Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Oliver Parini, a Vermont-based commercial and editorial photographer, has launched Distant Dawn, an online photography gallery in Weybridge. The gallery works with photographers who haven't pursued the traditional fine-art gallery path, connecting them with a larger audience of people online who are looking to own approachable, authentic art for their homes. The gallery, which launched May 4, features twelve photographers from across the world, including three from Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Nut Free Chocolates is meeting the demand of a new generation of snackers who crave daily sweet treats and clean ingredients. ​The Vermont-based chocolate company’s launch of its new Caramel Cups, an everyday indulgence made with real chocolate and smooth caramel, is part of the brand’s commitment to ingredient-conscious shoppers. New research confirms a shift in snacking expectations: Gen Z and the parents of Gen Alpha expect real ingredients and clean formulations. ​Vermont Nut Free Chocolates' new Caramel Cups meet that standard directly: no artificial colors or flavors, no vegetable oil substitutes, 100% nut-free, school safe, and Kosher Dairy Certified. ​

Vermont Business Magazine Few landmarks are regarded for their quintessential New England riverscapes and nostalgia as the local flour factory affectionately known as the grist mill. They came in all shapes and sizes using an endless array of hydro-power methods at pennies per pound. Today, the penny is so devalued, it has been discontinued. But the love for the Old Mill has never faded, generation to generation. Think Hardy Boys - The Secret of the Old Mill, the third book in the beloved series under the author ship of Franklin W. Dixon. Rutland county and the Okemo Mountain region is today home to arguably the most legendary, one-of-a- kind and completely original grist mill complexes in the nation. The Kingsley Grist Mill National Historic Site in North Clarendonis the only Mill ever designed and built by the master covered bridge prodigy Nichols Montgomery Powers.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont initial weekly unemployment claims decreased by more than 400 last week after a seasonal spike last week. For the week ending May 2, 2026, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that there were 355 new claims, down 404 from the previous week and down 25 from last year at this time. New claims had leveled off at under 400 after the holiday season. The end of the winter tourism season typically brings a flurry of layoffs. Meanwhile, total claims this week were 3,737, down 95 from the week before and up 62 from last year at this time. Nationally, stocks generally were up by the end of the week on a strong jobs report after recent wild swings depending on news from the Middle East. The future of oil prices remains uncertain but gasoline prices reached four-year highs of over $4.50 this week.

Vermont Business Magazine A federal court order is invalidating President Trump’s latest efforts to impose illegal tariffs on products purchased by American consumers and businesses. U.S. Court of International Trade on Thursday granted summary judgment to a coalition of 24 states, including Vermont, striking down those tariffs. For more than a year, President Trump has unlawfully attempted to impose tariffs on essential goods purchased by American consumers and businesses. Initially, the President invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act—but the Supreme Court ruled those tariffs were unlawful. The President then attempted to use a different law that has never been used before—Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974—and imposed 10 percent tariffs on most products worldwide, supposedly in response to trade deficits.

Vermont Business Magazine National Nurses Week kicked off on Wednesday, marking a week-long, annual recognition of the dedication and contributions of nurses. Essential to the profession is the education pipeline that trains and prepares nurses with the skills and knowledge they need to enter the field. Each year, Vermont State University graduates hundreds of nurses who go on to make a measurable difference in the lives of their patients and communities. Over 80% of those graduates license to practice right here in Vermont.

by Mike Donoghue A Massachusetts man, wanted for a murder charge in his home state from last month, was arrested in North Springfield, Vermont, by federal, state and local law enforcement officials from two states on Thursday. The U.S. Marshals Service in Vermont and Massachusetts said Daniel Medina, 22, who has a documented history of firearm related offenses, was apprehended about 3 p.m.

Vermont Business Magazine More than 840 people gathered for the 2026 Better Building by Design (BBD) conference this week, the region’s premier design and construction conference held each year by Efficiency Vermont. Ten organizations were honored with “Best of the Best” awards for leadership and innovative projects, including the event’s first-ever award recognizing a workforce development program. Architects, designers, builders, contractors, and more from across the northeast gathered at the DoubleTree Hotel & Conference Center in South Burlington from May 6-7. The theme for this year’s event was “Tight Margins, Bold Moves: Building for Affordability, Efficiency, and Electrification.” 

Vermont Business Magazine Saint Michael’s College will hold its 119th Commencement ceremony on May 10, 2026, in celebration of graduates in the Class of 2026. The graduates, faculty, and administration will process through campus about 10 to 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony, led by bagpipers from Matthew Brouard Music. The ceremony will then begin promptly at 10 a.m. in the Ross Sports Center. More than 300 students will receive bachelor’s and master’s degrees or recognition for completing a graduate certificate program during the ceremony. The graduates represent approximately 27 states or U.S. territories and 11 countries.

Vermont Business Magazine Maple Broadband has announced Nonprofit Connect, a new program offering all 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Maple Broadband’s service area in Addison County access to Gigabit fiber internet at the provider's most accessible price point. Through Nonprofit Connect, qualifying nonprofits receive Maple Broadband's Amber Bold fiber internet package at the Amber Light rate of $69.95 per month, a savings of $50.00 per month. The program includes all standard Maple Broadband benefits: no contracts, no data caps, no promotional pricing that increases later, and free equipment.

Vermont Business Magazine StandardAero (NYSE: SARO), a leading independent pure-play provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services including engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and engine component repair, today announced it has acquired Unified Turbines, LLC (Unified Turbines) in an all-cash transaction. Unified Turbines represents StandardAero’s 14th acquisition since 2015 and eighth acquisition in its Component Repair Services (CRS) segment. Founded in 1997 and operating out of its facility in Milton, VT, Unified Turbines is an FAA Repair Station. The company provides hot section component repair and overhaul services for a range of Pratt & Whitney and Honeywell engines.

Vermont Business Magazine ATTOM, the leading provider of property data, AI-powered analytics, and real estate intelligence solutions, today released its first quarter 2026 U.S. Home Equity & Underwater Report, which shows that 43.3 percent of mortgaged residential properties in the country were equity-rich, meaning the combined estimated amount of loan balances secured by those properties was no more than half of their estimated market value. Vermont had the highest percent of equity rich homes, nearly 30 percent higher than second place New Hampshire. The states with the highest shares of equity rich homes in the first quarter of 2026 were Vermont (85.7 percent), New Hampshire (58.1 percent), Montana (57.7 percent), Rhode Island (57.2 percent), and Hawaii (55.8 percent).