Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Promoted as the “Biggest Business Night of the Year,” the Southwestern Vermont Chamber's 2025 Annual Membership Meeting took place on Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Kimpton Taconic in Manchester, Vermont. This year's event highlighted the Chamber’s Vision 2027, a forward-thinking initiative that aims to cultivate a vibrant regional economy driven by innovation and collaboration where commerce thrives in harmony with the stunning natural landscapes and welcoming, diverse communities.

Northeastern Vermont Development Association The Department of Housing & Community Development and other state entities, engaged extensively with stakeholders and focus groups to gather ideas and suggestions for increasing affordable housing in and around state designated centers. The report outlines actionable recommendations to expand the housing supply, including updates to Act 250, increased funding for housing programs, infrastructure, the modernization of local bylaws, improving the appeals process, and exploring tax policy changes. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union is proud to partner once again with the National Guard Association of Vermont to support students from military backgrounds. Together, they are awarding $1,000 scholarships to four Vermont students: Colby Galipeau of Charlotte, VT will be attending Gordon College; Connor McNeil  of Oswego, NY will be attending Syracuse University; Abigail Gagnon of Shelburne, VT will be attending the University of Vermont; and Lily Korczykowski of Richmond, VT will be attending the College of Charleston. Students were selected from applicants who have served, or have a family member who has served in the Vermont National Guard. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on January 2, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Cedric Wormely, 58, of Birmingham, Alabama, with ten counts of wire fraud in connection with an alleged romance fraud scheme. Wormely had been previously charged by criminal complaint in September 2024. Wormely entered a plea of not guilty during an arraignment on February 3, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. Judge Doyle ordered that Wormely be detained during the pendency of this matter.

Vermont Business Magazine In the Senate Finance Committee today, Vermont Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch voted against advancing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Mr. Kennedy would be tasked with leading HHS’ ten public health service agencies and three human services agencies. “I want a disrupter in the health care system, and the one leading it. I don’t want a destroyer.”

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has directed his Administration to take a disciplined and measured approach to any major proposals coming from Washington, D.C. In last week’s meeting of the Governor’s Cabinet, Scott asked his team to remain disciplined, thoughtful and factual when evaluating and responding to changes in federal policy. This includes taking time to fully assess each proposal and distinguish between what is rhetoric, and what is real, in terms of impacts to Vermont. The governor noted that while there will be areas of disagreement, there may also be policy positions which could be beneficial to Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living and the Department of Health have released a report on progress made by Age Strong Vermont, the state’s dedicated effort to provide all people who live in Vermont the opportunity to thrive as they age. Age Strong VT serves as a roadmap for building a state that works for Vermonters across their lifespan. The goal of Age Strong VT is to ensure all Vermonters can look forward to enjoying a secure retirement, good health, access to housing and transportation, connection to community, and more in later life. The Age Strong VT Year 1 Highlights Report outlines progress made since the launch of the plan in 2024, and calls attention to key goals related to affordability, healthcare, housing and beyond. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that the number of COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations were fairly stable after a spiking a few weeks ago to their highest levels since early November. There were 4 fatalities since the previous week's report, which reported only 1 death. Hospitalizations held at just over 10 after being at their highest levels since October. Outbreaks increased slightly. Wastewater testing continues to show higher levels than in the fall, especially in Burlington and Montpelier. Outbreaks at long-term care facilities and schools increased slightly. Vermont has the second lowest state fatality rate in the US (144.4 per 100K; Hawaii 112.5/100K). Mississippi (461.3/100K) and Oklahoma (456.2/100K) have the highest rates. The US average is 305.1/100K (CDC data). 

Vermont Department of Health With the high prevalence of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarette, e-cigs or vapes) and increasing popularity of oral nicotine pouches among youth, teens and young adults, the Health Department Tobacco Control Program is educating on harms to consumers to prevent initiation and reduce nicotine use. As of 2023, 16% of Vermont high school students said they used e-cigarettes at least once in the past 30 days. Of those students, 37% did so daily. Our Voices Xposed (OVX) middle and high school student chapters representing the state’s youth-led movement to reduce youth vaping and smoking prevalence will march through downtown Montpelier February 11 at 10 am to rally at the State House.  

Vermont Business Magazine As millions of working class families struggle to afford the high prices of groceries, gas, rent and other basic necessities, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) announced today that they have introduced bipartisan legislation to cap credit card interest rates at 10 percent. In 2022, credit card companies generated an incredible $130 billion in interest and fees. Today, the American people hold a record-breaking $1.17 trillion in credit card debt. As of 2023, the average household with credit card debt has over $21,000 in credit card debt. The delinquency rate of credit cards issued by commercial banks is around 3.23%, the highest rate since 2011 in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced the Claim Your Money campaign, an initiative to return at least $1 million of unclaimed property to Vermonters in the month of February. The announcement was made in connection with National Unclaimed Property Day, Feb. 1 to encourage Vermonters to search for unclaimed property. Unclaimed property includes forgotten assets like uncashed checks, security deposits, investments, insurance proceeds, and other financial property. Financial institutions annually report these properties and turn them over to the state. The Treasurer’s Office safeguards assets until claimed by rightful owners or heirs. Unclaimed property can belong to individuals, businesses, nonprofits, local media organizations, government entities, and more. 

Vermont Business Magazine The American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter, Vermont Academy of Family Physicians, Vermont Medical Society and Vermont Psychiatric Association are deeply disappointed by the executive order issued by President Trump’s Administration on January 28, 2025, which seeks to restrict access to medically necessary, evidence-based health care for transgender youth. Policies like these cause harm, create confusion, and put unnecessary barriers between patients and the healthcare they need. Health care decisions should be made by patients, families, and medical professionals, not driven by intrusive and political ideology.