Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, Environmental Conservation Commissioner Misty Sinsigalli, and Watersheds United Vermont today highlighted opportunities for Vermonters to get involved during River Clean-Up Month this September. This initiative emphasizes the important role Vermonters play in keeping the state’s waterways clean. With more than 20,000 miles of rivers and streams in Vermont, waterways play a vital role in the health of the environment, communities, and economy. Clean water protects public health; supports fishing, swimming, and boating, and provides critical habitat for wildlife.

Vermont Business Magazine GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) and BETA Technologies Inc. announced today a new strategic partnership and equity investment agreement, subject to regulatory approval, to accelerate the development of hybrid electric aviation by combining BETA’s rapid innovation approach with GE Aerospace’s global scale and experience. Under the new agreement, GE Aerospace and BETA plan to develop a hybrid electric turbogenerator for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) applications, including long-range Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft, future BETA aircraft, and other potential applications. The collaboration brings BETA’s expertise in high-performance, permanent magnet electric generators together with GE Aerospace’s tested turbine, certification and safety expertise for large-scale manufacturing and electrical power systems expertise. GE Aerospace to make an equity investment of $300 million in BETA Technologies, Inc.

Vermont Business Magazine A local food shelf will be able to buy a full pallet of food for distribution and a local elementary school is getting new playground equipment, thanks to recent grants from the Vermont Electric Co-op’s Community Fund. The Sheldon Methodist Church Food Shelf received $1,000 to purchase a pallet of food – mostly likely to be pasta – to distribute to families in need later this year. The Waterville Elementary School was also awarded a grant of $1,000, and is using the funds to replace and improve equipment in a small and aging playground.

Vermont Business Magazine Windmill Hill, a beautiful and agriculturally important area of Shelburne Farms, is now permanently protected. On August 14, 2025, the education nonprofit conserved these 66 acres with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and Vermont Land Trust (VLT) to create the largest block of conserved farm and forest land on the property, expanding previously protected farmland and lakeshore. The effort safeguards some of the farm’s most beautiful views as well as some of its most productive soils and an extended trail network. 

Northeastern Vermont Development Association Time is running out for Vermonters to get federal tax credits (up to $7,500) when leasing or buying a new or used EV. Drive Electric Vermont put together a simple guide to help navigate the process before the end of September. Getting an EV Charger in Vermont? Looking to add a charger for employees or residential tenants? Charge Vermont can help cover the costs. Funding is still available to workplaces and multi-unit residences in all three NEK Counties (Essex, Orleans, and Caledonia). 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s black bear population is estimated at 6,800 to 8,000 bears based on 2024 data, the most recent available, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. 2024 is the fourth consecutive year that the bear population estimate is above the state’s objective of 3,500 to 5,500 bears, according to the department’s population model. To understand what is driving this apparent growth, the department launched a new research study this past summer. The research will ground-truth model results by gauging how successful Vermont’s bears are at raising their young safely to independence.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.16/g, up 6 cents per gallon from last week, up 5 cents/g from last month and down 19 cents/g from a year ago. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.85/g while the highest was $3.28/g, a difference of 43.0 cents per gallon. Prices were lowest in Bennington ($3.06/g) and Rutland ($3.08/g) counties and highest in Lamoille ($3.25/g), Franklin ($3.26/g) and Grand Isle ($3.23/g), according to AAA. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1 cent per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.20/g today.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Transportation (AOT) today announced that $15.8 million has been released by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for projects funded through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program to deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure along key interstate and state highway corridors. Along with the already-installed Bradford station, the planned, fast-charging locations include: Randolph (I-89), Wilmington (VT-9), Rutland (US-7), St. Albans (I-89), Bennington (US-7/VT-9), Middlebury (US-7), White River Junction (I-89/I-91), Brattleboro (I-91/VT-9), Berlin (I-89), Manchester (US-7), and South Burlington (I-89). 

Vermont Business Magazine The ACLU of Vermont is calling on the state to build on its landmark Fair and Impartial Policing Policy (FIPP) to limit local entanglement in federal deportation efforts. In public comments submitted to the Criminal Justice Council last week, the ACLU called for fidelity to the existing FIPP and for the addition of new data collection requirements to better ensure state agencies are complying with the policy. The FIPP limits local police involvement in immigration enforcement and offers a model policy for local communities to adopt. Though resisted by at least some law enforcement agencies, this legislation established a clear mandate for local police: if an undocumented immigrant poses no threat to an officer or the public, officers should not share their personal information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Border Patrol (ICE and CBP). 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) is inviting public feedback on proposed updates to the Minimum Acceptable Management and Plan Standards for Forest Management. These standards are established by the Commissioner of FPR and apply to land enrolled in the Use Value Appraisal (UVA) program, also known as Current Use, Managed Forestland category. With more than 2 million acres of forestland enrolled, UVA is one of Vermont’s most successful conservation efforts. The program protects water quality, supports forest health and biodiversity, and supports working forests by prioritizing its working land value rather than its development potential. 

Vermont Business Magazine Encore Renewable Energy has energized South Street Storage, a 2MW, 8MWh utility-scale battery energy storage system, located next to the South Street Solar project in Middlebury. South Street Storage is Encore’s first energy storage project and will provide vital demand mitigation services and cost savings to Green Mountain Power (GMP) and its customers. The lithium-ion battery systems for this project were provided by KORE Power. KORE, a leading domestic manufacturer of battery energy storage systems, built the units installed by Encore at its Waterbury, VT facility. KORE’s operation’s team will also be coordinating with Encore to monitor the system’s performance.

Vermont Business Magazine With Vermont students back in the classroom, the American Red Cross in Vermont offers this checklist to help ensure children stay safe as they travel to and from school this year. It’s a community effort.