Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont House of Representatives passed H.454, the House’s comprehensive education reform bill. The legislation, which received tri-partisan support, marks a major step toward building a more equitable and student-centered public education system and a more stable, resilient financing system. “I voted yes because the status quo is unacceptable for our kids, teachers, and communities,” said Speaker of the Vermont House, Rep. Jill Krowinski. “I know change is hard, but we must lead and create stability in our public education system. This is our moment. Let’s show every kid in our state, no matter where they live, they will have the best education at a price we can afford.”

Vermont Business Magazine On Friday afternoon, 4/11/25, over 500 support staff at Central Vermont Medical Center voted to ratify their first union contract, seven months after their union election. Negotiations concluded on April 4th at 2am after an 18-hour overnight bargaining session. The contract raises wages by an average 27% over the three-year contract, establishes the highest starting rate for support staff job titles in the UVM Health Network ($21/hour), provides paid time off to recover after staff are assaulted at work, lays the foundation for safer staffing, and improves job security, amongst many other provisions. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) has been awarded a $111,323 grant from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to help offset the costs of providing convenient facilities and public education for the safe and proper disposal of hazardous waste generated by residents and qualifying businesses. The grant is part of a solid waste assistance fund provided by the state to help towns and solid waste planning entities implement their solid waste plans, as required by state law. The grant is awarded annually by the DEC, an arm of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. CSWD uses the grant to help fund the District's hazardous waste collection program, which includes the Environmental Depot, a facility located in South Burlington.

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that Matthew Isaacs, 33, of Hartford, Vermont, has been charged by criminal complaint with producing child sexual abuse materials (previously referred to as child pornography). Isaac’s initial appearance in court was scheduled for Friday before United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford in Burlington.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Corissa Laws, 38, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was sentenced for stealing another person’s identity in order to illegally practice as a nurse in Vermont. In 2022, Ms. Laws impersonated a licensed Florida nurse to receive a pandemic-related emergency authorization to fraudulently register as a licensed nurse in Vermont and New Hampshire. Ms. Laws then worked in residential care facilities in Vermont and other states, at a level of care that she had not been trained or certified to safely perform.

Vermont State Police On 4/10/25, at approximately 1454 hours, troopers from the Shaftsbury barracks responded to a report of a single vehicle crash on Maple Hill Road in the town of Arlington, VT. Upon arrival, it was learned the operator was entrapped in the vehicle and unresponsive. Investigation revealed Vehicle 1 was traveling northbound and left the roadway for an unknown reason. After leaving the roadway, Vehicle 1 collided with a tree. Members from Arlington Fire Department and Arlington Rescue Squad responded to the scene to assist. Once Raymond Ostrander was removed from the vehicle he was transported to SVMC, where he was pronounced deceased.

Vermont Business Magazine Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity (CVHFH) has received a $150,000 grant from the M&T Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB). The funding is part of the third round of grants from the Amplify Fund, which is awarding over $4.9 million to 51 nonprofit organizations across New England, Long Island, and Rockland County, NY. CVHFH strengthens Vermont communities through affordable, mortgaged homeownership, critical home repairs, and disaster response. The organization also operates a ReStore in Waterbury, which sells donated goods at discounted prices. Profits directly support CVHFH’s housing programs, while also providing low-cost essentials and reducing landfill waste.

Vermont Business Magazine Capstone Community Action is launching a search for a new Executive Director to lead the Central Vermont organization with overall strategic and operational responsibility. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will oversee the organization’s mission-driven programs, staff, and business affairs while fostering community impact and growth. Capstone is seeking a dynamic leader with a strong background in financial oversight, strategic planning, program development, and advocacy. The ideal candidate will bring at least seven years of senior leadership in regional or statewide organizations, and a proven track record of advancing strategic initiatives. In December, after six years at the helm, Sue Minter stepped down as Capstone’s Executive Director.

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group’s Independent Distribution sales team raised over $29,000 for Circle, a shelter and hotline resource for victims of domestic violence in Washington County. At their annual kickoff meeting, members of the field leadership team staged a friendly competition to support victims of family violence in both Dallas and Vermont, where the company has home offices. Circle serves anyone experiencing intimate partner and/or sexual violence in the Washington County area answering hotline calls, providing confidential shelter, legal advocacy, support groups and community presentations.

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First, Vermont Business Magazine A federal jury in Burlington ordered Dartmouth Health on Thursday to pay more than $1.1 million to a fertility doctor from Windsor County after ruling the defendants fired her because of her disability. Dr. Misty Blanchette Porter of Norwich was awarded $1 million in economic damages for lost income and expenses. The jurors said Dr. Porter also was entitled to $125,000 in non-economic damages for the loss of enjoyment in life, mental anguish or pain and suffering, according to the 7-page verdict form. 

Vermont Business Magazine Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York has announced that the 17th Annual Beat the Winter Blues event, held annually by volunteers in Franklin County, raised $105,577.86 to support wishes for children with critical illnesses, setting a new fundraising record for the community-driven event. Event organizers Adam Kane and Andrea Sartwell presented the check to Jamie Hathaway, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York, during a special ceremony at the Vermont Wishing Space located in the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne. Representatives from Haddad Subaru, a major event sponsor, along with Make-A-Wish staff and board members, were in attendance. The April 5th event, held at Highgate Arena in Highgate, Vermont, attracted more than 500 attendees, its largest crowd to date. 

Vermont Business Magazine Census Bureau data indicates that Vermont was the nation’s leader in income growth from 2022 to 2023. Vermont median income grew 5.4% year-over-year, while the national median stayed roughly flat with a .15% decrease. Vermont’s median income increase represents a jump from below to above the national median. Vermont ranks 17th in household income. Vermont's median income in 2023 was $81,200. Washington, DC, had the highest median at $108.2K, but among the states, Massachusetts was highest at $99.9K, closely followed by New Jersey ($99.8K) and Hawaii ($95.3K). The lowest were Mississippi ($54.2K) and West Virginia ($55.9K).