Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) will hold his third annual Youth Chess Day for students grades 1-12 on Saturday, April 19 at Vermont State University in Randolph. Over the first two years of this event, more than 250 young Vermonters from across the state have come out to learn the game and compete. The day starts with a Learn-To-Play session for students in Grades 1-8 to learn how to play and to hone their skills. Lunch will be served and is free for all attendees. In the afternoon, more experienced players in grades 1-12 can test their knowledge in a recreational tournament. Students with all levels of experience are welcome and highly encouraged to attend.

Vermont Business Magazine TD Charitable Foundation, the giving arm of TD Bank, has announced $7.2 million awarded to 36 nonprofits across the bank's Maine to Florida footprint and in Michigan through the 19th annual Housing for Everyone grant program. Each $200,000 grant will support solutions for low- to moderate-income (LMI) homeowners struggling to maintain homeownership. The Vermont recipient is Champlain Housing Trust, based in Burlington. Many households in LMI communities face significant challenges that threaten their ability to sustain homeownership, including rising property taxes, increasing home repair costs, and risk of foreclosure. 

Vermont Business Magazine More than 200 Vermont students were selected to receive 81 VSAC-assisted scholarships, totaling approximately $1,000,000. VSAC-assisted scholarships are administered by VSAC on behalf of donors. Scholarships allow students to help fund college, or training to improve their job skills. Financial support impacts students in ways that range from allowing them more time to focus intently on their studies and personal growth, to helping students pursue majors that they are passionate about and will benefit our communities.

by Sarah Johnsen, Community News Service A program that has helped raise millions for habitat conservation and restoration without people needing to buy hunting licenses is celebrating its 10th anniversary — the Vermont Habitat Stamp. The program has raised more than $1.6 million directly since 2015, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, and at least $3.5 million total when including interest and matching federal money. That money supplements the department’s budget and is a means for state biologists’ conservation projects, partnerships with local landowners and nonprofits and much-needed habitat support. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont House of Representatives gave preliminary approval for S.28, an act related to access to certain legally protected health care services on a vote of 97 to 43. The bill strengthens legal protections for Vermont individuals and providers in accessing and providing reproductive health care and gender-affirming care. It clarifies and expands Vermont’s Shield Laws and sets new standards to combat misinformation and interference with legally protected health care activity. The bill is up for a final vote on Friday, April 18th, upon approval it will go back to the Vermont Senate. 

Vermont Business Magazine Fr. Gregory Boyle, S.J., the founder of the largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world, will deliver the Commencement address at Saint Michael’s College to the Class of 2025. Fr. Boyle, whose program is based in Los Angeles, California, will also receive an honorary degree during the ceremony on May 11, 2025. The College’s 118th Commencement Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in the Ross Sports Center. Two additional honorary degrees will be awarded during the ceremony as well, recognizing an individual and a group who have devoted their lives and careers to service, leadership and philanthropy. Those honorary degree recipients are the music group Phish and the founder of Dismas of Vermont, Rita Whalen McCaffrey. 

Vermont Business Magazine What does the dairy industry mean to Vermont?  The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is pleased to introduce a new report that helps answer that question. The report, entitled “Vermont Dairy Delivers”, identifies the annual economic impact of Vermont’s dairy industry as $5.4 billion dollars, growing from $2.6 billion ten years ago. This is just one data point among many in the new report, showing how dairy has evolved and sustained itself, through the hard work of our state’s dairy farmers, the producers and processors that provide and create great nutritious dairy products, and the thousands of employees keeping our working lands productive and vital.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Mutual Insurance Group, a leading Property and Casualty insurance company, recently held its 198th Annual Meeting at its home office in Montpelier, VT. In 2024 the Group’s assets reached $1,648,357,635 and policyholders’ surplus increased during the year to an all-time high of $840,295,632. Reviewing the results for 2024, Mark McDonnell, President and CEO of Vermont Mutual, stated “I am pleased to report that despite the challenges of 2023, including the flooding of our home office in July of that year, Vermont Mutual has quickly returned to profitability, and even historic operating results for 2024. McDonnell continued "This past year we wrote over $88M in new premium and achieved a record high of over $811M in total written premium. Additionally, we grew policyholder surplus by over $95M, the most ever in a single year at Vermont Mutual."

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State University (VTSU) and Community College of Vermont (CCV), the two institutions that make up the Vermont State Colleges system (VSC), are pleased to share a collaborative initiative and further partnership aimed at expanding educational opportunities for transfer students and adult learners. This partnership offers, through CCV, a pathway to the flexible VTSU Professional Studies program that caters to students’ specific career goals, combining the strengths of both institutions to provide a seamless avenue toward a four-year degree.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.09 per gallon, down 4 cents per gallon from last week, also down 4 cents/g from last month and down 38 cents/g from last year, according to AAA. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.61/g while the highest was $3.29/g. Prices generally get more expensive the farther north you go. Economic uncertainty and supply issues have driven gas prices up nationally.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Law and Graduate School continues to lead impactful research and advocacy work through its innovative programs and partnerships. Developed in partnership with the National Farm to School Network, the newly published “State Farm to School Policy Handbook: 2002-2023” is a vital tool for those seeking to enhance food systems through education and nutritional initiatives. The handbook identifies, summarizes and analyzes bills and resolutions introduced across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. It provides a detailed snapshot of the evolving farm-to-school policy landscape.

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group today released its 2024 Annual Report, which highlights new sales records and an expanded reach as the company grows by double digits. Among the accomplishments noted in the 2024 Annual Report: Set new sales records:$635 million in life insurance policies; $3.2 billion in Single Premium Deferred Annuities; $57.4 billion in assets under management; $507 million in core earnings; $175,000 raised by the National Life Group Do Good Fest® in support of kids’ mental health and cancer patients in Vermont and Texas; and $914,000 to over 595 organizations raised via Share the Good, the company’s employee donation matching program.