Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced that James Mailhiot, Jr., 56, of Rutland, was sentenced Thursday in United States District Court in Rutland to four years of probation following his guilty plea to a charge of federal income tax evasion. U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier ordered that Mailhiot perform 200 hours of community service during his probationary term, pay restitution totaling $296,618, and an additional fine of $25,000. At today’s hearing, counsel represented to the court that Mailhiot was prepared to pay his restitution obligation in full immediately after sentencing.

Vermont Business Magazine Chestnut Carbon, a nature-based carbon project developer, today announced that since its inception, it has enrolled over 160,000 acres in its Improved Forest Management (IFM) membership program branded as "Forest Carbon Works." The program is one of the largest in the U.S. providing private landowners access to income-generating carbon markets while preserving the integrity and legacy of their forest land. The program currently has members enrolled from 36 states. This includes Three Peaks Maple in Newark, Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Evernorth closed Housing New England, Fund VI on March 19, 2025. ​ This fund will provide equity to finance affordable housing in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. ​Sixteen investors committed a total of $64,250,000 in equity making Housing New England, Fund VI (HNE Fund VI) a significant financial resource for the region's critical affordable housing needs. ​ HNE Fund VI's investors include community, regional, and national banks as well as one of the nation's largest mortgage banking organizations. ​Evernorth raises equity by syndicating federal Low-Income Housing and Historic tax credits as well as various state, historic, and affordable housing credits. 

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, this week took to the Senate Floor to speak out against President Trump’s efforts to help corporations and Big Oil pollute our air and water. In his remarks, Senator Welch highlighted the Trump Administration’s rollback of more than 30 regulations that set limits on mercury pollution, toxic wastewater, soot emissions, and more. “I am absolutely and adamantly opposed to giving polluters free rein to profit at the expense and welfare of the people that I represent, and we all represent.” 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement after Elon Musk and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced they would gut the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by recklessly firing 10,000 employees who work to improve the health of American families: "Let’s be clear: Arbitrarily firing over 10,000 workers at the Department of Health and Human Services will not make Americans healthier. It will make Americans sicker and less secure."

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the below statement on the need to act on education reform this session. Scott said at his press conference Wednesday that in order to implement education reform by the beginning of the school year in 2027, the process needs to begin this session. “Vermonters sent a very clear message last November; they wanted us to do something about the rising cost of living in our state. Property taxes were one of their biggest concerns, so my team delivered and put forward a bold and detailed plan to transform and strengthen our public education system."

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont House Democrats outlined core parts of a major education reform package today aimed at strengthening student opportunities and stabilizing long-term education costs. The legislation proposes consolidating Vermont’s districts to a minimum of 4,000 students each, improving efficiency and opportunity while maintaining community-focused classrooms. The bill is expected to advance to the House Ways and Means Committee by the end of the week.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, House Speaker Jill Krowinski and Representative Marc Mihaly, Chair of the House Committee on General & Housing, issued the following statement following the tri-partisan vote to pass H.479, an act relating to housing. Among other elements, the bill reforms the appeals process to ensure that those who challenge housing appeals have to show specific harm to their personal interests and demonstrate that the proposed housing violates the applicable zoning laws. The bill now moves on to the Senate for consideration. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) today released the following statement announcing his intention to bring to the Senate floor two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) to block the sale of certain offensive U.S. weaponry to Israel: "Next week, I will force Senate votes on two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval I have introduced to block certain offensive arms sales to Israel. These sales, proposed by the Trump Administration, would provide $8.8 billion in bombs and other munitions to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s extremist government to continue its destruction of Gaza. Netanyahu has clearly violated U.S. and international law in this brutal war, and we must end our complicity in the carnage."

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) honored outgoing Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD Wednesday night during its annual Medical Staff Recognition. SVMC, a member of Dartmouth Health, hosts the annual event to recognize physicians and advanced practice providers for excellence in practice, teamwork, and tenure. This year’s event included a special honor for Levine, who was named an honorary member of SVMC’s Medical Staff.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced the formation of a Vermont Baby Bonds Advisory Committee. The Committee will convene local and national experts to support the development of a baby bonds pilot program in Vermont. In 2023, Treasurer Pieciak and legislative leaders brought forward a proposal to implement a baby bonds program in Vermont, which would have invested $3,200 for every Vermont child born on Medicaid. When the child reaches adulthood, they could access the funds for wealth-building activities like buying a home in Vermont, starting or investing in a local business, pursuing higher education or job training, or saving for retirement. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Brattleboro Retreat mourns the passing of Tom Huebner, our esteemed Board Chair, whose leadership and vision have left an enduring mark on healthcare in Vermont. Tom dedicated his life to improving healthcare access, quality, and collaboration, first as CEO of Rutland Regional Medical Center and later as a transformative force at the Retreat and many other healthcare systems across the region.  A deeply respected figure in the state’s healthcare community, Tom dedicated nearly three decades to Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC), serving as CEO from 1997 until his retirement in 2018. Under his leadership, RRMC earned recognition as one of America’s best regional hospitals and became a model for collaboration, quality improvement, and financial stability.