Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Beacon Bank has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s best regional banks for 2026, receiving the highest possible rating of five stars. Beacon Bank was selected from more than 8,800 banks and credit unions across the country that are committed to powering local economies by supporting businesses, financing community projects and providing reliable access to everyday banking services. Beacon Bank has five branches in Vermont. They are located in Manchester (2), Rutland, Arlington and Ludlow.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont now has nearly 21,000 electric vehicles on the road, a 12% increase over the last year, according to new data from Drive Electric Vermont. As high gas prices steer drivers toward more affordable alternatives, the growing number of used EVs on the market—plus utility incentives and discounted charging rates—make driving electric an increasingly cost-effective option for Vermont drivers. For most Vermonters, driving an EV is like paying $1.75/gallon—closer to $1/gallon when using discounted home charging rates or bill credits offered by many Vermont utilities. Driving a gas-powered car can cost 150% more per mile as average Vermont gas prices remain around $4.50/gallon.

Vermont Business Magazine As folks head to their lakefront properties for the summer, the Vermont Lakes and Ponds Program is offering guidance to help property owners protect and restore their lakeside properties. The Shoreland Best Management Practices guidance highlights different ways owners can improve their properties to benefit lake health and shoreline habitat. The Shoreland Protection Act regulates new activities in protected shoreland areas that are within 250 feet of the shoreline of lakes and ponds that have a surface area of 10 or more acres. Property owners need a Shoreland Protection Permit for activities in protected shoreland areas.

Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont today announced a proposal to locate the Green Mountain Youth Center in South Burlington. It will serve as a residential treatment center for youth ages 12 to 18 that will provide 24-hour support in a highly structured, clinically intensive setting. The state has been working for years on an option for justice-involved youth with complex mental health and behavioral needs. Without such a facility, youth in need of this level of care may be placed in other, less appropriate settings or sent out of state. If all phases proceed as expected, the Green Mountain Youth Center could be operational by mid to late summer of 2028. 

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center is launching A Place to Belong, a fundraising campaign dedicated to raising the resources necessary to transform a therapeutic student space within the Tutorial and Behavior Services (TABS) Inclusion Program at Baird School in Burlington. The funds will help redesign the TABS multipurpose room, a space that currently serves as a cafeteria, library, calming area, gathering space and student gardening hub. The renovation will transform this functional space into a warm, welcoming and supportive environment where students can reset and thrive. Located at Howard Center’s 1138 Pine St. site, the TABS Program serves students whose traditional school environments have become overwhelming socially, emotionally, behaviorally or academically.

Vermont State Police On Tuesday at approximately 9:40 pm, the Tunbridge Fire Department was notified of a fire alarm activation at the Tunbridge Central School. Tunbridge Fire, Chelsea Fire, and First Branch Ambulance responded to the school.  Fire personnel located a small fire within an art classroom at the school and were able to quickly suppress the fire. One minor injury was treated on scene by First Branch Ambulance.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame is proud to announce its 2026 class of inductees, recognizing individuals whose dedication, leadership, and innovation have made a lasting impact on Vermont agriculture. For more than two decades, the Hall of Fame has celebrated the achievements of farmers, growers, agricultural professionals, service providers, and industry advocates who have helped strengthen Vermont’s agricultural community. Since its founding, the Hall of Fame has honored more than 120 individuals whose contributions continue to shape the state's agricultural legacy.

Vermont Business Magazine On June 1, 2026, Community Bancorp (symbol CMTV), the parent company of Community National Bank in Derby, was selected by the American Bankers Association (ABA) to join the ABA Nasdaq Community Bank Index (ABAQ). This index includes 222 community banks with $239.8 billion in market capitalization and is the most broadly representative stock index of the community bank industry. The index helps raise awareness of this key segment of the financial services sector among analysts and investors.

Vermont Business Magazine Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas connected with Vermont business leaders at von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort today for the latest installment of the Wellspring Forum series. Each event in the series brings together top business and policy leaders for a thoughtful and engaging discussion on pressing economic issues and is moderated by Vermont Chamber President Amy Spear.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) and the Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR) have come together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support the expansion of Recovery Friendly Workplaces in Vermont. This MOU agreement formalizes a shared commitment to helping Vermont employers create workplace cultures where people struggling with substance use challenges and people in recovery can thrive and where all employees feel supported, valued, and connected. Recovery-friendly workplaces encourage understanding, wellness, and support through education, training, and policies focused on recovery.

 Vermont Economic Development Authority It’s June and we definitely have earned the pleasant weather and sunshine today! The legislature wrapped up its work on Friday and we are pleased with the outcomes of three bills that we have been watching, S.328 which allows VEDA to finance multi-unit housing projects, S.323 which incorporates the Vermont Agricultural Credit Corporation into VEDA, and S.327 that establishes a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) on Tuesday pressed Tom Schultz, Chief of the Forest Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), about how the U.S. Forest Service’s reorganization plan  will hinder the agency’s capacity to managing the National Forest System, including Vermont’s Green Mountain Forest. “As a Senator from Vermont—and someone who sits in the seat of Senator Leahy, who was so instrumental in helping us—this is a vital institution for Vermont. This is a vital institution for the well-being of our environment. I urge you to take into account the impact locally, not just the impact financially, where: to save a dollar, you may lose a forest,” said Senator Welch.