Current News

Green Mountain Care Board GMCB Board Members and presenters will participate remotely through Microsoft Teams. All topics and times listed on agendas are approximate and subject to change. Members of the public who cannot access the meeting remotely can view the meeting in a public space. Please call (802) 828-2177 or email us at [email protected] for the location details.  

Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross in Vermont is helping to bridge access to health care for blood donors by providing free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for diabetes and prediabetes, on all successful blood, platelet and plasma donations in March. One-third of people lack access to regular primary care in the U.S., where diabetes affects 1 in 10 people and nearly a quarter of those living with it have been undiagnosed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The free A1C screening aims to help address this gap by empowering blood donors with valuable information to maintain their health and well-being. This new offering is among the longtime work of the Red Cross to support the health of communities, which also includes disaster relief efforts such as basic disaster health and mental health services among other assistance.

VermontBiz Vermont Governor Phil Scott tapped a maple tree at Pure Gold Sugaring in Sutton today to recognize the beginning of this year’s maple season.  With the weather still chilly but the sun growing stronger by the day, the governor joined the Solinsky family and Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts to tap a maple tree and join in the tradition of Vermont’s maple season while celebrating this important industry to the state’s economy and culture.   

“This important event recognizes Vermont’s maple industry and the hard-working families that produce the best maple in the world,” said Governor Scott. “The Solinsky family, and so many families like theirs, work to make sure our state is producing the highest quality maple syrup. Their hard work and dedication year-round is why we continue to lead the nation in maple production and excellence.”

VermontBiz The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is kicking off National Consumer Protection Week, March 2-8, 2025, with a warning about the dangers of imposter scams. Imposters are scammers who work very hard to convince consumers they are a friend or relative, or that they are from a legitimate source, such as a bank or government agency. These fraudsters then take personally identifiable information (PII) and use it to steal victims’ money.

VermontBiz The Northern Forest Center has completely transformed historic Bertrand's Hall on Railroad Street in downtown St. Johnsbury. The refurbished building will have nine market-rate apartments and two commercial suites. The Northern Forest Center, a non-profit organization based in Concord, NH, has been investing in property redevelopment, across northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, contributing to downtown revitalization. The beautiful refreshed building, with modern amenities and historical character, will attract and help retain area employees. Applications are being accepted and long-term occupancy is expected in April.

VermontBiz Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) announced Allison Hope, Executive Director of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association, will join Senator Welch for President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress on Tuesday evening.  

Vermont’s maple industry—as well as farms and businesses across Vermont—are bracing for the economic fallout of the Trump’s 25% tariff on Canada, which will go into effect tomorrow. Sugar makers expect the cost of Canadian-made sugaring equipment to dramatically increase. Bulk maple sales to major retailers like Costco, Target, and Whole Foods rely on both U.S. and Canadian producers and most of the equipment needed to produce syrup is manufactured in Canada. 

VermontBiz Mascoma Community Development announced today the successful closing of a New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) financing transaction in support of GreenSource Fabrication LLC, a subsidiary of Whelen Engineering Company, Inc. The transaction will support its new manufacturing facility located in Charlestown, New Hampshire (Sullivan County). The facility will house 98,000 square feet of manufacturing space, including ISO 6 and ISO 7 clean room spaces for the production of UHDI (Ultra High Density Interconnect) printed circuit boards (PCBs). “MCD is pleased to provide NMTC funding to support the GreenSource project and be part of Whelen’s expansion in New Hampshire while creating new jobs in our region and a rural community. This project also represents an opportunity to increase manufacturing in the United States by a company that prioritizes environmentally friendly practices,” says Michelle LeClair, Chief Investment Officer of MCD.

VermontBiz Age Well is excited to announce its participation in the 23rd annual March for Meals, a nationwide campaign led by Meals on Wheels of America. This inspiring movement brings together communities across the country to support our aging neighbors and help them maintain their health and independence at home. As Vermont’s largest provider of Meals on Wheels, Age Well delivers over 300,000 meals each year, addressing food insecurity, malnutrition, and social isolation, while fostering the overall well-being of thousands in our community. 

VermontBiz In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Charity Clark announced the top 10 consumer complaints received by her office’s Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) in 2024. In keeping with past years, the top complaints involved vehicles, home improvement matters, and retail, which collectively represent 48 percent of all complaints filed in 2024. Attorney General Clark also today released CAP’s 2024 Annual Report in which the program details its record-high recoveries and savings for Vermont consumers, totaling more than $2 million.

“Vermonters should know that they have rights as consumers, and the Consumer Assistance Program is free and here to help navigate consumer problems that arise,” said Attorney General Clark. “Every day, the Consumer Assistance Program helps consumers and businesses resolve disputes, and last year returned $2 million in savings to Vermonters. Thank you for being our eyes and ears in reporting consumer problems to my office!”

VermontBiz Average gasoline prices in Burlington are unchanged in the last week, averaging $3.20/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 100 stations in Burlington. Prices in Burlington are 1.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 4.4 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 1.9 cents in the last week and stands at $3.629 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Burlington was priced at $3.09/g yesterday while the most expensive was $3.27/g, a difference of 18.0 cents per gallon. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.84/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 45.0 cents per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.04/g today. The national average is down 4.7 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 29.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) on Saturday released the following statement in reaction to President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s tumultuous meeting in the Oval Office with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday:    

Vermont Business Magazine Burke Mountain will be joining the Indy Pass roster for the 25-26 season. What does this mean? Indy pass holders get 2 all-day passes at each of 250 independent partner resorts (blackout dates apply), and special deals only available to Indy Passholders. There is also an option of the Indy+ pass which has no blackouts.