Current News

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.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, today released the following statement on President Trump's Executive Order targeting the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, a major long-term cost-saving feature of the Inflation Reduction Act which grants Medicare the authority to negotiate prices for up to 60 medications and help make life-saving drugs more affordable to patients: “Since day one, Big Pharma has been trying to tear down the Inflation Reduction Act's drug pricing provisions—they're trying to increase their profits. And now, President Trump is bending to Big Pharma's will and giving them exactly what they want in this Executive Order."

Vermont Business Magazine It's finally spring and Vermonters are not only getting outside to appreciate the warmer weather, they’re also making plans for next winter's firewood supply. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has a few tips on how to properly dry or season firewood to reduce costs, smoke, and fuel use. “Burning wet wood can harm your family, neighbors, and the environment because it does not burn well and creates a lot of smoke,” said DEC Commissioner Jason Batchelder. “Burning properly seasoned wood saves you money and energy and protects your health because it burns hotter and cleaner than wet wood does.”

by Hannah Head, Community News Service Shelburne Farms is experimenting with a charcoal-like material known as biochar in its dairy operations as part of reaching a net-zero emissions goal. The 1,400-acre working farm and education center is primarily using biochar on the surface of its manure pits, with early indications suggesting it has reduced odors along with potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Biochar is a kind of a charcoal, made from excess organic material that is often used for its ability to sequester carbon. Studies also suggest biochar can help soils retain moisture and nutrients.

Vermont Business Magazine The Forest Business Accelerator is seeking innovative start-up and seed stage ventures that are focused on commercializing new and improved products, services, and technology in the forest and wood products industry. During the 2025 program, entrepreneurs will connect with industry experts, customers, suppliers, and investors. Over four months, the program includes intensive work sessions, two online sessions and two in-person intensive sessions (each 2-4 days in duration), weekly assignments and bi-weekly webinars, as well as frequent 1:1 engagement with mentors. 

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont’s (UVM) new Soil Health Research and Extension Center (SHREC) will begin accepting soil samples and offer local testing tailored to Vermont's unique soil conditions on Earth Day, April 22. SHREC will advance soil health research and provide invaluable resources to Vermont farmers by supplying specific insights with advanced soil health tests, including biological tests, carbon and organic matter analysis, and the ACE protein test for organic nitrogen. SHREC will take a farmer-focused approach, ensuring that research and test results are accessible and useful to farmers. 

Vermont Business Magazine Watching wildlife is enjoyable, especially when young animals appear in the spring.  But it is best to keep your distance.  Picking up young wildlife can do more harm than good, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, and it is also against the law. When people see young animals alone, they often mistakenly assume these animals are helpless or lost, in trouble or needing to be rescued.  Bringing young wildlife into a human environment often results in permanent separation from their mothers and a sad ending for the animal. Handling wildlife could also pose a threat to the people involved.  Wild animals can transmit disease and angry wildlife mothers can pose significant dangers. 

Vermont Business Magazine One of the state’s premier wildlife watching opportunities is taking place in Vermont. The steelhead rainbow trout have started their upstream migration to leap up waterfalls in a spectacular display of determination on their way to their spawning grounds. Steelhead can be spotted moving up the falls during warmer days in mid-to-late April and sometimes into early May.

Vermont Business Magazine Union Bankshares, Inc (NASDAQ - UNB) today announced results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and declared a regular quarterly cash dividend. Consolidated net income for the three months ended March 31 was $2.5 million, or $0.55 per share, compared to $2.4 million, or $0.53 per share, for the same period in 2024. Total assets were $1.52 billion as of March 31 compared to $1.42 billion as of March 31, 2024, an increase of $107.2 million, or 7.6%. Loan demand was strong in 2024 and through the first three months of 2025 resulting in an increase of $128.0 million, or 12.3 %, to reach $1.16 billion as of March 31 including $4.1 million in loans held for sale, compared to $1.04 billion as of March 31, 2024, with $3.4 million in loans held for sale. Despite the economic uncertainty in the future, asset quality remains strong with minimal past due loans and net recoveries of $1 thousand for each of the periods ended March 31, 2025, and March 31, 2024.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas announced today that her office has been recognized for excellence in election administration with a national Clearinghouse Award. The office’s 2024 video PSA: “Election Security in Vermont” won in the category of Distinguished Voter Education and Communications Initiatives. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) presents the awards program, also known as the “Clearies,” annually to celebrate the hard work of election offices across the country. Now in its ninth year, this year’s Clearie Awards honored programs that took place during the 2024 presidential election year.