Current News

Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility As Americans, Vermonters, and business leaders, this is a disorienting moment. Recent federal actions have had a tremendous impact on Vermont's businesses, communities, and economy. As members of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), we also draw tremendous strength from the philosophy and practice of “business as a force for good,” and invite you to join us in leveraging the power of business for positive impact.

Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center VMEC Center Director & CEO Patrick Boyle and Maple Landmark Woodcraft's President Mike Rainville, who is also the President of the VMEC Board of Directors, are the featured guests of NBC 5 Evening News Anchor and In Depth host Brian Colleran. Patrick and Mike will speak of the importance of VMEC's role the last 30 years in the world of VT manufacturing and the impact the industry has on the Green Mountain state's economy.

Burlington City Hall We are witnessing the real and predictable harms created by a severe lack of shelter options, including inadequate capacity in the General Assistance Emergency Housing Program (hotel/motel program). In Chittenden County, data indicates that approximately 250 people are sleeping outside on any given night this winter, primarily in Burlington. This equates to a 6.5-fold increase in unsheltered homelessness since 2023 and is a direct result of reductions in shelter opportunities through the motel program, as well as a structural lack of shelter capacity, both locally and statewide. 

Vermont Business Magazine Hula is proud to be part of a consortium of coworking spaces and innovation hubs receiving a $10,000 grant from the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships (Leahy Institute). This funding will catalyze a partnership with the University of Vermont (UVM) and coworking spaces across the state to build and strengthen partnerships, create new opportunities for student learners, and build a stronger connection among Vermont’s innovation hubs. The goal is to create a network of spaces that foster connections between regions and among Vermonters, whether you are a student looking for an internship, a start-up looking for funding, or a mid-stage company looking to hire new talent. 

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) today released the following statement on President Trump’s unconstitutional Executive Order to eliminate the Department of Education, which would require an act of Congress: “Donald Trump is pulling the rug out from underneath a critical element of our education system. Make no mistake, this new Executive Order will hurt students in communities of every size, educators and staff, and rural America. President Trump has already cut Department workforce in half. Shrinking the Department of Education further will only slow the critical services it provides to our kids, and slash opportunities to our next generation of students."

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Stephen Kingsbury, 23, of Rutland, Vermont, was arraigned today on one count of felony Aggravated Sexual Assault on a Child, one felony count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, and six counts of felony Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. The charges brought against Mr. Kingsbury were the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security and the Rutland Police Department.

Boise State President Marlene Tromp I write to you today to share the news that I have been selected to be the next president of the University of Vermont and will leave Boise State this summer to assume that new role. Over the coming weeks, the Board will announce a process for the selection of my successor. I am so proud of all that we’ve accomplished in the last nearly-six years, outcomes I celebrate as I prepare to wish this beloved community farewell. We have achieved record student enrollment, including record Idaho and rural student enrollment; phenomenal research growth; generous giving to our mission that has grown our ranks of endowed professors, dramatically increased student scholarships, and elevated our athletics programs.

Vermont Business Magazine Marlene Tromp, Ph.D., will become the University of Vermont’s 28th president, the university’s Board of Trustees announced today. She will formally assume the post later this summer. A humanities scholar with three decades of experience in teaching, research, and higher education administration, Dr. Tromp is currently professor of English and president of Idaho’s Boise State University, a position she has held since 2019. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Peter Welch (D-Vermont) announced that on Wednesday, March 26, at 2:30pm EST they will host a forum: “Cures in Crisis: What Gutting NIH Research Means for Americans with Cancer, Alzheimer's, & Other Diseases.” The forum will highlight how President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s gutting of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will have generational impacts on finding cures and treatments for serious illnesses that impact millions of Americans each year. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) announced today supports for Vermont’s federal employees, contractors, and other workers impacted by the recent federal government transition. “Vermont’s workforce includes over 6,800 federal employees” said Commissioner Michael Harrington. “While Vermont may be home to a smaller population of federal workers, the department understands this is a big change and is committed to providing resources and support to help affected workers navigate their next steps.” Federal workers impacted by this transition may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. The Department of Labor has created a resource page for former federal workers with specific guidance and instructions on how to file for benefits, along with additional information to support the reemployment process. 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.12 per gallon, down 2 cents per gallon from last week, down 3 cents/g from last month and down 20 cents/g from a year ago. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.85/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 44.0 cents per gallon. The counties with the lowest prices were Rutland ($2.99/g) and Windham ($3.03/g) while the highest were Franklin ($3.22/g), Grand Isle ($3.23/g) and Lamoille ($3.22/g). The lowest prices continue to be in the southern part of the state, according to AAA. The national average price of gasoline has risen 5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.12/g today.

Vermont Business Magazine lululemon has announced a multi-year collaboration with San Leandro, CA, based biotechnology pioneer ZymoChem to help expand the company’s use of bio-based nylon and advance its leadership in sustainable innovation. Together, lululemon and ZymoChem will sustainably transform a key building block of nylon 6,6 – a foundational material used in many of lululemon’s iconic products including its Align and Wunder Train leggings. ZymoChem has additional offices in Burlington, Vermont. lululemon’s work with ZymoChem began last year with an initial investment to support innovative technologies used to create a bio-based version of adipic acid – one of the key chemical building blocks of nylon 6,6 traditionally produced from petroleum.