Current News

by Devon Green, VP of Government Relations, VAHHS As we head into the last week of May, I’ve heard a lot of “I’ve never seen anything like this before” both in and outside of the health care space, including: 340B Protections and Prescription Drug Price Cap: The House passed an amended version of H.266 that includes a price cap on prescription drugs administered in an outpatient setting in addition to 340B protections. And, S.126, the health care reform bill that includes reference-based pricing and a 2.5% reduction in operating costs for hospitals, is going to conference committee. The main difference between the bills is the prioritization of global hospital budgets.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Natural Resources Council has announced the latest grant recipients for the Small Grants for Smart Growth program. Grantee selections are made by VNRC and a grant selection committee on a rolling basis. The Committee chose the Bridport Housing Task Force, the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region, and the South Burlington Energy Committee to be awarded a combined $6,750 in the most recent round of funding.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation announces the installation of 15 new Roadside Historic Sites Markers for 2025. These iconic green and gold markers allow places and people to come alive, sharing glimpses into the history of our Brave Little State. To date, there are 335 markers placed throughout Vermont.  

VermontBiz Average gasoline prices in Burlington are unchanged in the last week, averaging $3.15/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 100 stations in Burlington. Prices in Burlington are 1 cent per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 45.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 3.2 cents in the last week and stands at $3.476 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Burlington was priced at $3.01/g yesterday while the most expensive was $3.19/g, a difference of 18.0 cents per gallon. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.80/g while the highest was $3.19/g, a difference of 39.0 cents per gallon.

VermontBiz The Vermont Language Justice Project (VLJP) creates and disseminates public service videos in 21 languages to help people with language access needs make informed decisions and navigate daily life in Vermont and throughout the United States. 

VLJP is thrilled to announce that we have launched a multilingual app: iFY (Information for You), available for free for iPhone/iOS (https://tinyurl.com/iFYiphone) and Android (https://tinyurl.com/iFYandroid). iFY allows refugees, im/migrants, and people who speak languages other than English to easily access public service videos in their languages.

Vermont Agency of Transportation Beginning Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 5:00 AM, US Route 4 eastbound from the Interstate 89 Exit 1 southbound off-ramp to the Interstate 89 Exit 1 northbound off-ramp will be closed to all traffic. Westbound US Route 4 travel will be open; however, WB travel will be unable to turn left onto the Interstate 89 Northbound on-ramp. Starting at the same time, the Interstate 89 northbound Exit 1 off-ramp will be closed to all traffic. These closures are to allow VTrans to make repairs to the pavement on US Route 4.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is recognizing and thanking the dedicated Emergency Medical Services professionals who protect and serve Vermont’s communities. National EMS Week (May 18-24) honors the paramedics, emergency medical technicians, dispatchers, and all clinicians who are the front lines of emergency healthcare. This year’s EMS Week theme, “We Care For Everyone,” recognizes EMS workers for their invaluable contribution to Vermonters’ safety and honors the long-standing commitment of EMS professionals to public health and safety. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phill Scott recently proclaimed the month of May 2025 as Foster Care Month and noted that “Vermont renews our commitment to ensure bright futures for the more than 800 children and youth in foster care.” The Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) is taking time to acknowledge the critical importance of foster caregivers statewide and thank them for their contributions to the well-being of Vermont’s children and families. “By celebrating National Foster Care Month, we are able to highlight the unique role of kin caregivers and express our gratitude to all foster caregivers who devote themselves to the service of our most vulnerable Vermonters” said DCF Family Services Division Deputy Commissioner, Aryka Radke.

VermontBiz has presented the 2025 winners of the annual Best of Business Awards. The BOB Awards provides an opportunity to tell us, other readers and the rest of the state which companies in Vermont have the best products and services for businesses. This is the ninth year that VermontBiz has surveyed its readers to find the Best of the Best companies in Vermont. With over 53 years of forging strong relationships with Vermont’s business community, we know the great companies we have in Vermont; we have highlighted them in our magazine, website and e-communications month after month. As always, VermontBiz readers chose the winners! Between Jan. 1 and March 1, VermontBiz surveyed its print and digital subscribers. We asked readers — the business leaders of Vermont – whom they trust to provide their services in 120 different categories. After more than 66,000 votes, we compiled the go-to list in categories ranging from Best Landscaping Company and Best Digital Media Agency. 

Vermont Business Magazine The SBA and VermontBiz will recognize Christopher Swasey and Natalie Beckwith of Lewis Creek Builders for their impact and economic contributions in Vermont. Lewis Creek Builders is a full-service residential design-build company in Williston. Since purchasing the business in 2017, Chris and Natalie have grown their team from six to thirty-six and significantly increased profitability, reporting 5-year growth of 217%. The SBA and VermontBiz will honor Lewis Creek as the Vermont Small Business Persons of the Year, along with eight additional honorees, at an event June 10 at the Essex Resort & Spa from 11 am to 2 pm.

Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday, May 28th, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) will convene Vermont businesses and manufacturers in Manchester. The event will be held at the Orvis Rod Shop & Factory.  This event 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. On Wednesday, May 28th, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) will host a community conversation in Rutland to discuss the challenges facing Vermont, and what more needs to be done to make our communities more affordable, our businesses more successful, and our families healthier and safer.

Vermont Business Magazine The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) is unveiling a new grant made possible through funding from the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation. The Organic Dairy Product Promotion (ODPP) Grant is designed to increase organic dairy in schools, child-care centers, and other youth-based programs. This unique opportunity is part of a national initiative to increase the consumption of organic dairy among children and young adults while supporting small and mid-sized organic dairy producers.