Current News

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.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak announced that the city will open a cold weather emergency shelter at the Miller Center at 130 Gosse Court in response to the dangerously cold weather forecasted this weekend.  After reviewing weather modeling in consultation with the City’s Emergency Management Director, officials have determined the forecasted temperature on Monday evening, February 17, meets the City’s criteria for operation of an extreme cold weather shelter. Hours of operation will be 5:00 PM February 17– 8:00 AM February 18. The National Weather Service is currently forecasting evening temperatures diving well-below zero with windchill on Saturday evening, into the early morning hours on Sunday.   

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, convened Vermont businesses for a virtual roundtable January 31, 2025, to hear about the chaos caused by President Trump’s misguided tariff policies and his Trade War. Earlier this week, the president agreed to pause new 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico for 30 days, as well as 10% tariffs on imports of oil from Canada—which he had announced days prior, prompting immediate retaliation by Canada and Mexico. President Trump did not pause new 10% tariffs on imports from China. He has also threatened tariffs on imports from the European Union. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Developmental Disabilities Housing Initiative (DDHI) was honored at the Champlain Housing Trust annual membership dinner Thursday night. DDHI is a group of over 120 parents of individuals with Developmental Disabilities, who are working to create new peer residence housing for their family members in Vermont. DDHI was awarded the Carole Pack Volunteer Award, by the Board of Governance of Champlain Housing Trust. The award acknowledges overall advocacy for the 322 St Paul St housing project in Burlington. The project is part of a planning grant from Developmental Disabilities Service Division to create models for stable Service Supported Housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  

Vermont Business Magazine Mercy Connections is recruiting women to join its Vermont Women’s Mentoring program aimed at supporting incarcerated women to successfully reenter the community. The mentorship program seeks women in Vermont who wish to make a lasting impact on the lives of other women. The population of Vermont has grown almost 26% since 1980, according to the United States Census Bureau’s most recent historical population change data, meanwhile, the Prison Policy Initiative points to the more than 500% increase in the rate of incarcerated women in that same period. This alarming trend speaks to the urgent need for successful interventions to assist women in completing programs that are alternatives to incarceration. The programs also aim to not only support women with reentering the community, but to also not re-offend.

Vermont Business Magazine ZymoChem, the biotech company creating sustainable materials for everyday products, has announced the successful commercial-scale production of the key biopolymer ingredient used in its groundbreaking first product. This follows ZymoChem’s recent announcement of the launch of BAYSE, the world's first scalable, bio-based, microplastic-free, and biodegradable Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) as a drop-in replacement for traditional, fossil-based SAPs, a key component in disposable, absorbent hygiene products. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims increased for the week ending February 8, 2025, but remain under 400 as activity has leveled off. New claims were 370, up 22 claims from the week before and are 21 fewer from last year. The holiday season brings wild swings in claims as temporary workers are hired and then laid off. The stability of the last few weeks should last until the end of the ski season. Claims, which tend to be lowest in the summer, were 181 at the end of September 2024.