Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF), in collaboration with Efficiency Vermont and Vermont Gas Systems, announces the graduation of the inaugural cohort of Tools of the Trade– Business Fundamentals for Energy Pros, a business coaching program designed to support weatherization and clean energy contractors across the state. The program offered participants practical training in business fundamentals tailored to weatherization contractors, energy audit businesses, electrician firms, and builders who specialize in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Monthly in-person sessions, one-on-one coaching, and peer learning helped contractors strengthen skills in workforce recruitment and retention, financial management, operations, customer engagement, and leadership. The program was made possible through funding from the State of Vermont, Efficiency Vermont, and Vermont Gas Systems.

Vermont Business Magazine ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property data, and real estate analytics, today released its third-quarter 2025 Vacant Property and Zombie Foreclosure Report showing that 1.4 million (1,385,902) residential properties, about 1.3 percent of all homes in the United States, are vacant. The national vacancy rate has been consistent for three-and-a-half years as the nation has experienced a high-demand housing market. New Hampshire had the lowest vacancy rate and Vermont was second lowest. Meanwhile, for the first half of 2025, Vermont also had the second lowest foreclosure rate, behind only South Dakota.

Vermont Business Magazine Treasurer Mike Pieciak today joined 16 state financial leaders from across the country in calling on leading asset managers to uphold their fiduciary duty by fully considering climate risk in investment decisions. The letter from Treasurer Pieciak and colleagues stands in clear contrast to a letter released last month by the State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF), a right-wing association of state financial officers. SFOF urged asset managers to scale back proxy voting, oversight of corporate behavior, and consideration of issues like climate change in investment strategies. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Lottery and the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) expect Saturday’s (8/23) Powerball jackpot to hit $700 million, the largest advertised jackpot in more than a year and the 11th largest Powerball jackpot ever. During this jackpot run, more than 50 tickets have won $1 million or more, and 483 tickets have won $50,000 or more.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.09 per gallon, unchanged from last week, down 1 cent/g from last month and down 30 cents/g from last week. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.71/g while the highest was $3.25/g, a difference of 54.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline is down 3 cents/g in the last week, averaging $3.13/g today. The national average is down 1 cent/g from a month ago and stands 26 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine Nearly two years after historic rainfall triggered a landslide that closed a section of the West River Trail at Jamaica State Park, the trail is once again open to public use. While the trail is passable, visitors are urged to be aware of their surroundings: the slope is still adjusting, and conditions may change, especially during or after heavy rain. Historic rainfall in July 2023 brought more than five inches of rain to Jamaica over just two days. The runoff overwhelmed the steep, rocky soils along the West River and caused a significant landslide that took out a portion of the 3.1-mile trail. Since then, the site has remained under close observation by the Vermont Geological Survey (VGS) and Vermont State Parks staff.

Vermont Business Magazine This Labor Day Weekend, experienced anglers have a special chance to share the joy of fishing. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is asking anyone who regularly spends time on the water to consider taking out a friend or family member in celebration of Vermont’s first ever “Free Mentored Fishing Weekend.” The new annual opportunity was approved this past June as part of Act 47, a package of updates to the state’s fish and wildlife laws. This opportunity allows a licensed angler to take up to four unlicensed anglers aged 15 years or older to fish for free from Saturday, August 30, through Monday, September 1. Kids under 15 years old can already fish for free in Vermont.  Free Mentored Fishing Weekend gives adults who have never fished, or have not fished since childhood, an easy and welcoming way to try the sport.

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First The U.S. Marshals in Vermont issued a warning Wednesday to local residents to be aware of several imposter scams involving individuals claiming to be U.S. marshals, court officers, or other law enforcement officials in an effort to try to collect a court fine. Acting Chief Deputy John Curtis said Wednesday the Vermont office received complaints from three people in the past two days trying to get people to turn over money to the scammers. The scammers say they are willing to collect a fine in lieu of making an arrest for failing to report for jury duty or other offenses. The scammers then tell victims they can avoid arrest by purchasing a prepaid debit card such as a Green Dot card or gift card.  They are asked to read the card number over the phone to satisfy the fine. 

Vermont Business Magazine Downstreet Housing & Community Development and the Central Vermont Refugee Action Network (CVRAN) today celebrated the opening of Randall Apartments, a newly renovated building providing four permanently affordable homes for New American families in Montpelier. The project marks an important step toward expanding safe, stable housing opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers in Central Vermont. The journey to transform the project into a welcoming home for families seeking refuge began with a shared vision of creating inclusive communities where everyone has access to safe and affordable housing. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) announced today that Otter Creek Communications Union District (Rutland region) has completed its universal service plan having constructed fiber optic broadband to 3,626 addresses, including 1,278 previously unserved addresses. The work happened in partnership with Consolidated Communications/Fidium and in agreement with GoNetSpeed. The project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget with $2.99 million remaining that will be used to address affordability across the state.

The Vermont State Police arrested a suspect in connection with the killing of Tina Daigle earlier this summer in central Vermont. Detectives on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 19, 2025, took into custody Michael A. Williams, 60, of Morrisville. Investigation determined that Daigle was killed in Caledonia County early June 19, and her body was then left by the side of Vermont Route 14 in Woodbury. Williams is facing charges of second-degree murder and first-degree aggravated domestic assault. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in St. Johnsbury. He was ordered jailed without bail pending his initial court appearance.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) has awarded two grants to the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) to expand access to workforce training and career development for Vermont youth. The first grant, totaling $20,726, supports a summer employment and training program for 10 New American youth from Winooski and Burlington. The participants, ages 15–18, are English language learners interested in service positions focused on conservation and agriculture projects. This initiative provides weekly stipends and hands-on training in sustainable agriculture.