Current News

by Staff Sgt. Michaela Granger U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard participated in a combined arms live-fire exercise (CALFEX), May 29-31, 2025, during Immediate Response 25, a large-scale, joint exercise with NATO Allies and partners at the Krivolak Training Area in Krivolak, North Macedonia, May 26 to June 9, as part of DEFENDER 25, the U.S. Army’s premier large-scale deployment exercise in Europe. DEFENDER 25, Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness, demonstrates the U.S. Army’s capability to move troops and equipment across long distances, integrate with Allied forces, and project combat power across the European theater.

Vermont Business Magazine Voting is now open through June 6 for Beats for Good, a high school music contest that gives young musicians from Vermont and surrounding states a chance to perform live at the National Life Group Do Good Fest, a popular summer music festival and benefit in Montpelier, Vermont. The winning band will open for multi-platinum headliners, take home $5,000 for their school music program, and earn $1,500 in personal cash prizes. Anyone can vote.

Vermont Business Magazine Verizon has named Matt Coakley as the Senior Vice President and Market President of Verizon’s Atlantic North Market, succeeding Chris Flood, who now serves as SVP of Customer Success Operations. Coakley will be responsible for overseeing all consumer sales, distribution, and operational execution across the market's 12 states, including Vermont, and the District of Columbia. He’ll also be leading a team of about 3,000 employees and managing 286 corporate stores in a region with more than 1,200 indirect stores and nearly the entire Verizon Fios Home Internet footprint.

Vermont Business Magazine South Burlington-based Dynapower, part of Sensata Technologies, a global leader in energy storage solutions, announces the launch of its latest utility-scale product, the MV Integrated PowerSkid. Combining highly efficient three-level CPS-2500 converters – Dynapower’s 5th generation of MW-scale inverters – with a medium-voltage step-up transformer, the MV Integrated PowerSkid offers a compact solution for medium-voltage applications in the renewable, BESS, and hydrogen sectors.

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.