Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s efforts to unlawfully impose immigration enforcement requirements on over $1 billion dollars in annual U.S. Department of Justice Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants. These grants are unrelated to federal civil immigration enforcement and are used by states to protect public safety and provide critical resources and services to victims and survivors of crime, including victims of domestic violence. In the lawsuit filed today, the coalition argues that imposing this new set of conditions across VOCA grant programs is arbitrary and capricious, exceeds U.S. DOJ’s legal authority, and violates the Spending Clause.  

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.07 per gallon, down 0.8 cents per gallon from last week's $3.08/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday 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 unchanged in the last week, averaging $3.09/g today. 

Vermont Business Magazine ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain has unveiled a new permanent exhibit that dives into the science and history of Vermont’s most iconic legend in Champ: America’s Lake Monster. ECHO’s exhibits team has been working on this project for over a year, and we're excited to finally share it. The exhibit allows guests to investigate hundreds of years of reported sightings, delve into the science and history of incredible creatures both real and unproven, and imagine their version of the Lake Champlain Monster. Through three levels of hands-on interactives, local history, a life-sized sculpture, and real-world science, America’s Lake Monster invites guests to dive deep into the legends and lore of Lake Champlain and find their answer to the age-old question: Do you believe in Champ? 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Secretary of Administration Sarah Clark today released Vermont’s revenue results for July 2025, which showed a generally positive result. The vital Personal Income tax had another good month and exceeded its target by 16.4%. The PI is the best indicator of the overall economy. The Corporate Income tax, which tends to be more volatile, was up nearly 35%. On the downside was the Meals & Rooms tax, which has struggled for over a year. It missed its targets again, off 5.5% for the Education Fund portion.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Did you know that a private pesticide applicator certification is required to use Class A pesticides in Vermont? These pesticides are utilized across Vermont's farming sectors—dairy, vegetables, berries, apples, grapes, nursery stock, Christmas trees, and more. Check the list of Class A pesticides to see if this includes you. To become certified, you must pass the Private CORE exam and study the federal Worker Protection Standard (WPS). This certification costs $25, and the certification remains valid for five years. The PHARM Division of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets has resources to help you understand certification and test requirements and schedule an exam. 

by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine Addison County’s economy is not always immediately apparent. This was one of the first observations Alex Armani-Munn made upon taking the helm of the Addison County Economic Development Corp. in February. “When you drive around Addison County,“ Armani-Munn said in a recent interview, “you see a lot of these nondescript buildings that really wouldn’t catch your attention.“ However, behind the doors of these seemingly ordinary structures — windowless corrugated metal buildings, former garages or buildings that resemble grain storage — thrive various enterprises, including woodworkers, machinists and manufacturers.

Vermont Business Magazine Danforth Pewter is celebrating its golden anniversary, marking a significant milestone in craftsmanship and tradition. For 50 years, Danforth has been dedicated to creating exceptional, handcrafted pewter gifts, jewelry, ornaments and home décor, all meticulously made by talented artisans. To commemorate this occasion, a series of monthly giveaways will be held throughout 2025, culminating in a grand prize: a fully paid trip for two to scenic Vermont. Visitors and media are invited to Danforth Pewter’s workshop in Middlebury for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at its artistry and tradition. Danforth Pewter’s commitment to art, tradition and community continues to be a guiding force. Celebrating 50 remarkable years, the company looks forward to many more years of craftsmanship and excellence.

Vermont Business Magazine This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will affect traffic on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont for the week of August 18, 2025. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.  Washington, VT 110 Bridge #15 Replacement Project – VT 110 between Pray Road and Poor Farm Road at Bridge #15 over an unnamed brook is closed for approximately three weeks to perform the bridge replacement. The contractor will be setting the precast concrete structure next week, weather permitting. Traffic is detoured onto VT 14 for the duration of the 23-day closure. Motorists are advised to adhere to all posted signage for detour routes.  

Vermont Business Magazine Vermonters, it’s time to get amped up for a new brew from Lawson’s Finest Liquids! Hop Wired Hazy IPA (6.8% ABV) is now live, exclusively in Vermont. Hop Wired IPA delivers an electrifying full-sensory experience with a cloud-like mouthfeel, crisp character, and a burst of juicy citrus and tropical fruit hop flavors and aromas. This hazy IPA satisfies that deep down, can’t get enough hop sensation. Hazy beer lovers can find Hop Wired IPA at Lawson’s Finest’s destination taproom in Waitsfield, and at select retailers and bars across the state on draft and in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans.

Vermont Business Magazine Saint Michael's College in Colchester has reported recent updates to its undergraduate business education within the School of Business and Technology. One of the most compelling reasons for further building these programs is to ensure that Vermont can retain skilled talent – a shared goal for both the state and the college. The Business Administration major has traditionally been one of the most popular programs at Saint Michael’s College. The program is designed to prepare students to successfully navigate the complexities of contemporary organizations, balancing both theory and practice. Students broaden their perspectives by completing a second major or minor, including in Finance or Accounting, and by completing an internship or organizational consulting course. 

Vermont Business Magazine A new study by Hennessey Digital has identified Wyoming as the U.S. state with the highest concentration of billionaires relative to its population, with nearly 12 billionaires per million residents. Vermont is credited with having one billionaire. John Abele, co-founder of Boston Scientific, lives in Shelburne with a net worth of $2 billion, according to Forbes. He is ranked by Forbes as number 1,763 on this year's worldwide list. The analysis examined the geographic distribution of America's billionaires across all 50 states, revealing striking patterns in where the ultra-wealthy choose to live and highlighting significant regional disparities in billionaire density. 

Vermont Business Magazine Jasper Hill Farm took home 8 Best of Class wins, including the 1st Runner-up Best of Show Award for Withersbrook Blue, along with five other top three Best of Class placements. This represents an 80% win rate for cheeses entered by Jasper Hill. Notably, Alpha Tolman, the farm’s Alpine Style made with natural cultures, was cited as the Highest Scoring Raw Milk Cheese in the competition. Three of their other raw milk cheeses were named among the top ten cheeses in the competition—Bayley Hazen Blue, Withersbrook Blue and a collaborative cheese, Barnstorm Blue, which is cave-finished and exclusively sold by Murray’s Cheese.