Current News

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First, Vermont Business Magazine A Migrant Justice leader in Burlington, who was detained by the U.S. Border Patrol in Richford last month, is part of an ongoing criminal investigation into smuggling undocumented immigrants into Northern Vermont, according to newly filed records in federal court. Migrant Justice had claimed Jose Ignacio “Nacho” De La Cruz, 29, of Milton, along with his stepdaughter, Heidi Perez Alfaro, 18, a recent Milton High graduate, had been delivering meals to farm workers in Richford when they were stopped about noon June 14 by the Border Patrol. Now a sworn affidavit from a veteran Border Patrol Agent elaborates on the legal justification, including De La Cruz being linked to possible smuggling efforts. The 18-page affidavit includes details about an incident that netted six arrests in Richford in April by the Border Patrol.

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 June 30, 2025. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.  NOTE: Most construction projects will pause work for the Fourth of July holiday weekend and resume on Monday 7/7. 

Vermont Business Magazine On June 28, over 30 Vermont-based homelessness prevention and response organizations issued an urgent appeal to Governor Phil Scott, calling for immediate and decisive action to address a looming crisis facing nearly 1,000 vulnerable Vermonters at risk of losing emergency shelter by July 1. As of this morning, there has been no substantive response from the governor. The organizations warn that Vermont's current shelter infrastructure is already overwhelmed and lacks the capacity to absorb those being forced out of the state’s General Assistance Emergency Housing Program (GA Program), which was made clear on June 27 when the state released information clarifying the scope of the crisis facing our state. According to this newly available data, 478 highly vulnerable households, including 666 adults and 304 children will lose their shelter by July 1. Without intervention, many families, seniors, and medically vulnerable residents will be left with nowhere safe to go.

Vermont Business Magazine It’s the time of year to start checking Vermont’s waters for cyanobacteria blooms before you swim, play, or bring your pets, so you can have fun in the water safely. Cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) are tiny microorganisms that are a natural part of freshwater ecosystems. Under certain conditions, the bacteria can grow and create blooms that float on the water’s surface and wash up along shorelines, posing health risks to humans and animals. The blooms can produce harmful toxins, so if you see them, it’s best to stay out of the water. Swimming or wading in water with a cyanobacteria bloom may cause skin rashes, diarrhea, a sore throat, stomach problems, or more serious health concerns.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.13 per gallon, down 0.9 cents per gallon from last week's $3.13/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.47/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 82.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.14/g today. The national average is up 1.1 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 32.1 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine Dairy processors can now apply for the Dairy Processor Modernization Grant. This $1 million investment aims to strengthen Northeast processing capabilities and respond to consumer demand for regional dairy products. Offered through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), this funding will allow dairy processors to purchase specialized equipment to expand capacity, boost efficiency, lower energy consumption, improve existing products, and create new, high-value dairy products for the region. Grants will range from $15,000 to $250,000 with a 25% (cash or in-kind) match commitment required. Approximately $1,000,000 in total funds are available.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont weekly unemployment claims for the week ending June 21, 2025, more than doubled last week. New claims were 648, up 343 claims from the week before but down 302 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 50%, down 7 points from the previous week. Construction was 2%, unchanged. Manufacturing accounted for 28% of claims, down 20 points. For the week, Vermont total unemployment insurance claims were 3,028 (up 292 for the week and up 100 from this time last year). 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) today gave remarks on the floor of the Senate opposing President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill" which is a gift to the billionaire class while causing massive pain for working families. M. President: President Trump’s so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill,” now on the floor of the Senate, is the most dangerous piece of legislation in the modern history of our country. It is a gift to the billionaire class, while causing massive pain for low income and working class Americans. Actually though, M. President, I’m wrong. This is not a gift to the billionaire class. They paid for it.

Vermont Business Magazine Burke Mountain Resort’s new ownership has partnered with the Institute for Energy and the Environment (IEE) at Vermont Law and Graduate School to reduce its high energy costs and explore sustainable solutions. After nearly a decade of operating in receivership, Burke Mountain Resort is ready for a dynamic revival that will reinvigorate the local economy and renew the cherished local mountain’s role as a major regional employer and tourist destination. Through this collaboration, the IEE will deliver policy and legal services focused on cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy integration.

Vermont Business Magazine Hundreds of business-minded community members gathered at Hula to support LaunchVT’s 2025 cohort at Demo Night, the program’s annual pitch competition and celebration of entrepreneurship. The 2025 cohort presented their startups to the audience and a panel of investor judges, including Byron Batres, Louisa Schibli, and Tim Wall. Two businesses walked away with cash awards, and all will receive professional services from local businesses worth tens of thousands of dollars. Demo Night marks the end of LaunchVT’s annual twelve-week intensive accelerator program, where entrepreneurs in the cohort work with dedicated business coaches and strategic advisors to address their startup’s most pressing needs, including refining their business models, developing their go-to-market strategies, and preparing for future fundraising and investment.  

Vermont Business Magazine John W. Danforth Company, one of the largest mechanical contractors in the northeast, is establishing an official presence in Vermont, with the opening of a new office in Williston. The office is Danforth’s sixth regional office and its first in Vermont. Located at 20 Clif’s Court, Danforth’s office features 3,000 square feet of professional office space and a 7,600-square-foot pipe fabrication shop. The company aims to employ 10-15 office personnel, including operations, sales estimating and service professionals. In addition, Danforth estimates having 40-60 field workers, including both piping and sheet metal workers, based on workload.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State University (VTSU) Provost Nolan Atkins will retire at the end of the next academic year, the university announced today. His retirement comes after a nearly 30-year career in higher education, including nearly two decades of commitment and service to Vermont State University and its legacy institutions. Dr. Atkins will remain on as a consultant following the 2026 academic year to assist the University in its continuing accreditation work. Dr. Atkins’ career includes twenty years at the former Lyndon State College, where he served as a faculty member, chair of the atmospheric science department, interim academic dean, and interim president. He was an invaluable contributor to the unification of Lyndon State College and Johnson State College in 2016, playing a key role as provost of what was then Northern Vermont University.