Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s alpine and cross-country ski areas joined industry partners, supporters, and friends at Ski Vermont’s 56th Annual Meeting at Sugarbush Resort, June 4–5, recapping a season of continued growth despite challenges. Vermont’s alpine ski areas reported 4.16 million skier visits for the 2024–25 season, an increase of 1.1% over the previous year and 6.2% over the 10-year average. These totals put Vermont 0.6% ahead of the New England region’s 0.4% growth, and just 0.6% behind the national average visitation increase of 1.7%. With strong visitation and continued year over year growth, Vermont remains the top ski state in the east and fourth largest in the nation, measured by skier visits, a key performance indicator for the snow sports industry.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont weekly unemployment claims for the week ending May 31, 2025, fell to their lowest number this year. New claims this week were 239, down 132 claims from the week before and are 14 fewer than last year at this time. The end of the winter tourism season tends to increase claims, just as they do after holidays. Claims, which are lowest in the summer, were 181 at the end of September 2024. For the week, Vermont total unemployment insurance claims were 2,864 (down 187 for the week and up 468 from this time last year). Total US nonfarm payroll employment increased by 139,000 in May, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported June 5, sending markets up.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections today reported an unsuccessful escape attempt at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, Vermont. The individual was identified as Michael Farnsworth. On June 5, at approximately 4:49pm, Mr. Farnsworth was observed in the transport dock area of SSCF attempting to open the gate. Staff made multiple attempts to verbally redirect Mr. Farnsworth back to the facility. Mr. Farnsworth was unresponsive to verbal commands from staff, who subsequently detained Mr. Farnsworth and escorted him back to the facility. Throughout the incident, Mr. Farnsworth did not breach the secure portion of the facility. 

Vermont Business Magazine This week, the Hinesburg community celebrated the official grand opening of Kelley’s Field II. Co-owners and co-developers, Evernorth and Cathedral Square welcome adults 55 and older to the 24 new permanently affordable apartments in Hinesburg, Vermont. Situated next to Kelley’s Field I, Kelley’s Field II is the second phase in the larger Kelley’s Field development project, offering 24 energy-efficient apartments – 23 one-bedrooms and 1 two-bedroom apartment with a mix of affordable and market-rate rents.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is issuing an air quality alert for northwest Vermont beginning 10:00 AM through midnight. Wildfire smoke from Canada is expected to elevate concentrations of fine particles to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” (code orange) on the Air Quality Index. Particle pollution may be Moderate (code yellow) on the Air Quality Index for the morning hours and worsen later in the day. The air quality forecast will be updated on Friday afternoon for conditions expected on Saturday.  

Vermont State Police As part of an ongoing investigation into the distribution of narcotics in the area of Windsor, Vermont, the Vermont State Police Drug Task Force arrested Joshua J. Morse, 35 of Windsor, on Friday, June 6, 2025. The arrest stemmed from a months-long drug investigation conducted by detectives with the Vermont Drug Task Force into the distribution of fentanyl and cocaine from 9 Durkee St. in Windsor. The Vermont Drug Task Force investigation involved the use of a confidential informant who purchased cocaine from Morse on two occasions.

Vermont Business Magazine After six months of organizing, a majority of the roughly 85 Hospice staff at UVM Home Health and Hospice voted Thursday to formalize their union. Hospice United will represent Nurses, LNAs, Social Workers, Chaplains, Bereavement Coordinators, Volunteers Coordinators, Cooks, and Admin Support in both the McClure Miller Respite House and the community-based team.

Vermont Business Magazine Fitch Ratings has assigned ratings to the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) education loan revenue bonds senior series 2025A issued from the 2012 master trust. Fitch has also affirmed the existing bond ratings of the master trust. The $32.0 million proceeds of the 2025A issuance and approximately $0.14 million in premium will be used to fund the prefunding account. This will be used for the purchase of new loans originated by VSAC within the terms of the prefunding period, ending on June 15, 2026, for an amount equal to $28.9 million. The remaining amounts will fund the increase in the cash reserve, the capitalized interest fund and the costs of issuance.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott signed six bills into law today, including H.482, An act relating to Green Mountain Care Board authority to adjust a hospital’s reimbursement rates and to appoint a hospital observer. On a seventh bill, Scott allowed H.1, An act relating to accepting and referring complaints by the State Ethics Commission to become law without his signature. He explained to lawmakers in the letter below that the final bill "softens the Legislature’s commitment to the statutory State Code of Ethics." He said he hopes the Legislature will take another look at the issue next session.

Vermont Business Magazine Bennington College has finalized collective bargaining agreements with the three units of Bennington College United (BCU), the AFT-affiliated union representing faculty, staff, and campus safety. These agreements ensure equitable compensation and benefits for BCU members while supporting the long-term financial sustainability of the College. The contracts are the result of extensive and thoughtful negotiations that began in 2024, when Bennington College voluntarily recognized BCU upon its formation. 

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today won a court order that blocks the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. On April 29, Attorney General Clark joined a coalition of 23 other attorneys general and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania in challenging the administration’s plans to eliminate nearly 90 percent of AmeriCorps’ workforce, abruptly cancel its contracts, and close $400 million worth of AmeriCorps-supported programs. Attorney General Clark and the coalition sought a preliminary injunction to immediately stop the closure of programs in plaintiff states. Today the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland granted the preliminary injunction, restoring all programs that had been terminated in plaintiff states, and ordering the reinstatement of over 750 National Civilian Community Corps members.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Community College of Vermont (CCV) anticipates that over 70 young Vermonters will graduate with debt-free associate degrees this academic year, an average of one year out of high school. These students, the large majority of whom are still teenagers and who come from 12 of Vermont’s 14 counties, were supported in fast-tracked pathways to degrees of their choosing through the state’s Early College program and the Free Degree Promise. The McClure Foundation created the Free Degree Promise in 2022 because it believes accelerated pathways to in-demand careers are gamechangers for Vermont youth, especially at a time when high school graduation rates and postsecondary continuation rates have declined to the lowest in New England.