Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) proudly joined VHV Company today to celebrate the graduation of seven apprentices from its four-year registered apprenticeship program in the sheet metal and HVAC trades. Held at VHV’s headquarters in Winooski, the ceremony highlighted the growing importance of employer-led training in Vermont’s construction industry and the promise of meaningful career pathways in the skilled trades.

Public Assets Institute Most Vermont workers’ pay has not kept pace with the growth of their output. From 2000 to 2024, productivity—total income generated in the economy per average hour of work—grew 47 percent in Vermont. But compensation—measured by the median hourly wage and benefits for production and nonsupervisory workers—rose by just 34 percent. Vermont is doing better than many other states, and in the early 2000s the growth in Vermonters’ compensation tracked more closely with the growth in productivity. But the gap widened after the Great Recession, which started at the end of 2007. U.S. productivity grew 45 percent from 2000 to 2024, a bit below Vermont’s pace. But nationally, compensation for production and nonsupervisory workers, who make up about 80 percent of the workforce, grew less than half as fast—only 21 percent.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont weekly unemployment claims for the week ending July 19, 2025, remain at seasonally low levels after a spike in late June (648). New claims were 220 last week, up 1 claim from the week before and down 18 from last year at this time. Claims, which tend to be lowest in the summer, were 181 at the end of September 2024. In Vermont for the weekly report, the Service industry accounted for the most claims last week with 59%, up 4 points from the previous week. Construction was 6%, up 3 points. Manufacturing accounted for 9% of claims, down 9 points. For the week, Vermont total unemployment insurance claims were 2,774 (down 222 for the week and up 212 from this time last year). 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Education recognizes the profound impact that the detention of Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria has on the Winooski School District community, as well as on refugee and immigrant communities across Vermont. The Agency remains committed to our belief that all Vermont students and all Vermont educators — regardless of race, ethnicity, or any other aspect of their background — belong in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The first positive results of mosquito testing this year have detected two viruses in the state: West Nile virus in St. Albans and Jamestown Canyon virus in Rutland. This is the first year Vermont is testing for Jamestown Canyon virus, which can cause illness in people similar to other mosquito-borne viruses. There have been no human or animal cases of mosquito-borne illnesses reported so far this season. Health officials are encouraging people in Vermont to protect themselves from mosquito bites and the potentially dangerous diseases they can spread.

Vermont Business Magazine CCTV Center for Media & Democracy will host a 24-hour telethon to highlight local programming and raise money for the CCTV Archives. The telethon will be held from Friday, July 25 at 6 p.m. until Saturday, July 26 at 6 p.m. and will broadcast live on YouTube.com/TownMeetingTV, Comcast Channel 1087, and Burlington Telecom Channel 217. The telethon will feature an online auction, local musical performances, creative acts, community-based talk shows, and other unique programming. Saturday’s programs will be held in collaboration with the annual Old North End Ramble event. Community members are encouraged to join the live studio audience at our accessible studios located at 294 North Winooski Avenue in Burlington.

Vermont Business Magazine President Trump’s White House and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler have appointed Peter A. Steele as Regional Administrator for Region 1 - New England. In this role, Steele represents the Administration, ensures new policies and procedures are being implemented and oversees SBA's day-to-day operations of the six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the City of Burlington held a press conference to officially unveil a 360-foot visual art installation now covering the fence around Memorial Auditorium, which showcases works from ten local artists. The installation is part of a larger initiative by the City of Burlington to address the persistent challenge of tagging on Memorial Auditorium. This initiative, led by Burlington City Arts (BCA) in coordination with the Department of Permitting & Inspections, and with $14,000 in funding from the City Council, aims to beautify the space around one of Burlington’s most treasured landmarks, which is often referred to as the “gateway” to the city.   

Vermont Business Magazine On July 16, 2025, Dr. Arthur S. Kunin, aged 99 years, passed away at his home at the Quarry Hill Residence in South Burlington, Vermont. He was born on August 11, 1925, to Lena Perelman Kunin and Elihu Kunin in Brooklyn, New York. His father, a Kosher butcher in Brooklyn, came to the United States from Belarus when he was a young boy. His mother, born in Burlington, Vermont, from a family of Jewish Lithuanian immigrants, grew up in the Old North End neighborhood known at the time as “Little Jerusalem.”

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.09 per gallon, down 1 cent per gallon from last week, down 7 cents/g from last month and down 37 cents/g from a year ago, according to AAA. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.51/g while the highest was $3.25/g, a difference of 74.0 cents per gallon. Bennington ($2.98/g) and Addison ($3.05/g) counties had the lowest average prices while Essex ($3.20/g), Franklin ($3.19/g) and Grand Isle ($3.19/g) had the highest. The national average price of gasoline is unchanged in the last week, averaging $3.16/g today.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, led Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in introducing the Creating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act, legislation that would exempt United States-owned small businesses from tariffs imposed on Canada.  

Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday, July 16, the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington proudly hosted its 12th Annual Scholarship Presentation, celebrating the achievements of 40 exceptional Club members who are pursuing post-secondary education. More than $100,000 in scholarships were awarded through the Pomerleau Family Foundation, recognizing students for their academic accomplishments and unwavering commitment to their futures. This year’s scholarship recipients will be attending a variety of colleges and trades programs. The event not only honored their hard work and determination, it also served as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of educational support and community investment.