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Vermont Business Magazine Join VBSR for this free webinar exploring how federal decisions are shaping Vermont’s future. From changes in federal rulemaking to the OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Bill Act), Vermont advocates and business leaders will share insights on what’s happening in Washington, and what it means for our state. VBSR Public Policy Manager, Johanna de Graffenreid, will facilitate a conversation on how these decisions will impact Vermont businesses, VBSR’s 2025-2026 Advocacy Agenda, and key priorities like Vermont’s workforce development goals, early childhood education, the renewable energy industry, and more.

Vermont Business Magazine In 1955, the Ticonderoga made its remarkable overland journey from Lake Champlain to Shelburne Museum, where it has remained “docked” in its grassy basin ever since. Today, the 220-foot landmark remains one of the most iconic and beloved structures on the museum’s campus. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Ticonderoga’s arrival, Shelburne Museum will host a weekend-long celebration packed with activities for all ages, September 11–14, 2025.

by Olivia Hatch, Vermont Business Magazine What is the future of Vermont? How do we attract and keep young people in the state? How do we build a more robust and dynamic economy? These questions are on the hearts of Vermonters, especially as we were one of only three states that saw a population decline in 2024. Attracting young professionals and entrepreneurs could be the key, but what is here to attract and keep them? The answer is co-working and innovation hubs. 

Vermont Business Magazine Historic Hotels of America has announced the Nominee Finalists for the 2025 Historic Hotels of America Annual Awards of Excellence. Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit organization chartered by U.S. Congress in 1949, for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels from across the United States of America. Making the list from Vermont were the Von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort (1942) in Stowe and the Castle Hill Resort and Spa (1905) in Cavendish. Through the Historic Hotels of America Annual Awards of Excellence, this prestigious program honors the most exemplary historic hotels, hoteliers, and leadership practices with awards including Historic Hotels of America Best Historic Resort, Historic Hotels of America Sustainability Champion, and Historic Hotels of America Best Historic Hotel by size categories.

The Vermont State Police investigation into Thursday night’s fatal police shooting in Springfield remains active and ongoing. VSP is able to identify the deceased man as James Crary, 36, of Newport, New Hampshire. Detectives have learned that members of the Springfield Police Department and the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department had responded shortly before 9:30 p.m. Thursday to 78 Valley St. as part of an open investigation. When law enforcement arrived at the address, they encountered a man, later identified as Crary, in a vehicle outside the home. Crary accelerated toward the officers, who were standing outside their vehicles. At that point, a Springfield police officer and a Windsor County sheriff’s deputy opened fire with their department-issued firearms. Crary was struck by gunfire and pronounced dead on scene. 

The Vermont State Police is investigating a suspicious death in southern Vermont. The Bennington Police Department is providing assistance. The investigation began at about 3:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, when Bennington police were notified that a woman had been dropped off at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington with a significant injuries including head injury believed to be a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced dead at the hospital. Bennington officers secured the hospital, determined that no shooting had occurred on site, and detained a person of interest. The local agency learned the woman had been injured outside their community and turned over the case to the Vermont State Police.

Vermont Business Magazine Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, announced that CannaPlanners is No. 1,868 on the annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list provides a data-driven snapshot of the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. Past honorees include companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Under Armour, Timberland, Oracle, and Patagonia.  

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont weekly unemployment claims for the week ending August 16, 2025, fell slightly and remained within their seasonal norms, after a spike in manufacturing layoffs three weeks ago. New claims were 240 last week, down 38 claims from the week before and up 52 from last year at this time. Claims, which tend to be lowest in the summer, were 181 at the end of September 2024. Meanwhile, the stock market had a positive week at the end as Fed Chair Jerome Powell reinforced the general assumption that the Fed would lower rates modestly in September. But shares shot up after Powell's comments, with new highs for the S&P and NASDAQ, and included the Dow, which had languished below its historic peak from last December.

Vermont Business Magazine North Country Hospital has been awarded a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand telehealth services for patients across the Northeast Kingdom. This major investment will help bring more healthcare options to our rural communities by making it easier for patients to connect with specialists without long waits or long drives.

Public Assets Institute One of President Donald Trump’s main arguments for imposing high tariffs on imported goods is that it will increase U.S. manufacturing jobs. His theory is that companies will relocate to or expand plants in the U.S. to avoid the tariffs.1 That may or may not happen. But manufacturing jobs have been declining for decades—and that decline has been bigger in Vermont than the nation overall. In the last 25 years Vermont has lost nearly 20,000 manufacturing jobs, and manufacturing’s share of private-sector jobs has declined by nearly half. In July 2000, Vermont had 46,200 jobs in manufacturing—more than 18 percent of the state’s private-sector jobs. Last month the state’s 26,900 manufacturing positions accounted for just over 10 percent of jobs offered by private employers. 

The Vermont State Police is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred Thursday night, Aug. 21, 2025, in Springfield. Officers with the Springfield Police Department and members of the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department were on scene when the shooting occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on Valley Street between Common Street and Elm Terrace. No members of law enforcement were injured. The man who was shot was pronounced dead on scene. Following standard protocol, the Vermont State Police is leading the investigation into this incident, including detectives with the Major Crime Unit and Bureau of Criminal Investigations and members of the Crime Scene Search Team. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident is in its initial stages.