Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Lund is presenting the fourth annual 'Lund by the Lake' fundraising celebration, set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Champlain at Hula in Burlington on May 1st, 2025, at 5:00 PM. This year, we are thrilled to welcome Evergreen Roofing as our presenting sponsor, a testament to our shared commitment to building a Vermont where every family has the opportunity to thrive. RSVP for this inspiring evening at www.lundvt.org/lundbythelake. Together, we can continue to make a significant impact on the lives of Vermonters, fostering hope and creating opportunities for families in need.

Vermont Business Magazine Integrated Dermatology, the country’s largest independent dermatology provider, has partnered with Four Seasons Dermatology, led by Steven Partilo, MD, MPH, adding four new locations to its growing national network. Founded in 2004 by Dr. Partilo, Four Seasons Dermatology began with an office in Colchester, Vermont, and has expanded to include additional locations in Middlebury and Waterbury, Vermont, and Plattsburgh, New York, with plans to expand to Rutland, Vermont, early this year.

The Vermont State Police is investigating a car fire Monday morning, Feb. 17, 2025, in the town of Warren and the discovery of a body inside the vehicle. The fire was reported by a passerby at about 11:30 a.m. at a parking area at 500 Vermont Route 100. Members of the Warren Fire Department responded to the scene, extinguished the blaze, and located a deceased individual in the vehicle’s driver’s seat.

Vermont Business Magazine Representative Kate Nugent of South Burlington has introduced a bill, H. 233, An act relating to requirements for State-funded grants, to modernize how the State of Vermont and nonprofits meet their commitment to deliver quality, timely services to Vermonters. Vermont nonprofits deliver critical services and investments on behalf of the State through grant and contract agreements. These nonprofits include organizations responding to hunger, homelessness, youth services, refugee resettlement, and others. This longstanding partnership leverages the strength of public dollars and the agility of independent organizations for the benefit of taxpayers. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections today announced the death of Michael Myers, an incarcerated individual at Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) in Springfield. Michael Myers, 51, of Bennington, Vermont, had been incarcerated since 2016. On the morning of February 17, correctional and medical staff responded to his living unit to provide medical care in response to an apparent medical event. Life-preserving efforts were unsuccessful, and Springfield EMS declared Mr. Myers deceased. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Laurance & Mary Rockefeller Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation recently awarded $63,500 in grants to 22 organizations in its 2024 competitive grants round. Grants include a combination of awards to organizations supporting arts, social services, youth programming, and public health in Woodstock and its surrounding communities. The fund grants to organizations working to preserve and enhance the physical, cultural, spiritual, and wellness environment of the communities of Barnard, Bridgewater, Hartland, Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, and Woodstock.

Vermont Business Magazine As Town Meeting Day approaches, Burlington School District (BSD) is working hard to make sure taxpayers know that the District’s proposed $134.7 million budget will reduce tax rates by 4%. To ensure voters are aware of the tax impact, and have all the information they need to make an informed decision, BSD has published their 2024 Annual Report and a one-page sheet packed with budget information.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets The latest Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) impact report is now available! Since 2012, WLEI has supported Vermont agriculture and forestry businesses with vital investments that have helped grow their businesses and economic impact. With $18.8 million invested in 555 farm, food, and forestry projects, and an additional $30.9 million leveraged in matching funds, the Working Lands program has played an important role in the growth of Vermont’s rural economy. To celebrate these investments and their positive impacts, the WLEI Board has released the latest Impact Report detailing the significant outcomes from the entire 12 years of the program.

by Jules Older, Vermont Business Magazine It’s 2024, and my MacBook Pro’s battery is wearing down. I know this because the time between required plug-ins is shortening and because Apple lets you check these things when you call their free service number. What the hell — I've had this computer since 2017, and I kinda’ long for a shiny new one. So into the Apple Store I go. The guy confirms it — I need a new battery. Gonna cost me 250 bucks. I say, “Should I have this done or — pant, pant — buy a new computer?” He looks me in the eye. “Really? $250 vs $2500?”

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.14/g, up 0.5 cents per gallon from last week's $3.14/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.75/g while the highest was $3.35/g, a difference of 60.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has risen 2.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.11/g today. 

by Joyce Marcel, Vermont Business Magazine When people talk about Corinne Prevot, the young owner, founder and designer of the proudly made-in-Vermont outdoors accessories brand Skida, they often call her “a born entrepreneur.“ What exactly do they mean? “She’s just an awesome go-getter,“ said Jason Levinthal, the founder of J Skis, which sells handcrafted, limited-edition skis and ski wear in Burlington as well as on the internet. Levinthal collaborates on hat designs with Prevot and sells the Skida brand in his store. “She’s a hard worker, passionate and very creative,“ he said. “And she’s created a great brand.“ Being an entrepreneur doesn’t speak to a person’s intelligence as much as it does their approach to business, Levinthal said.

by Maggie Lenz and Nick Charyk on behalf of Atlas Government Affairs Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, is a tool that municipalities use to finance public infrastructure improvements, such as streets, sidewalks, and stormwater management, to support development. The improvements serve a designated TIF District, which must be approved by both the municipality and the state. Critics of TIF argue that it diverts tax revenue that would otherwise go into the education fund. They say the program is complicated, benefits only a handful of larger municipalities, and sometimes funds projects that would have happened anyways, without the subsidy. Supporters argue that TIF unlocks private development that wouldn’t happen otherwise, expanding the grand list and ultimately increasing revenue for the Education Fund.