Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.06 per gallon, unchanged  from last week's $3.07/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.65/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 64.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.99/g today.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is accepting applications for the Harvest and Post-Harvest Handling Food Safety Grant. The purpose of this one-time funding is to provide infrastructure or equipment for operations performing harvest and post-harvest activities in either the meat or produce sector in Vermont. Specifically, this funding opportunity is only open to businesses that are subject to federal, or state equivalent, food safety regulatory inspections. Produce operations receiving regular inspection through the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule (FSMA PSR) are eligible.

Vermont Business Magazine Ian B. Baucom was installed as the 18th president of Middlebury College on November 2 at an inauguration ceremony at Virtue Field House marking the beginning of a new era—one day after the 225th anniversary of the College’s founding. More than 500 faculty, staff, students, community members, and delegates from 35 colleges and universities attended the culminating event of a three-day celebration of academics, arts, and community honoring the College’s new president. They stood and cheered as Baucom took the lectern for his inaugural address after being formally installed by William F. Truscott ’83, chair of the Middlebury Board of Trustees.

by Madelyn Nonni, Community News Service Trash day isn’t usually known to be full of glitz and glamour, but a new local business is aiming to assist homeowners and businesses on one of the dirtiest days of the week. Bin Force One is Vermont’s first professional trash bin cleaning service, focusing on giving quality cleanliness to its customers, using state-of-the-art, EPA-certified equipment, environmentally friendly cleaning solutions, and a 17-stage filtration system that captures and filters dirty water, avoiding storm-drain pollution. Additionally, they offer soft and pressure washing, surface cleaning and fleet washing for commercial vehicles.

by Peter Koerella, UVM Nothing beats Vermont in the fall; it’s a sentiment especially true this season for the first group of recent Vermont graduates, who will receive thousands toward their student loans for staying put in the state after graduation. This October, The Green Mountain Job Retention Program began releasing $845,000 in stipend awards to 169 students who graduated from Vermont’s higher-ed institutions in 2023, after they honored a two-year commitment of living and working in the state; nearly half of those recipients graduated from University of Vermont. State organizers are seeking 300 graduates to participate in a new cohort staying in Vermont. The program – a collaboration between the State of Vermont, UVM, and VSAC – offers a $5,000 loan repayment to incentivize new graduates from Vermont colleges and universities to live and work full time in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will affect traffic on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont for the week of November 3, 2025. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.    

Vermont Business Magazine Lost Lantern, the award-winning independent bottler of American whiskey, proudly announces its Fall 2025 release: The Scotch Lovers’ Collection, an invitation for Scotch drinkers to take a deep dive into the more traditional side of American single malt. Officially recognized by the federal government as a new whiskey category in December 2024, American single malt is a wide-ranging style, including both whiskies that are very different from other world single malts and ones with distinctively traditional, classic single malt flavors with American nuances. The Scotch Lovers’ Collection shines a light on these more traditional American single malts with flavor profiles that will immediately appeal to Scotch drinkers… even if they’ve never encountered or explored American single malt before.  

Vermont Business Magazine Ledyard Financial Group, Inc. (OTCQX: LFGP), the holding company for Ledyard National Bank with a branch in Vermont, on Friday announced financial results for Q3 2025. Quarterly net income per share increased to $0.46 from $0.39 in the prior quarter (up 18%), as core business activity continued to expand. Strong loan growth continued to drive balance sheet growth, and wealth management revenue increased despite market volatility during the quarter. Reflecting the continued success of the company’s strategic investments, net income in the quarter was up 110% over the comparable year-ago period and is a quarterly pace of earnings that begins to approach the high points of previous years. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Trump administration recently issued a new interpretive rule advising that the Federal Credit Reporting Act preempts state measures to remove medical debt from credit reports. This guidance, issued by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Acting Director Russell Vought, directly challenges laws passed in several states, including Vermont, that prohibit the reporting of medical debt on credit scores. While the administration's interpretation is not legally binding, it signals an intent to override state efforts to relieve medical debt for workers and families. 

Vermont Business Magazine Over the last several years, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) has presented the ‘Fantastic Farmer’ award to a Vermont farmer passionately representing the heritage, culture, and environmental stewardship goals that our farmers and farming community strive for every day.  The $5,000 grant that comes with this annual award is made possible by the A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund.  With the statewide drought impacting all farms across the state and in lieu of an award to any one farmer this year, the Pizzagalli family has decided to donate to the Vermont Farm Fund to recognize that all Vermont farmers are ‘fantastic’ in their efforts to sustain this mission in the face of significant weather challenges. 

Vermont Business Magazine A Massachusetts federal court on Friday found that Attorney General Charity Clark and the coalition of 22 other attorneys general and three governors were “likely to succeed” on their claims against the Trump Administration and the USDA seeking to restore SNAP funding. In a separate case brought by private plaintiffs and nonprofits in Rhode Island federal court, a federal judge ordered that the administration “must distribute” aid using the contingency fund and potentially other sources and pay the benefits as soon as possible. The coalition brought a lawsuit earlier this week challenging the administration’s unlawful suspension of SNAP, which helps more than 40 million Americans buy food, during to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The court has ordered the Trump Administration to advise the court by Monday whether it will authorize reduced SNAP benefits using the contingency funds available or authorize full SNAP benefits.

Vermont Business Magazine The heart of Manchester was filled with joy and nostalgia as Cottage Toy Co. & Candy Shop officially celebrated its grand opening with a community ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event was attended by local town officials, members of the Manchester Business Association, residents, and visitors who gathered to welcome this delightful new addition to the Manchester business community. Guests enjoyed light bites, a festive atmosphere, and a special discount on all in-store merchandise during the evening celebration. Located in the heart of Manchester, Cottage Toy Co. & Candy Shop invites visitors to step into a world of wonder — where nostalgia meets pure joy. This charming shop is brimming with whimsical toys, classic games, and delightful sweets that capture the hearts of both kids and grown-ups alike.