of Champlain Medical Occupational Health & Urgent Care in South Burlington, she applies that same focus to health care, determined to do good and do well. For years, Schiller and her team have looked past the traditional urgent care model, actively partnering with businesses to provide direct, on-site services. She notes that employee uptake for vital health initiatives — such as flu and COVID shots — is significantly higher when the provider comes directly to the workplace, a win for everyone involved.

by Bill Schubart Like many journalists, I tend to see societies through their “beats.” I divide social and economic drivers into specific areas of interest. I’ve organized my New Year’s wish list along these lines and will share my hopes for each in the New Year.

by Rep. Monique Priestley (D-Bradford) As Vermont enters a new legislative session, many legislators and members of the public have asked about the White House’s December 11 executive order targeting state-level artificial intelligence laws. Vermonters deserve to know that state leaders are paying close attention, are prepared, and are not backing down from our responsibility to protect people from real and growing technological harms. The executive order does not create new federal law, nor does it repeal existing state protections. What it does do is signal an aggressive attempt to intimidate states that are doing the work the federal government has repeatedly failed to do.

Northeastern Vermont Development Association The Vermont Council on Rural Development’s Climate Catalyst Innovation Fundsupports local innovative climate projects for which a small grant could have a meaningful impact at the community level. In this round, $60,500 in grants ranging from $500 to $4,000 were awarded to 17 local projects developing solutions that move Vermont closer to its climate and energy goals.

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak announced that the City will open an extreme cold weather shelter in partnership with the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) at the Miller Center at 130 Gosse Court in response to the dangerously cold weather forecasted this week. After reviewing weather modeling in consultation with the City’s Emergency Management Director, officials have determined the forecasted temperature on Sunday, January 4th meets the City’s criteria for operation of an extreme cold weather shelter.