Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State University (VTSU) President Dr. David Bergh has announced his intention to retire at the end of the next academic year and the conclusion of his current contract on June 30, 2026. His retirement will mark the culmination of a nearly 30-year career in higher education, including over two decades of dedicated service to the Vermont State Colleges System. Bergh took the helm of Vermont State University (VTSU) as interim president following the planned departure of current chief executive and former Vermont Agency of Human Services Secretary Michael K Smith in September 2023. Smith himself was thrust into service after Parwinder Grewal tendered his resignation and left in April 2023 before the new university formally began operating on July 1, 2023. Whoever follows Bergh will be the fourth VTSU leader in just over three years.

Vermont Business Magazine The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces a new grant made possible through the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation. With total funding of $1,750,000, the Organic Dairy Product Promotion (ODPP) Grant will make it easier for youth-based centers to serve regionally produced USDA-certified organic dairy products to students across the Northeast.  

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The United States Court of International Trade ruled Wednesday that the Trump Administration cannot use emergency powers to institute tariffs, saying that power lies with Congress alone. The court, in a unanimous decision, ordered the tariffs halted. On Thursday the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted the Trump administration’s request to temporarily pause the lower-court ruling that struck down most of the tariffs, thus reinstating them. The administration told the court that it might seek “emergency relief” from the Supreme Court. After the initial ruling by the trade court, the White House in a statement said that an economic state of emergency exists now that allows the president to impose tariffs. The plaintiffs in the case opposing the tariffs include Burlington-based Terry Precision Cycling, and four other small US businesses, as well as several states, including the State of Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Keeping a small flock of chickens at home to provide eggs and meat has become increasingly popular, but many first-time, small-scale poultry farmers are discovering that several species of wildlife like the taste of chicken as much as we do. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department urges poultry owners to use electric fencing and follow other precautions to protect their birds from predation. Comeau says bears require a significant amount of effort to deter once they have learned to feed on chickens and their food. She says it is important that Vermonters take a more proactive approach and protect chickens before they have a problem.

by Joshua Brown, UVM A new UVM-led study shows that wildlife underpass tunnels dramatically reduce deaths of frog, salamanders and other amphibians migrating across roads. Frogs, salamanders, and other amphibians around the world face mounting threats from a devastating fungus, climate change, habitat loss—and road mortality. Among these, roads pose a uniquely immediate danger by cutting through critical migration corridors, allowing vehicles to crush millions of animals each year. Now, a new, first-of-its-kind study offers powerful evidence that a simple intervention—wildlife underpass tunnels—can dramatically reduce these amphibian deaths and help preserve ecosystems.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Congressional Delegation, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), and U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont-At-Large) on Wednesday pushed back on the Trump Administration’s plans to eliminate the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and terminate employees at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) who distribute the funding. The Delegation previously called on Secretary of HHS Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to immediately reinstate the staff of the Division of Energy Assistance at HHS and disburse funding to states for LIHEAP. They have yet to receive a reply. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.09 per gallon today, up 1 cent from a week ago and a month ago, and down 49 cents/g from a year ago. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.80/g while the highest was $3.19/g, a difference of 39.0 cents per gallon. Prices are lowest in Windham ($3.01/g) and Windsor ($3.02/g) counties and highest in Lamoille ($3.18/g), Essex ($3.20/g) and Grand Isle ($3.20/g). The national average price of gasoline did not decline as much as predicted during the holiday weekend, where it was anticipated to fall to near $3 per gallon. As of today, the national average is $3.16, down 3 cents/g from last week, unchanged from last month and stands 41 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) urged the Trump Administration to drop its misguided plan to cut homebuilding tax credits in the midst of a housing crisis. The lawmakers urged the administration to reconsider its preliminary Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget request, which would completely eliminate funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HOME Investment Partnership Program. “Many households are contributing more than half of their income to rent, leaving less for other needs like health care, groceries, or saving for emergencies. For-profit developers also struggle to build entry-level or middle-income housing, resulting in a focus on high-end construction with units unaffordable to working families,” wrote the Senators. “Now is the time for strong federal support for HOME and the Housing Trust Fund to close financing gaps and build more homes.”   

Vermont Business Magazine At a roundtable in Manchester Wednesday, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) brought together Vermont businesses and manufacturers to hear directly how global tariffs and President Trump’s trade war are impacting them. The event was held at The Orvis Company, which was founded in Manchester, Vermont, in 1856.  This roundtable follows Senator Welch’s recent trip to Ottawa, where he met with Prime Minister Mark Carney and other Canadian leaders to discuss President Trump’s tariffs and trade war. 

Vermont Business Magazine As boaters visit Vermont’s lakes and ponds this spring and summer, the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) and partners are offering a few tips on how to stay safe and protect Vermont’s natural resources. “From recreation and drinking water to fish and wildlife habitat, Vermont’s lakes and ponds offer us many benefits,” said Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Jason Batchelder. “As boating season kicks off, it is key that Vermonters use and enjoy our public waters in a way that is both safe and environmentally friendly.”

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union has been named a recipient of the 2025 Best of the Best award by MemberXP, a program of CU Solutions Group. This award celebrates credit unions that consistently deliver exceptional member service—based entirely on real feedback from members. Vermont Federal Credit Union was recognized for its excellence in its Consumer Loan Process, highlighting its dedication to making lending simple, transparent, and accessible for all Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine In a rural state like Vermont, owning a vehicle is both essential and costly. As vehicle maintenance expenses rise, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation aims to ensure that all Vermont motorists are informed about the resources available to them, including various vehicle warranties and the Automotive Emissions Repair Assistance Program. By understanding and using these resources, drivers can reduce transportation-related costs and decrease vehicle emissions, a significant source of air pollutants and the largest source of greenhouse gases in Vermont.