Current News

Vermont Business Magazine ISO New England announced today that President and CEO Gordon van Welie will retire from the company effective Jan. 1, 2026.  The ISO’s Board of Directors has selected Dr. Vamsi Chadalavada, currently serving as the ISO’s chief operating officer, as van Welie’s successor. Joining ISO New England in 2000, van Welie served as chief operating officer before being promoted to CEO in 2001. In his tenure, van Welie led strategic initiatives to keep grid system reliability intact and the wholesale electricity markets competitive during significant shifts in the region’s policies, generation sources, and technologies.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery has announced the first-ever “Liquordation” Sale, offering consumers a chance to try new-to-them spirits and favorite brands at discounted prices while helping local stores free up valuable shelf space for exciting new offerings. This special sale runs Monday, June 23 through Friday, June 27 from 9am to 5pm and features products that have been removed from the 802Spirits active product list, as well as a selection of special-order items. Delisting is a routine part of product lifecycle management and allows for a refreshed and responsive selection that reflects consumer demand. Now, for the first time, these delisted products will be available to the public at reduced prices.

Vermont Business Magazine The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) announced today the appointment of Emily Brown as its new Executive Director, effective August 18, 2025. Emily most recently served as Vermont’s Deputy Commissioner of Insurance at the Department of Financial Regulation (DFR), where she managed the Insurance Division and over 30 staff, oversaw commercial market regulation, and led several major statewide initiatives to improve access, affordability, and accountability in Vermont’s insurance system. A licensed attorney with deep policy and regulatory expertise, Emily has served in a variety of leadership roles at the DFR over the past decade, including Director of Insurance Regulation and Assistant General Counsel.

Vermont Business Magazine Fidium, New Hampshire’s best internet provider according to CNET, has completed expansion of its multi-gig, symmetrical speed internet service in the Upper Valley-area. Expansion to Croydon, Grantham and Newport, N.H. and to White River Junction and Hartford, Vt. marks a milestone in Fidium’s effort to upgrade connectivity in the region. More than 26,000 Upper Valley homes and businesses will have access by year’s end, with Fidium set to begin construction in Lebanon this July.   

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.13/g, up 9.5 cents per gallon from last week's $3.04/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.75/g while the highest was $3.30/g, a difference of 55.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has risen 9.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.18/g today. The national average is unchanged from a month ago and stands 23.3 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets If you're looking for a fun, authentic Vermont experience, then you won't want to miss out on the state's Fairs & Field Days. These events are a celebration of Vermont's agricultural heritage, showcasing the best local produce, livestock, crafts, and entertainment. With a dozen events taking place throughout the state this summer and fall, you're sure to find a fair or field day that fits your schedule and interests. Whether you're drawn by the charm of 4-H livestock shows, the flavor of local food vendors, or the thrill of carnival rides, Vermont’s Fairs and Field Days offer something for everyone. Stroll through barns filled with prize-winning animals, explore agricultural exhibits, and discover handmade crafts that showcase the skill and creativity of Vermont artisans. With live music, tractor pulls, and kid-friendly games, these events showcase the best of rural life across every corner of the state. 

Vermont State Police An autopsy was completed Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington. The Vermont State Police is able to identify the victim as Tina Daigle, 38, of Hardwick. A determination from the medical examiner on the cause and manner of her death remains pending further investigation. State police continue to treat this death as suspicious and encourage anyone with information to call the Berlin Barracks at 802-229-9191 or submit an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) released the following statements about President Trump's military strikes against Iran on June 21, 2025: In the 1960s the United States government lied to the American people and took us into a terrible war in Vietnam. The result of that war was that over 58,000 young Americans died and many more came back wounded both in mind and in spirit. Millions of Vietnamese were also killed. In 2002 we were told that we had to go to war against Iraq, that Iraq was building weapons of mass destruction, and that if we did not act quickly and decisively nuclear weapons would fall on America. The United States invaded Iraq and became embroiled in a long civil war there. No weapons of mass destruction were ever found. That war was based on a lie. Now, President Trump’s decision to enter a war with Iran does not make America more secure—it puts us in extreme danger. This bombing was an act of war that risks retaliation by the Iranian regime.

Vermont Business Magazine Shelburne Museum officially broke ground today on the Perry Center for Native American Art, a new building and integrated landscape designed for the stewardship and care of the Indigenous art housed within the museum. The Perry Center is designed in close partnership with Tribal Nations and culture bearers whose cultural items are represented in the collection of art from across the continent.

by Amanda Kuhnert “I am just so blessed to be here,“ said Sherri Shearer-Prouty, as she glanced around her new ice-cream shop in downtown Rutland, which she runs with her daughter Paige. This spring the pair relocated their business, Prouty’s Parlor, to a recently purchased building on Merchants Row — just one block away from its original spot, which first opened in March 2024. Shearer-Prouty is no stranger to business ownership. “Seventeen years ago, I had a tearoom upstairs in this building,“ she said. “I probably would have opened another one, but Loose Loona is just around the corner.“ After weighing her options, she settled on an ice-cream shop, saying its hours were a good fit for her lifestyle — open not too early and not too late.

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 23, 2025. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.  Work includes: I-89 Colchester – Improvements are underway at the Exit 17 interchange. Monday through Friday, U.S. 7 between the Shell Gas Station and Wiley Road, and U.S. 2 between Jasper Mine Road and U.S. 7 will have lane closures and lane shifts; I-89 Montpelier-Waterbury – Beginning Monday at 6 a.m. until further notice, motorists should expect major delays during peak travel hours due to the southbound lane closures from Exit 10 to Exit 8. The speed limit is reduced to 55 mph within the project limits and fines will be doubled.  

by Senator Scott Beck & Representative Pattie McCoy In November, voters delivered a clear mandate; they elected common sense Vermont Republicans in dramatic fashion and asked us to focus on affordability, housing, education, and public safety. Vermont Republicans gained more legislative seats than the rest of the states, combined. Vermonters empowered the Senate and House Republican Caucuses by breaking the supermajority and ensured that America’s most popular Governor would be an equal at Montpelier’s negotiating table. Because of gains made by Vermont Republicans in the 2024 election, Vermonters could be assured that the worst ideas were blocked from becoming reality, especially the Clean Heat Standard. But being an obstacle isn’t enough to demonstrate true leadership. Vermont Republicans needed to show Vermonters that we could do more than just say no -- we could deliver results.