Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont is $3.11 per gallon, up 2 cents per gallon from last week, down 1 cent/g from last month and down 31 cents from last year. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.89/g while the highest was $3.39/g, a difference of 50.0 cents per gallon. Prices were lowest in Bennington ($2.99/g) and Rutland ($3.04/g) counties and highest in Lamoille ($3.25/g), Franklin ($3.24/g) and Essex ($3.22/g), according to AAA. The national average price of gasoline has risen 2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.16/g today. The national average is up 2 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 29 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday, a community tradition returned to Burlington for its 45th year, the annual Sidewalk Sale on the Church Street Marketplace. This five-day summertime shopping celebration features unbeatable deals from over 30 local retailers, with discounts ranging from 20% to 80% off at boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. From stylish clothing and home goods to gifts and gourmet treats, there's something for everyone. Embrace the perfect summer weather this week and shop incredible deals and dine outside on the Marketplace.   

Vermont Business Magazine In July, Treasurer Pieciak announced the availability of an additional $20 million for public investment in housing and economic development through the 10% in VT program. Today, he reminded Vermonters that the application deadline for local investment proposals is Friday, August 8. The 10% in VT program invests up to 10% of the state’s average daily cash balance into projects that grow Vermont’s economy and strengthen the State’s revenues. The State’s average daily cash balance has grown substantially in recent years, enabling Treasurer Pieciak to expand the program’s lending capacity. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) has a new program to help Vermonters afford to get connected to broadband. The Affordable Long Drop Program will provide grants to eligible providers to cover connection costs for long or nonstandard drops, including underground installations. Providers currently pay costs that exceed routine installation fees to connect addresses that are considered standard drops. Those are for houses that are closer than 500-2,000 feet from the fiber that runs along utility poles on the road, depending on the provider. Customers are required to pay additional costs to connect their homes if they’re farther from the road. That cost can be up to many thousands of dollars, making getting connected to broadband impossible for some Vermonters. 

Vermont State Police In June 2025 the Vermont State Police began an investigation into Jeremy Bogie for sexual assault of a minor that occurred between the years of 2004 and 2007. The investigation revealed that Bogie sexually assaulted a female from when the female was age 10 to12 years old that he knew, several times during these years. Based on the information learned, the Vermont State Police arrested Bogie on 8/6/25 on a charge of aggravated sexual assault with a child.

Vermont Business Magazine Thursday, August 7, marks ten years since the untimely passing of Lara Sobel, a DCF Family Services Worker killed in the line of duty. Lara was far more than a dedicated DCF employee, and her roles extended far beyond her professional life — she was a mother, daughter, sister, wife, and friend whose warmth and dedication touched many lives. Today, ten years later, the profound impact of her life and her passing is still felt throughout DCF. Every year, DCF presents the Lara Sobel Social Justice Award, recognizing Department employees committed to empowering families and ensuring equitable access to resources. The award celebrates those who approach each interaction with individuals and families as an opportunity for growth, prioritized collaboration, and continued support for the causes important to the Vermonters they serve.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) has finalized the Long Range Management Plan (LRMP) for the Castleton Management Unit (CMU). Located six miles west of the City of Rutland, the CMU spans the towns of Castleton, Poultney, and Ira. It consists of 4,725 acres split between two Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) owned and managed for wildlife habitat and public access by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department in collaboration with the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

Vermont Business Magazine As businesses in Vermont continue to face rising costs and economic uncertainties, Efficiency Vermont is stepping up with additional support. For a limited time, business can double their custom incentive for energy efficiency projects. That means up to an additional $25,000 bonus for businesses, nonprofits, farm operations, and institutions that complete projects by November 2026. Efficiency Vermont’s custom rebates are tailored to each business’s needs, ensuring the most efficient equipment and process improvements are implemented for each project. For a limited time, businesses, nonprofits, farm operations and other organizations can double their custom incentive, for up to $25,000 in additional cash for their project.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF), in collaboration with Efficiency Vermont and its Efficiency Excellence Network, is excited to announce that applications are now open for the next cohort of Tools of the Trade – Business Coaching for Energy Pros [link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com]. This nine-month, in-person business training program is designed to help Vermont weatherization and clean energy contractors strengthen and grow their businesses. The program begins Oct. 20 and runs through June 2026. Applications are due by Sept. 12, and selected businesses will be notified by Sept. 26. Participants will learn how to recruit and retain workers, manage finances, improve operations, identify and reach ideal customers, and build a strong company culture.

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc (NASDAQ: CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company, today announced that John W. Casella, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, will transition from Chief Executive Officer to Executive Chairman of the Board, effective January 1, 2026. Edmond R. “Ned” Coletta, currently the Company’s President, will succeed Mr. Casella as CEO and will join the Board as a Class II director effective on the same date. As Executive Chairman, Mr. Casella will continue to serve as Chair of the Board and, in collaboration with the CEO, support the Company’s strategic development, stakeholder engagement and organizational culture.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Berlin community celebrated the grand opening of Fox Run Apartments with a ribbon cutting celebration. Downstreet and Evernorth, the co-owners and co-developers, partnered to develop Fox Run Apartments to provide essential housing for 30 low- and moderate-income households in Berlin. Fox Run Apartments is a single three-story building with a mix of affordable and market rate apartments ideally situated in the heart of the Berlin Commons New Town Center. Located within walking distance to area employers, schools, and essential services, the new building provides residents with green space, community gardens, an onsite office for resident services and property management, and a community room.

Vermont Business Magazine Robert Paolini, Esq, executive director of the Vermont Bar Association, has announced his intention to retire later this year. This will actually be Bob’s second retirement from the post. After practicing law in the Montpelier-Barre area and serving two terms in the Vermont House of Representatives. Bob first became Executive Director of the VBA in February 1996. He served in that role for 20 years, “retiring” in June 2016. He moved on to his own lobbying and consulting business but was called back to the VBA as interim director in July 2022.