Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Open Enrollment for Vermont’s health insurance marketplace began on November 1. During Open Enrollment, Vermonters can sign up for or change their qualified health and dental plans for 2026. Coverage starts January 1, 2026, for those who sign up on or before December 15. Open Enrollment ends January 15, 2026. Enhanced premium subsidies from the federal government are set to expire at the end of 2025. These subsidies have helped reduce out-of-pocket costs for Vermonters purchasing health insurance through Vermont Health Connect. DVHA is aware that these subsidies continue to be part of the conversation related to the ongoing federal shutdown. In the event that these subsidies are extended, DVHA will immediately communicate with our members and update Vermont Health Connect to ensure that all Vermonters are paying the lowest possible premiums. 

Vermont Business Magazine More than 2000 students annually will receive vital support to prepare for college and careers, thanks to a renewed $31 million federal GEAR UP grant awarded to the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC). The U.S. Department of Education awarded the funding to VSAC to administer Vermont’s GEAR UP, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. This seven-year grant—spanning 2025 to 2032—will allow VSAC to serve over 2,200 middle and high school students in grades 7–12 and 200 first-year college students annually. The program focuses on first-generation and modest-income families, particularly in Vermont’s rural and underserved communities.

Vermont Business Magazine The Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont (HHAV) is pleased to announce that Michael Redmond will serve as Interim Executive Director beginning November 17, 2025. Michael brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and homelessness services and advocacy, having most recently served as Executive Director of the Upper Valley Haven, a nonprofit providing shelter, food, and support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty. Under his leadership, the Haven strengthened community partnerships and expanded shelter and supportive housing capacity across the region.

Vermont Business Magazine A new report focusing on energy affordability in Vermont has been released by the non-profit organization Energy Action Network (EAN). The report provides in depth analysis of the costs of different energy choices for Vermonters. Transportation is the 2nd largest average household expense, with only the cost of housing being higher. Within housing costs, heating is a major expense. Altogether, over $3 billion a year is spent on energy in Vermont, the largest share being the over $2 billion a year spent on fossil fuels for transportation and heating. Average household energy costs were over $7,000 in Vermont in 2024, primarily for fossil fuels like gasoline for transportation and fuel oil and propane for heating. The report also finds that there are often upfront cost barriers to Vermonters in accessing more efficient equipment, putting the technology that can deliver more durable affordability out of reach of the Vermonters who would benefit most, in the absence of grants and incentives.  

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, October 18th, local shoppers came together to make a big difference—raising $24,234 to help fight hunger in Vermont and New York. During the 15th annual Charity Sale, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel and its customers collectively contributed funds to benefit the Vermont Foodbank and the JCEO Plattsburgh Foodshelf. Throughout October, customers were encouraged to make a $10 donation to one of the two organizations in exchange for a custom canvas tote bag and exclusive access to Lenny’s storewide sale. Every dollar collected went directly to the nonprofits.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Thomas Ndissi, 38, of Chicopee, Massachusetts, was arraigned today on one felony count of Luring a Child. The charge brought against Ndissi was the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), in collaboration with Hartford Police Department. Ndissi pleaded not guilty at the arraignment Tuesday in Vermont Superior Court, Windham Criminal Division. The Court, Judge Robert Katims presiding, ordered Ndissi to be held on $5,000 bond. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine BETA Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:BETA), the South Burlington, Vermont, electric aerospace company, opened trading today on the New York Stock Exchange with an initial offering of just over 34 million shares of its Class A common stock. The initial price at $34 per share was over the initial proposed range ($27-$33) with a whopping $1.1 billion raised. From its prospectus, the initial market capitalization was expected to be $7.2 billion. By the end of today, at this rate, BETA's market cap will be about $7.5 billion.

Vermont Business Magazine With winter approaching, Vermont health officials are encouraging everyone to take steps to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from flu, COVID-19 and RSV – including getting vaccinated. This season’s flu and COVID-19 vaccines are updated to target the most recent strains of the viruses and are recommended for everyone age 6 months and older. Immunizations for RSV are also widely available for pregnant people, infants, and older adults. People at higher risk of serious illness, including older adults, infants and young children, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems, are especially encouraged to get vaccinated.

Vermont Economic Development Authority Thanks to all who attended our Annual Meeting and Luncheon on October 31st at The Farmhouse at Sunset Pond at The Essex Resort & Spa. It was wonderful to see so many friends and colleagues and for some of our borrowers to show you what they do to help Vermont thrive. At the Annual Meeting and Luncheon, we were pleased to release our FY2025 Annual Report. It was a robust year. VEDA made 173 loans worth $61.5 million to Vermont businesses, agricultural operations, and nonprofit organizations for capital investments and working capital. You can read more highlights from the report below.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Rutland Airport Committee is moving forward with a modernization plan for Rutland–Southern Vermont Regional Airport (RUT), ensuring the state’s second-busiest—and only other commercial— airport remains a vital transportation hub for passengers, pilots, and emergency services. The Committee’s current focus includes terminal improvements, expanded hangar capacity, and potential runway rehabilitation to meet modern aviation standards. The goal is to preserve and improve existing infrastructure while supporting safety, accessibility, and environmental responsibility.  Cost and funding sources remain to be addressed.

Vermont Business Magazine In a press conference held in Montpelier today, Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas announced the formation of a new Voting Accessibility Task Force. The Task Force will meet monthly. Its purpose will be to identify barriers that can prevent eligible voters from participating in elections, and to develop recommendations and actionable plans to remove those barriers. As of 2024, over 80% of Vermonters are registered to vote, and over 70% voted in the last two presidential election years. Nationally, 73% of Americans are registered, and 65% voted in the 2024 presidential election.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and eight Senate Democrats in introducing the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act, legislation to provide rapid relief by expanding Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits by $200 per month for six months. The bill follows a recent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) at just $56 per month, on average.