Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Each year, the Department of Environmental Conservation asks groundwater users who withdraw more than 20,000 gallons per day to report annual usage to the Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division (DWGPD). Groundwater users who withdraw more than 57,600 gallons per day for commercial and industrial uses may require a permit. DWGPD uses the data collected through this program to analyze groundwater withdrawals to protect and manage this vital resource that is held in public trust for all Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine Let’s Build Homes, Vermont’s leading pro-housing coalition, has launched a television ad drawing attention to the state’s severe housing shortage and offering a vision for the future. The ad highlights a range of Vermonters, including a young family, a Northeast Kingdom teacher, an Upper Valley home builder and a health care leader and emphasizes the need to eliminate outdated regulations that prevent the development of homes for people of all income levels. Vermont is facing an unprecedented housing shortage, with high costs and limited availability driving families out of the state and making it difficult for employers to attract workers. Decades of restrictive land-use policies and permitting challenges have slowed home construction to a crawl, leaving many without viable housing options.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Late last week the US Department of Education sent a letter on Thursday April 3, 2025, to the states requiring the states to certify that their public schools are in compliance Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Vermont Education Secretary Zoie Saunders then sent a letter the next day to local schools saying: "The Agency of Education (AOE) will respond to the Department on or before April 14, 2025. Supervisory unions/districts (SU/SDs) must provide certifications to the AOE on or before April 10, 2025, to allow us to collect and review all certifications to comply with this deadline." The US DOE letter is being taken by the state's largest teachers' union as an attempt to control local school curriculum, particularly regarding an effort by the Trump Administration to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, under the threat of withholding federal school aid.

Vermont Business Magazine On Friday, April 4, 2025, at approximately 11:44 p.m., emergency responders were dispatched to Spare Time Bowling Alley, located at 215 Lower Mountain View Drive in Colchester, for a fire alarm activation. Occupants reported the smell of smoke and evacuated the building safely. Upon arrival, fire personnel discovered that a single-room fire had already been extinguished by the building’s fire suppression system. The quick activation and performance of the sprinkler system prevented the fire from spreading, effectively saving the multi-million-dollar facility from significant damage. The presence of the automatic fire sprinkler system prevented the spread of fire, prevented injuries and the business experienced only minimal disruption and was able to reopen for business the next day.

Vermont Business Magazine More than 25 current and former elected officials have today signed an open letter urging prospective candidates to reject the corporate two-party system and run with the Vermont Progressive Party in 2026. The letter, signed by local lawmakers and former officeholders from across the state, points to mounting frustration with Democratic inaction on core issues like healthcare, housing and climate. It urges bold, values-driven leaders to stop waiting and start building something better.

by Maggie Lenz and Nick Charyk on behalf of Atlas Government Affairs In March, Burlington voters again approved a charter change banning guns in bars, with 86.6% in favor. In 2014, Burlington voters had previously approved a similar measure. However, for a charter change to become law, it must be approved by the Legislature. Usually a routine bit of legislative sign-off, this change instead languished in committee and never made it to a full vote. On Thursday, a group of service industry professionals, lawmakers, and gun safety advocates gathered at the State House to call on the Legislature to approve Burlington’s charter change (S.131). The proposal is being championed by Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth, who stated, “Guns and alcohol don’t mix... let’s keep guns out of bars. It’s common sense.”

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.10 per gallon, up 2.4 cents per gallon from last week's $3.07/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.81/g while the highest was $3.27/g, a difference of 46.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has risen 10.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.21/g today. The national average is up 13.2 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 35.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets This grant, offered by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), provides funding to hire professional marketing and branding experts for existing value-added dairy processors, producer associations, and dairy brands using co-packing services. These professionals will develop strategies to increase consumer awareness, improve product positioning, and expand market reach for regional value-added dairy businesses. At least 75% of grant funds must be used for these professional services, ensuring that the expert drives the project’s direction. Up to 25% of the grant funds may be used to implement the professional’s recommendations, such as printing marketing materials, launching advertising campaigns, or updating branding and packaging.  

Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance The outdoor sector in Vermont and across the country is working to understand and prepare for changing federal policy from the Trump administration. Vermont's outdoor businesses and organizations are already experiencing impacts due to tariffs, reduced Canadian visitation and brand boycotts, and federal grant cuts and employee layoffs. Join this VOBA forum for updates from Washington on the latest tariff announcements and implications on the Vermont economy from Tim Tierney, Director of Business Recruitment and International Trade for the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

The Vermont State Police is investigating the death of a man who was in the custody of the Vermont Department of Corrections. VSP was notified at about 10 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2025, that James Ingerson, a 54-year-old inmate at the Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport, had been found deceased in his cell. Per standard protocol, a detective from the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations was assigned to the case and began a death investigation.

Initial information gathered by VSP indicates Mr. Ingerson had reported not feeling well and had been receiving care for a medical issue prior to his cellmate’s discovering him unresponsive Saturday morning. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak announced that Burlington Fire Chief Michael LaChance intends to retire, effective June 30, 2025. LaChance has served the City of Burlington for 26 years, including the past two years as Fire Chief Engineer. LaChance began as a volunteer firefighter in Colchester over 30 years ago, before joining the Burlington Fire Department in 1999. Over 26 years he has continued to demonstrate his commitment to the department, its members, and the residents they serve.   

Vermont State Police Saturday night, Jozef I. Eller was ordered jailed without bail on charges of attempted second-degree murder and violating a no-trespassing order. He is due to appear for arraignment at 12:30 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2025, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Rutland.