Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Karen T. Moran will join Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan as executive vice president and President, Commercial Markets, effective April 7, 2025. Moran will transition into the role, succeeding Ken Dallafior, who is retiring at the end of 2025 following more than 20 years of executive leadership at BCBSM. BCBSM's Commercial Markets division accounts for $18 billion in annual revenue and serves 4.1 million of BCBSM's 5.1 million members nationally. The division operates the company's commercial health insurance business, Blue Care Network HMO, the long-term care and specialty benefits subsidiary LifeSecure, and the company's affiliation with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont.

Inclusive Arts Vermont After nearly 40 years of increasing access to the arts for Vermonters with disabilities, with heavy hearts, Inclusive Arts Vermont will sunset operations and programming, effective June 30, 2025. This date allows IAV to honor all commitments for our current program year and ensures a thoughtfully executed closure. In 1986, Inclusive Arts Vermont began its creative journey as Very Special Arts of Vermont, later VSA Vermont, and a proud member of the national VSA network, a program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. While that network has since dissolved, our mission has remained the same: to use the magic of the arts to engage the capabilities and enhance the confidence of children and adults with disabilities.

Vermont Business Magazine In 2024, M&T supported 179 organizations throughout Vermont with sponsorship and grant dollars. M&T's total impact through the M&T Charitable Foundation and their Amplify grants was $2,966,980. M&T Employees provided 7,343 volunteer hours throughout the state. With branches throughout Vermont and across the region, M&T announced Tuesday that it had provided $4.9 million in grants to 51 nonprofit organizations across New England and Long Island and Westchester County, New York. The announcement of this third round concludes the company’s Amplify Fund supplemental grant program, a three-year, $25 million commitment to address inequities, with a focus on all low- and moderate-income communities and underserved populations.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and members of his cabinet will be in Windsor County on Monday, April 7 for its Capital for a Day 14-county tour. Governor Scott first launched this initiative in June 2018, and he and his cabinet visited all 14 counties over the following 10 months. Capital for a Day gives local constituents, municipal government leaders and other partners the opportunity to connect directly with state leadership and staff. “Spending a day in each county gives us an opportunity to hear directly from Vermonters, see the good things happening in their communities and understand how decisions made in Montpelier are impacting them,” said Governor Scott. “In the past, challenges identified on these visits led us to make historic investments in wastewater systems to support economic growth, strengthen our CTE centers, collaborate on public safety issues and more.”

Vermont Business Magazine Associated Industries of Vermont (AIV) is partnering with allied Vermont business associations, including the Vermont Chamber, the RDCs of Vermont and VMEC to host Vermont Manufacturing Day at the Vermont State House today.  The day features industry leaders, manufacturing businesses and policy makers to celebrate the manufacturing sector’s significant contributions to Vermont’s economy. Manufacturing helps drive Vermont’s economy—supporting 30,000 employees (10.5% of Vermont’s workforce), generating $3 billion in annual impact, and representing over 8% of the state’s GDP. 

Vermont Business Magazine At a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) called out President Trump for firing Democratic members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and discussed the importance of a fully functioning FTC, which protects consumers from rip-offs. Senator Welch served as Ranking Member of the subcommittee while Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) held the floor with a marathon speech, which lasted more than 24 hours. 

Vermont Business Magazine Bennington once again welcomes the Northeast's finest Home Brewers on Saturday, May 3rd, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Tuttle Lot (113 Depot St.) Bennington, VT. Home Brew Festival creator Will Gardner and organizational partner Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce look to continue the tradition of bringing the community a fun, safe, and memorable event. The festival was started in 2015 by Will Gardner and partners at 4 Corners North. After several years of growth and success, Will partnered with the Southwestern Chamber of Commerce to create the Winter HomeBrew Festival, which served as a companion event. Between the two events, there have been 16 local HomeBrew Festivals, each with their unique charm, theme, and of course, home brews!  

Vermont Business Magazine This week, representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor and the Vermont Department of Labor will host a series of Wage & Hour Employer Seminars to provide Vermont businesses with essential information on wage and hour rules and regulations. Seminars begin today: Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM,  Lyndon Institute, Lyndon Center, VT.

Northeastern Vermont Development Association Webinar: Municipal Strategies for Managing Short-Term Rentals, April 2nd, 12-1:30 pm. Short-term rentals offer local lodging options in communities where there are limited traditional accommodations, but they have the potential to introduce challenges including strains on public resources, reduced housing stock for residents, and disruptions in residential neighborhoods. A panel of four town leaders from across the region will share diverse experiences in how their communities have regulated short term rentals. 

Vermont Business Magazine The sense of belonging and connection that people feel in their community has a powerful impact on mental and physical health. At a time of polarization, disruption, and disconnection, the arts can help bring people back together to work, play, create, and solve problems collaboratively. When communities engage in the arts, they foster lasting connections and strengthen social cohesion, enriching overall wellbeing. The Vermont Community Foundation has new funding available for projects and events in the visual, performing, musical, and literary arts that create opportunities for positive social interaction, engagement, and collaboration. Nonprofits, schools, libraries, and other community and cultural organizations are invited to submit Letters of Interest (LOI) for projects that strengthen belonging and community cohesion in meaningful, lasting ways.  

Vermont Business Magazine Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that President Donald J. Trump has appointed Mark Sanborn as the Regional Administrator for EPA Region 1. As Regional Administrator, Mark will lead efforts to advance the Administration’s environmental agenda across the six New England states—Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont—and 10 federally recognized Tribal Nations. At the federal level, Mark has served in several leadership positions including as Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development, and as Director of Governmental and Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Mark began his career on Capitol Hill working for U.S. Senator Bob Smith of New Hampshire. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced he’s appointed 263 to State boards and commissions during the first quarter of 2025. Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. Giving back in this capacity creates an opportunity to listen to other perspectives and learn from one another. In turn, this helps to rebuild our sense of community and feel more connected to our neighbors. The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations.