Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Berkshire Bank, is proud to present Breakfast with Berkshire: Business Succession Planning, a timely and informative event for business owners considering the future of their companies. The breakfast event will take place on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the Southern Vermont Arts Center’s Yester House in Manchester, Vermont. This free, open-to-the-public event is designed to support local business owners at every stage of their succession journey—whether actively preparing to transition or simply beginning to explore what comes next.

by Ali Jalili Former Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger once posted on social media his delight at seeing various construction cranes at work in Burlington. He was right to be delighted; and we don’t have nearly enough cranes at work. I’ve been lucky to travel all over the world and there is one sure sign that a city is on the rise, vibrant, and “booming” – lots of construction cranes at work. The reverse is also sadly true. Where you don’t see new development, you often see the signs of economic stagnation or decay, with closed storefronts and a general sense of malaise. There is little middle ground. Cities develop or stagnate.

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First, Vermont Business Magazine The former director of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Vergennes, who police say falsely claimed under oath she was accosted by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent at a local business, will not be prosecuted for a felony charge of false swearing, officials said. Alicia Grangent, 49, instead has been given the chance to make a $500 donation to the John Graham Housing Shelter in Vergennes, Addison County State's Attorney Eva P. Vekos told Vermont News First. Vergennes Police said they had issued Grangent a court citation ordering her to appear in Vermont Superior Court in May on a felony count of false swearing and a misdemeanor charge of providing bogus information to Vergennes Police. The two criminal charges stem from an incident that Grangent claimed happened at Shaw's Supermarket earlier this year involving an ICE agent, police said.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross Vermont President and CEO Don George has once again expressed concern about the financial stability of his company and the health insurance industry. He also emphasized the financial vulnerability of the broader health care system, a view shared across the board. While finding a financial solution remains challenging, various initiatives are underway. Gov. Phil Scott recognized the issue in May but indicated that his administration is currently prioritizing housing, education reform and overall economic affordability. Still, there are several health care bills making their way through the system or already signed into law by the governor.

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on May 30, 2025, Samuel Blatt, 33, of Colchester, Vermont, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss to a term of 49 additional months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release.  Blatt has been detained in the custody of the State of Vermont since his arrest on March 15, 2024. Judge Reiss also ordered that Blatt pay $14,100 in restitution. Blatt previously pleaded guilty to the March 5, 2024, robbery of the Union Bank in Johnson, Vermont. According to court records, between February 28, 2024, and March 14, 2024, Blatt committed the robberies of four banks in Vermont and attempted the robbery of a fifth bank. 

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.