Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont initial weekly unemployment claims increased by more than 300 last week to their second highest total this year. For the week ending April 25, 2026, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that there were 759 new claims, up 348 from the previous week but down 19 from last year at this time. New claims had leveled off at under 400 after the holiday season, other than one spike in February. The end of the winter tourism season typically brings a flurry of layoffs. Meanwhile, the stock market was generally positive this week, and news from the Middle East was generally quieter.

Vermont Business Magazine Airport leaders, pilots, aviation businesses, educators, students, and community partners from across Vermont gathered at the State House in Montpelier this week for Aviation Day, a statewide effort to share information and build awareness around the role aviation plays in communities throughout Vermont. Participants from airports across the state spent the day meeting with legislators, offering presentations, and engaging in informal conversations about how aviation supports a range of everyday needs. Discussions included topics such as emergency response, medical transport, education and workforce development, tourism, and general transportation access.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, today announced the delivery of more than $1 million in federal funding, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Rural Development (RD), to support Vermont farmers and small businesses. This announcement follows a months-long effort by the senator and partners to release the federal funds.  The funding, provided through USDA-RD’s Rural Business Development Grants, will support eight projects in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom (NEK) and deliver technical assistance and counseling to small businesses, farmers, and agricultural producers, in addition to creating 120 new jobs.

Northeastern Vermont Development Association NVDA's planning staff is working diligently to move the 2026 Regional Plan forward through the mandatory adoption process. For the past eight months our planners gathered feedback from widespread community outreach, conducted extensive data research, followed standards for mapping land uses, carefully prepared a thorough inventory of the region's mapping data, and worked to comply with statutory obligations. Every Planning Commission in the state must consider state regulatory changes to reflect statewide planning goals that coordinate state, regional and municipal land use in the counties and communities they serve.

by Peter A. Steele The U.S. Small Business Administration is celebrating its “Superbowl” for our small businesses this week with the SBA’s annual National Small Business Week ceremonies, which acknowledge and honor the indispensable contributions of America’s entrepreneurs—just as we’ve done every year for more than 60 years. But this year is even more special, as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, known as Freedom 250. Our Founding Fathers laid the groundwork for the freedom and liberty that still powers the engine of free enterprise. The result is our nation’s prosperity and entrepreneurial spirit – the very spirit exemplified by our small businesses here in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Big Change Roundup for Kids (BCRU), radio station 98.9 WOKO’s annual campaign supporting the family-centered care delivered every day at Golisano Children’s Hospital at UVM Health hosted an emotional finale event on Friday, bringing together volunteers, businesses, and individual donors to raise $319,693 that will directly support pediatric patients and families.

Northeastern Vermont Development Association Stretch Code, HERS Raters, and Municipalities: Learning from Massachusetts May 11, 12-1pm (online) Vermont currently lacks any formal residential energy code enforcement mechanism, relying instead on self-reported compliance on behalf of builders and contractors. Studies have shown compliance rates declining over the last few code cycles. In response to this, the EAN Municipal Energy Code Collaborative is exploring ways in which interested municipalities might be able to administer and enforce Vermont’s Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES).

Vermont Business Magazine Blend Labs, Inc (NYSE: BLND), a leading digital origination platform for banks, credit unions, and mortgage lenders, is announcing a new partnership with Northfield Savings Bank, a mutually owned community bank headquartered in Vermont. Northfield Savings Bank has selected Blend's Mortgage and Home Equity solutions to modernize its lending operations, enabling its team to scale loan volume efficiently while delivering a standout experience for customers.

Vermont Business Magazine Nedde Real Estate has announced the sale of 200 Commerce Street, Williston, VT to Level 77 Holdings, LLC, Fernando Cresta represented the Seller HNH Holdings, LLC and Isaiah Donaldson from Keller Williams Vermont represented the buyer. Also, Nedde has announced the lease of 2,505 Square feet of flex space at 1889 Williston Road, South Burlington to Aquatic Massage Therapy. Fernando Cresta assisted the tenant and landlord Cresta Nedde 2, LLC. And Nedde has announced that Agri-Mark, Inc. has renew their lease of 22,377 Square feet of refrigerated warehouse space at 784 Hercules Dr., Colchester, Fernando Cresta and Jaeger Nedde assisted the tenant and the landlord. More.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, released the following statement on the passage of the House Farm Bill: “We have been clear that the Farm Bill must address the needs of American farmers and families. With a five-year high in small farm bankruptcies, the Farm Bill must address rising input costs, provide new opportunities for domestic markets, and fight for a trade agenda that works for everyone. Senate Democrats are committed to ensuring all states are treated equally by delaying the new SNAP cost shifts and addressing the needs of farm country."

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Speaker Jill Krowinski made the following statement on the House passage of S.298, an act relating to creating the Vermont Voter Protections Act. The bill had previously passed the Senate in a 28-0 roll call vote. “Today, the House of Representatives voted to pass S.298, which creates the Vermont Voting Rights Act,” said Speaker Krowinski. “This bill comes at a crucial moment. Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision that further weakens the Voting Rights Act - another example of voting rights coming under attack in this country. While other states are working to make access to voting more difficult, Vermont is continuing to lead the way in making voting more accessible, secure, free, and fair.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has released a new analysis of tax proposals currently under discussion in the House Ways and Means Committee that would increase taxes on income, investment gains, and total earnings above certain thresholds. The report finds that, in Vermont’s economy, the proposal would extend beyond high income households and into the operations of many locally owned businesses. In an environment where business owners are navigating a range of operational and ownership decisions, the analysis highlights how these changes could influence reinvestment, hiring, and long-term business stability.