Current News

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. 

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.