Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Bridges to Health, a nationally recognized statewide Community Health Worker (CHW) program serving immigrant and migrant workers and their families across Vermont, will transition from University of Vermont Extension to a fiscal sponsorship under Vermont’s Free & Referral Clinics on July 1, 2026. Starting in 2010 with a grant to expand a labor management pilot project that focused on migrant farmworkers, Bridges to Health has grown in response to the evolving health access needs of immigrant and migrant communities throughout Vermont. While initially focused on agricultural workers, the program now also supports individuals and families working in the service industry, hospitality sector, and building trades.

Vermont Business Magazine To cap off U.S. Travel’s National Travel and Tourism Week (May 3-9, 2026), the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) has launched the state’s first Destination Management Plan. VDTM Commissioner Heather Pelham formally announced the plan during her keynote address at the Vermont Tourism Summit, held April 28-29 in Killington, VT. VDTM embarked on the Destination Management Plan project over a year ago, using public engagement activities like surveys, in-depth interviews, and state-wide listening sessions to inform its efforts. Refined further by feedback from organizations across the industry, the plan is a collective tool that will cultivate a robust and sustainable visitor economy in Vermont over the next 5-10 years.

by Devon Green, VAHHS In years past, legislators would have already decamped back to their hometowns to gear up for campaign season. While things aren’t over yet, the health care issues appear to be wrapping up rapidly. This includes Reference-Based Pricing: The House Health Care Committee advanced S.190, which puts the Green Mountain Care Board on track to begin reference-based pricing in FY 2027. In the version voted out, the Green Mountain Care Board may take up to 3.5% of commercial net patient revenue system-wide and apply it to the individual and small group market and teachers’ plans as reference-based pricing. The systemwide total of this amount is $54.6M. Earlier versions of the bill had reference based-pricing proposals ranging from $90M-$140M.

Vermont Business Magazine Aspiring surgical technologists took their first step into careers in health care Friday morning last week, at a ceremony that also celebrated an injection of federal funding that will expand health care careers training across Vermont. At a signing and welcome event at UVM Health’s IDX Campus in South Burlington, leaders from health care, workforce and government gathered to welcome six surgical technician apprentices, as part of observances celebrating National Apprenticeship Week. The group is the first cohort of the health system’s Surgical Technologist Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Vermont Business Magazine Lamoille Home Health & Hospice announces that Kathy Demars, Executive Director will retire after more than 30 years of dedicated service to the organization. Her tenure has been marked by unwavering commitment, compassionate leadership, and a deep devotion to the mission of providing high-quality, patient-centered care to the communities Lamoille Home Health & Hospice serves. Erica Scott has assumed responsibility for the organization’s day-to-day leadership. Demars will remain with Lamoille Home Health & Hospice through the end of May to provide guidance, continuity, and support to ensure a smooth transition. 

Vermont Business Magazine Riders across Vermont are preparing for the 9th annual local edition of The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, set to take place on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Hosted locally by Classic Bike Experience (CBE) in partnership with CycleWise Inc., the event is part of a worldwide movement uniting more than 1,100 cities in support of men’s health. Now celebrating its 15th year globally, The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride began in 2012 with a simple idea: dress sharp, ride classic motorcycles, and make a difference. Since then, it has grown into the world’s largest coordinated motorcycle charity event, raising over $60 million for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health programs.

Vermont Business Magazine NEK Broadband and CVFiber (collectively, NEKCV) recently announced their newest internet offering: a 50/50 Mbps plan for $59 per month. This fiber internet service is designed to meet the needs of everyday users while expanding access to reliable internet throughout the 72-town communications union district. In the past few years, NEK Broadband and CVFiber have built over 1,300 miles of fiber-optic cable to addresses without reliable internet service. The existing network buildout and resulting customer base, coupled with the grant funding, have enabled them to respond to a need many people have expressed: a budget-friendly plan that anyone can access.  

Vermont Business Magazine Mascoma Bank and Androscoggin Bank today announced their plan to combine their parent companies into a single mutual holding company, bringing together two strong, mutually owned community banks that share deep roots across Northern New England. The combination reflects a long‑term commitment to preserving and strengthening mutual banking in the region while ensuring both institutions can continue to invest, innovate, and serve their communities for generations to come. Under the proposed structure, both Mascoma Bank, with branches in Vermont, and Androscoggin Bank will continue to operate with their own names, brands, charters, and Boards of Directors.

Vermont State Police As the investigation continues, the Vermont State Police is able to identify the deceased woman as Noel A. Neely, 82, a resident of the home on Douglas Hill Road where the incident occurred. This case remains open and active. The state police is working is in close communication with the Windsor County State’s Attorney’s Office regarding the details and circumstances of the case. Due to the ongoing investigation, VSP will be releasing no further details at this time.

Vermont Business Magazine EastRise Credit Union today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Robert Miller as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 8, 2026. He succeeds John Dwyer, who is retiring after a distinguished career of nearly four decades. Following a national search, the Board selected Robert Miller for his leadership, strategic clarity, and deep commitment to EastRise’s purpose and values. Miller currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer, where he has helped lead EastRise through a pivotal period of transformation. He previously served as CEO of VSECU for nearly a decade and brings deep experience in banking, organizational leadership, and community impact. His background includes roles at Citibank, service with the Vermont Department of Economic Development, and leadership roles in investment management.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak and Burlington Electric Department (BED) shared Burlington’s Net Zero Energy (NZE) Roadmap update for 2025, announced availability of new downtown, public electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers, and introduced BED’s new customer support artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, “Sparky.” The Roadmap update shows that Burlington’s greenhouse gas emissions in the ground transportation and thermal/buildings sectors are down 17.8 percent in 2025 compared to the 2018 baseline, representing a moderate overall rebound in emissions compared to 2024 when emissions were down 19.6 percent.

Vermont Business Magazine Cathedral Square was honored last week at Efficiency Vermont’s Better Building by Design (BBD) conference, where Reid Commons in St. Albans took home a Best of the Best Performance Excellence Award for Residential New Construction in the Multifamily Homes category. The annual conference draws design professionals, construction leaders, and climate workforce experts from across the region. Reid Commons is a 33-unit affordable apartment community for adults ages 55 and older in St. Albans, with 27 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments serving low- and moderate-income residents.