Current News

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. 

Vermont Business Magazine Over 40 Vermont dairy products were honored at the American Cheese Society Judging & Competition, a technical and aesthetic evaluation of American-made cheeses, which takes place in June each year. The winners are then announced and celebrated at the Awards Ceremony held during the ACS Annual Conference. By hosting the Judging & Competition, ACS shines the spotlight on American cheesemakers by showcasing their talents and work as leaders within the industry, both for their excellent cheesemaking and commitment to food safety. The winners are celebrated at the annual conference, this year held in late July in Sacramento, CA.

Vermont Chamber of Commerce The Vermont Economic Action Plan is more than a vision — it’s a call to action. That’s why the Vermont Futures Project and Vermont Chamber of Commerce are hosting the 2025 Vermont Solutions Summit on September 18 at the scenic Hotel Champlain in Burlington. This action-focused event will unite leaders from business, government, and communities to address Vermont’s most pressing challenges through the People, Places, and Policy framework. With dynamic discussions, deep-dive sessions, and a closing keynote moderated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Summit is designed to spark innovative solutions and partnerships for a resilient, thriving Vermont.

Vermont State Police Friday at approximately 10:13 am, the Vermont State Police responded to a report of a one-vehicle rollover crash on VT RT 100 in the Town of Lowell, just south from the Westfield town line. Investigation revealed Jason Metras, 47, of Troy, VT, was traveling north on VT RT 100 when he failed to maintain his lane of travel, traveled across the southbound lane of travel, and veered off the left side of the roadway where the vehicle rolled and came to rest in a field. Metras was unrestrained at the time of the collision, was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont weekly unemployment claims for the week ending August 9, 2025, increased by held within their usual season norms after a spike in manufacturing layoffs two weeks ago. New claims were 278 last week, up 27 claims from the week before and up 15 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 along with relatively good and bad inflation news. Shares fell steeply August 1 after a lackluster July jobs report but then bounced back with new highs this week for the S&P and NASDAQ as consumer inflation rose slightly, but less than expected. The Dow also eclipsed its historic peak from last December but then it fell back by close.

Vermont Business Magazine Friday, August 15, 2025 marks the 4-year anniversary of the collapse of the Afghan government and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Taliban entered Kabul and took over the Afghan government on August 15, 2021. According to a report issued by the U.S. Department of State an estimated 125,000 civilians were evacuated from Afghanistan in August of 2021. This was the largest civilian airlift in U.S. history. Although reports vary, it is estimated that 78,000 Afghans who worked for the U.S. and had applied for special immigrant visas were left behind. This figure does not include those who had not yet applied, or their family members. Others estimate the number is closer to 145,000. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has ordered flags to be lowered this weekend in honor of former Governor Thomas P. Salmon, who passed away on January 14 of this year. Governor Salmon was first elected in 1972 and served until January of 1977.  He previously served four terms in the House of Representatives. His family and friends will celebrate his life this weekend.

Vermont Business Magazine On the 90th Anniversary of the Social Security Act (signed into law August 14, 1935, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt), U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) joined legislation led by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to reverse the disastrous cuts the Trump administration has made to the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act would prevent Social Security field offices from shutting down, make it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to apply for the benefits they have earned over the phone and provide the resources the SSA needs to approve earned benefits quickly.  

Vermont Business Magazine A federal grand jury in the District of Vermont returned a four-count superseding indictment today charging Teresa Youngblut, 21, of Seattle, with the murder of a Border Patrol agent, the assault of two additional agents with a deadly weapon, and related firearms offenses. According to court documents, on the afternoon of Jan. 20. a U.S. Border Patrol agent conducted a traffic stop of a Toyota Prius on Interstate 91 in Coventry, Vermont. Youngblut and a male German citizen – whose immigration status was in question – were in the car. Court documents allege that during the Jan. 20 vehicle stop, both Youngblut and her companion were armed. Youngblut exited the vehicle and, without warning, opened fire, resulting in the death of one of the agents.