Current News

Vermont Business Magazine ZymoChem, the Burlington materials company decarbonizing the chemical industry through biological manufacturing, announces its recognition as a Startup of the Year by The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)'s 2025 Start-Up Awards, which honor start-ups developing innovative products and processes that advance the future of the textile industry. ZymoChem’s proprietary Carbon Conserving™ technology produces the chemical building blocks for nylon from renewable feedstocks, creating drop-in replacements for petroleum-based materials. These bio-based alternatives maintain the same performance characteristics, while significantly reducing carbon emissions.

Vermont Business Magazine More than 450 high school students from across Vermont came together at Vermont State University Randolph on October 9 for the annual Women Can Do conference—a one-day event hosted by Vermont Works for Women that gives students hands-on exposure to careers in the trades and STEM. From welding and aviation mechanics to heavy equipment operation, students had the chance to try new tools, meet local employers, and expand their understanding of what’s possible after high school.

Vermont Business Magazine Mac Mountain unveiled an unprecedented partnership model designed to ensure residential and commercial builders, developers and service providers dramatically increase fiber broadband subscriptions in the communities they serve while also sharing in the recurring cash flow. that is generated. The model combines Mac Mountain’s strategic investment, funding and industry expertise with LightCraft — its new operational arm that provides design, construction, sales and day-to-day operations of these partners’ broadband networks through shared services — everything needed to build subscribers and increase revenue.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Republicans and Democrats have both condemned what Governor Phil Scott called "vile, racist, bigoted, and antisemitic" in a chat group centered in New York State and which included other young Republicans from around the nation, including sitting Vermont State Senator Sam Douglass (R-Orleans) and his wife Brianna, the Vermont Young Republicans national committee member. "We are in agreement with Gov. Phil Scott. Sen. Sam Douglass’ statements as reported by Politico are unacceptable and deeply disturbing. They cannot be excused and are inconsistent with Vermont values and what Vermont Republicans stand for."

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement in response to leaked messages from leaders of a national Young Republican group chat: “The hateful statements made in this group chat are disgusting and unacceptable. The vile, racist, bigoted, and antisemitic dialogue that has been reported is deeply disturbing. There is simply no excuse for it. Those involved should resign from their roles immediately and leave the Republican party – including Vermont State Senator Sam Douglass.”

Vermont Business Magazine Dairy farmers across the Northeast can now apply for the Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC). With a total of $750,000 in funding, this grant will support a wide range of projects aimed at improving farm viability, milk quality, worker conditions, economic sustainability, and climate resilience.  Grants will range from $15,000 to $100,000 with a 25% in-kind and/or cash match.    

Vermont Business Magazine As University of Vermont Health – Porter Medical Center celebrates 100 years of caring for Addison County and the surrounding communities, members of the public are invited to attend a ribbon-cutting event on Friday, October 17 in the hospital’s main lobby. The event from 1 to 3 p.m. in the hospital’s main lobby will include remarks from hospital and health system leaders and the unveiling of the Porter Centennial Exhibit – a 42 ½-foot-long art installation spanning the hallway that connects the hospital’s main entrance and North Wing, which houses Porter’s Surgical Services and Birthing Center. The hospital will also unveil a time capsule that will be installed behind a wall within the building and will be opened in 2075, 50 years from now.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Education announced today that Linda Alvarez, of Windham Regional Career Center in Brattleboro, is the 2026 Vermont Teacher of the Year. Linda will officially begin her role on January 1, 2026. Also recognized as 2026 Distinguished Finalists are Jason Raymond from Burlington Technical Center and Erin Randall from South Burlington High School. Linda has been a Business and Entrepreneurship teacher at the Windham Regional Career Center in Brattleboro for 4 years and is the first Career Technical Education (CTE) educator to receive this award in Vermont.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations fell slightly after a recent increase in cases that began in August. Neither the VDH nor the CDC are reporting COVID fatalities and total cases in Vermont or in the US any longer. WastewaterSCAN testing of treatment plants indicates that in Vermont both COVID-19 and Norovirus levels are higher in Vermont than they are nationally. Meanwhile in Vermont, there were 5 outbreaks last week (7 the week before), with 5 in Long-Term Care Facilities and 0 in schools. 

Vermont Business Magazine A new series of workshops will give cannabis license applicants the business, compliance, and cultivation skills they need to succeed in Vermont’s regulated cannabis marketplace. These short-term courses, created in partnership between VTSU, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) and the Vermont Cannabis Control Board (CCB) will be held December 5-6 on the VTSU Johnson campus. 

Vermont Business Magazine That’s the message behind a new statewide video campaign from Vermont’s mental health agencies, encouraging people to connect with Mobile Crisis teams before their struggles become full-blown crises. The campaign features five short, easy-to-share videos that show what actually happens when someone calls or texts for help—and how Mobile Crisis responders can meet you in the moment, wherever you are. When life feels overwhelming, support should be easy to find. That’s why Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS), is partnering with designated mental health agencies across Vermont to raise awareness of Mobile Crisis services, available 24/7 for anyone experiencing mental health or substance use-related challenges.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR) has partnered with The New Trade Program (NTP), a groundbreaking workforce development initiative founded by Salim Holder. This collaboration represents a bold commitment to workforce development that is deeply grounded in equity, mental wellness, and social impact. At the heart of this partnership is a shared belief: that recovery and purpose go hand in hand - and that meaningful work can be a powerful catalyst for healing, dignity, and systemic change. Salim Holder’s journey from the high-powered world of corporate marketing to launching NTP is a story of transformation. After witnessing the barriers many face in accessing meaningful employment and the ripple effects on families and neighborhoods, Holder shifted his focus from selling products to building futures.